Okay, Okay, I know it has been 8 days since my first post, but I have been a very busy bee at work doing desktop publishing and going bleary-eyed over archival photos in preparation for our November 16th deadline to get the final volume of This Old House to the printers! It is officially being released on December 1st. I'll be able to breathe again in a couple weeks, but in the mean time, there won't be much time for anything else it seems.I did however, have time to read a fabulous book. It's called A Vintage Affair, by the very-talented Isabel Wolff. I am a sucker for a good chick-lit book, but I'll admit I often find the lead characters annoying, petty, and superficial in one form or another. I am generally referring to Rebecca Bloomwood of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series when I say that.
A Vintage Affair is different. The female protagonist, Phoebe Swift, is not weak or petty. She is independent, strong-willed, and inspiring. This present-day story takes place in the town of Blackheath, in England (sorry, my British geography is not up to par!). The story starts with Phoebe opening a vintage clothing boutique. She previously worked as an appraiser at Sotheby's, but she quit this job as part of many changes she made in her life after suffering a personal tragedy which is at the heart of this story. She meets an elderly French woman, Therese, who wants to sell Phoebe some of her old clothes. Phoebe notices a small blue coat hanging in Therese's closet, which Therese doesn't want to part with. The bittersweet story that's attached to this jacket takes the reader to German-occupied France during WWII. It is this story and the ending Phoebe brings to it that helps her face her personal tragedy and find a path to happiness.
What I liked about this book, aside from the touching story, is the description of the clothes! The author definitely did her homework. I highly recommend this read for anyone seeking a non-fluffy chick-lit book.
