The Sunday Times bestseller and one of the most talked-about novels of 2003, now in paperback.

Elegance. Audrey Hepburn had it. Grace Kelly had it. Louise Canova does not.

Until one day, browsing in a second-hand bookshop, Louise stumbles over a faded hardback. Elegance is an A-Z of style, written by French fashion expert, Madame Antoine Dariaux: a veritable what-not-to-wear in print.

When Louise starts to follow Madame's advice, her life is transformed. From Accessories to Zippers, there is nothing Madame cannot advise upon, including types of husband (the blind, the ideal, the dictator) and shopping with girlfriends (don't).

Within the book's pages Louise finds clues to her own past. And as she begins to unravel them, she discovers a courage she never thought possible. For true elegance cannot be attained until she is comfortable in her own skin: only then might love flourish.

About the Author

Born in Pittsburgh, Kathleen Tessaro studied drama before emigrating to London. After ten years working as an actress in films, television, and theatre, she left the profession and spent several years working for the English National Opera, while training in the evenings as a drama teacher and voice coach.

During this time, she began to write. Working on short stories during her lunch hour, she soon became a regular member of the Wimpole Street Writers Workshop, a collection of women authors who meet every week.

She is married and lives in North London. Elegance is her first novel.

Reviews

'Ultra-smart and classily edgy, this is the glitz novel brought up to date.' SUNDAY TIMES

'More heart than you'll ever find on a catwalk...Written with elan and panache.' DAILY MAIL

'Funny, charming and a certain bestseller.' IN STYLE

'A perfect pick-me-up.' COSMOPOLITAN

'This is a book all women will identify with, and you'll adore Louise, who's every bit as charmingly neurotic and nutty as Bridget Jones.' GLAMOUR

'A brilliant read with fashion advice thrown in!' NEW WOMAN

'Poignantly funny.' EXPRESS

'A true handbag read, an easy diversion from real life.' GUARDIAN

Book Information
ISBN 9780007151431
Author Kathleen Tessaro
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 26mm