Saturday, October 03, 2009

Vintage style

I have just read A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff, and it was just a perfectly lovely read. My only bugbear is the misleading quotes on the back of the book. From the Express, 'A warm, witty, romantic comedy. Perfect!' Now I suspect this is the fault of the publisher, Harper Collins, who may have used a quote from another of Isabel Wolff's books. This book was not a romantic comedy. It was very touching, and quite sad in places about a woman who has suffered great pain and re-starts her life by opening a vintage dress shop. The book is about the people she meets through her shop, and the magical effect her vintage clothes have on their lives. One of the people she meets has been harbouring a tragic secret since the second world war, and the story, although sad, is beautifully and movingly told. The descriptions of the clothes will make this story of interest to anyone interested in fashion. The history brings life to the characters, and the complicated relationships, add more drama and reality to the story. I really enjoyed it, although it wasn't what I was expecting, having read the reviews on the back cover.