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Book Reviews of Elegance

Elegance
Elegance
Author: Kathleen Tessaro
ISBN-13: 9780060522278
ISBN-10: 0060522275
Publication Date: 4/2004
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 83

3.5 stars, based on 83 ratings
Publisher: Avon Trade
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

20 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Elegance on + 93 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
One of the better chick lit books. Louise needs help -- in a passionless marriage, with no joy in her life, she turns to a book, then to the counsel of friends to find a way to live a life that is elegant -- elegant in that she feels accepted, desired and certain of her actions.
reviewed Elegance on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was about ten different books crammed into one storyline. While it was alright to read, it would have been better if the author chose just one story line and developed that. Found myself confused about the time line (does this take place over the course of weeks, months, years?) and didn't really like the main character all that much. Book left readers to do a lot of assuming about characters and the relationships with one another. Not one of those books that you finish and give a second thought to.
reviewed Elegance on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Finally! A chic lit genre story with some intellect.
bolgai avatar reviewed Elegance on + 109 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Louise is a 32 year old living in London with a closet full of shapeless brown garments, romance-free marriage and a job where nobody even notices she exists. One day at a second-hand book store she finds a volume entitled Elegance and decides to regain control of her life.

I don't keep books. In fact, I've decided to read everything in my book case and not buy anything new unless the library doesn't have what I want. And on the rare occasion that I do decide to keep a book it's because I've absolutely fallen in love with it. Guess what, about 3/4 of the way through I knew that this one is a keeper.
It hit all the right notes with its combination of humor and sadness, realism, insightfulness and beautiful writing. The language fit with the story, the characters were alive and relatable, Louise's best friends felt like your own best friends, when she succeeded to cheer and in the end it left me with a smile on my face. What can be better?

Read my other reviews at bibliophilescorner.blogspot.com
reviewed Elegance on + 232 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Want to find the answers to life in a second hand bookstore - Elegance did that for Louise Canova. Small servings of angst, laughter, lively mishaps, intimate details, voyeurs in a lingerie store fitting room, English country weekends all come together to take life down a new turn. Classic? Standards that never change - nice to know that some things never do.
reviewed Elegance on + 377 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An enjoyable chick lit read, I finished it in just a couple of hours. More bad language than I prefer, but I was pleased to find that unlike most chick lit, there was no sex in this book at all.
dbs avatar reviewed Elegance on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This finely wrought debut novel tells a Cinderella story of sorts about an unhappy thirtysomething woman who manages to turn her disastrous life around. Louise Canova hails from Pittsburgh but is currently living in London with her actor husband. Louise has severe self-esteem problems, a budding eating disorder, a complete lack of interest in any activity, and a growing sense that something isn't right with her marriage. One day, while browsing in a used bookstore, she comes across a style manual entitled Elegance, penned by a doyenne of Parisian style and grace. Captivated by the advice in the book, Louise begins to dress better (no more Birkenstocks and shapeless dresses), work out regularly, and sleep less, and she seeks more attention and respect from her husband. Tessaro is a skillful writer, and in her capable hands this subject receives the respect it deserves, with dark undertones from Louise's past rearing up unexpectedly throughout the story. Readers will enjoy following this harrowing journey of self-discovery, renewal, and reinvention to its uplifting conclusion.
jazzyheather avatar reviewed Elegance on + 37 more book reviews
Absolutely loved this book! I read it in a couple of hours. I could not stop the reading. It is a British Chick Lit and very usual. I was ready to find the Elegance.
MeganLog avatar reviewed Elegance on + 47 more book reviews
So cute and I love how Tessaro involved a real etiquette book that I HAD to wishlist once I had finished this one!
ElleS avatar reviewed Elegance on + 112 more book reviews
Cute story- sort of fizzled at the end-
Gamecock-RN avatar reviewed Elegance on + 64 more book reviews
Bridget Jones gets a makeover.
reviewed Elegance on + 216 more book reviews
Good summer read.
CocoCee avatar reviewed Elegance on + 404 more book reviews
Unhappy with her life, Louise Canova picks up a used out of print copy of Elegance, an A to Z manual from a French fashion expert, Madame Dariaux. Fabulous read!
reviewed Elegance on + 8 more book reviews
Loved this character! A fun book.
reviewed Elegance on + 46 more book reviews
pleasant/pleasing book about a woman searching for her personal style as she reshapes her life following a divorce, well written, slightly shallow, but fun
ElleS avatar reviewed Elegance on + 112 more book reviews
This is such a cute story- and Elizabeth McGovern narrates it GREAT!
Alot of fun for a long ride in the car-

These are CD's not audio cassettes.
ukulady avatar reviewed Elegance on + 91 more book reviews
Really cute
reviewed Elegance on + 10 more book reviews
From the back cover: Audrey Hepburn had it. Grace Kelly had it. Louise Canova does not. Elegance, that is. Nor does she have the answers to get her life, looks or marriage back on track. Then one day she discovers a faded hardback in a second-hand book shop. 'Elegance', an A-Z of style.............
reviewed Elegance on + 4 more book reviews
Nice beach or holiday read.
reviewed Elegance on + 124 more book reviews
A Cinderella story of sorts about an unhappy thirtysomething woman who manages to turn her disastrous life around. Louise Canova hails from Pittsburgh but is currently living in London with her actor husband. Louise has severe self-esteem problems, a budding eating disorder, a complete lack of interest in any activity, and a growing sense that something isn't right with her marriage. One day, while browsing in a used bookstore, she comes across a style manual entitled Elegance, penned by a doyenne of Parisian style and grace. Captivated by the advice in the book, Louise begins to dress better (no more Birkenstocks and shapeless dresses), work out regularly, and sleep less, and she seeks more attention and respect from her husband.

You must read the book to learn more.