A lightweight story of an American woman living in London who comes across a 1960's guide to being elegant and how she uses and misuses the guidance to direct her life. ( )

I wish I could remember where I read a short blurb about this book that intrigued me enough to purchase a copy to read. I don't know what I expected but I just didn't expect what I read. The reading of this novel was quite a disappointment so would have enjoyed going back to read the blurb again that originally caught my attention to figure out the attraction. ( )

This is definitely chick-lit, but funny chick-lit. It's not anything new but I enjoyed it thoroughly and laughed out loud. It's also full of great fashion advice.

In most modern books, movies, etc. people state what losers they are and describe their bad behavior with no shame. This is supposed to be OK somehow, as if your faults are forgiven if you point them out yourself, and and it's even cute since "we all do it". The difference in this book is the main character learns from her mistakes, and actually changes. Isn't that what's supposed to happen in stories, and in real life? ( )

Haven't we all, at times, wished someone would just give us some rules for living that would relieve us from the need to make sensible decisions for ourselves? In a dated used book store "find" titled "Elegance," Louise believes she may have found just such a guide. Her marriage is failing, her job is not challenging and her sense of self is reeling as she tries to make over her own life. There are some delightful touches of humor here, blended with pathos and an understanding of how difficult and complex life can be in the 21st Century. ( )