Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Book review & giveaway!




Remember a while back when I mentioned The Collection, a fictional tale of a seamstress in Chanel's atelier? Well, since then I received a copy of the book from Simon & Schuster in exchange for a review. Given the number of other reviews that have been popping up on blogs recently, I'd say I'm not the only one who was approached!

Well I can honestly say that my daily bus commute has been pure pleasure, thanks to this novel.

You may already be familiar with the general storyline: Isabelle is a provincial girl with a natural passion for sewing, fitting, and apparel design. Thanks to a stroke of luck, she ends up working on rue Cambon in Gabrielle Chanel's atelier. The story that ensues could easily be turned into a movie, it includes elements of deception, egoism, passion, yearning, and jealousy.

While reading this novel I learned about:

- The organization & promotion of staff in the couture workrooms
- Garment development - from idea, to toile, to final masterpiece - in a couture house
- Fashion publicity of the time, which largely depended on celebrities wearing gowns to various parties and events, with the goal of having photographs of the garments showing up in newspapers (much like today's Academy Awards, etc)
- Style theft - cheap copies of unique, desirable garments - was as much of a problem then as now

Oh, and I will never look at a vintage Vogue Paris Original pattern by Jean Patou the same again..!

Bottom line: Reading this book is the next best thing to actually sewing.

************


And now for the giveaway!

Simon & Schuster was so generous in providing me a copy of this book, I want to pass along that love by giving it to one of my readers! Here are the details:

If you'd like a chance to win this book, leave a comment for me under this post anytime between now and Sunday, October 21 at 8:00 pm (20:00) PST (US west coast).

I will assign each entrant a sequential number based on the order in which the comments are received, i.e. 1, 2, 3, etc. On Sunday evening, I will use the random number generator to choose a number/winner. I'll announce who the lucky person is that evening.

International readers are welcome to participate! I'll gladly ship the book anywhere in the world.

(There are some faint marks on the outside of the book due to it being shuffled all over the city in my bag for 2 weeks. However, the dust jacket has been sitting on my nightstand the whole time and is in pristine condition...)

47 comments:

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I'd love to win this! :)

Beth said...

Sounds like a great book!

Anonymous said...

You'll post internationally?; you are gorgeous!!!! I've been reading your blog for quite a few months and love your reviews on PR. It's great to see some styling pieces from someone similar in age.

Anonymous said...

Anything that improves your bus ride has to be good! I want to enter too! :D

anastasia_falling@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this too...

Berry said...

This is my first comment on your blog though I am a faithful reader. Like most things you do, you make me want to read this book. I'm definitely in!

Anonymous said...

It sounded like a good read from your review! I'm game... :)

Sharon Sews said...

Wasn't this a fantastic book? Yes, Simon & Schuster sent me a copy in exchange for the review - I was a bit concerned about what I would write if I thought the book was horrible, but fortunately I LOVED it! My copy is already being passed around to my some of co-workers, who don't sew but love fashion. (Oh, don't enter me in the drawing...just wanted to post a comment)

TransplantedOkie said...

I keep hearing about this book so count me in!

Bonnie O. said...

I just picked this book up at the library after reading all the great reviews on sewers' blogs! I just started it but hope to get some quality time tonight to hunker down with it!

(No need to enter me in the drawing but thanks so much for your generosity!!)

Author said...

Sounds like a fantastic book.

Stephanie said...

I actually have this on my Amazon wishlist after seeing reviews on other blogs. I'd love to win it instead!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book!

flanthrower said...

Oooo! Sounds like a great story. I'd love to win this!

Anonymous said...

I have heard wonderful things about this book. I would love to read this sometime.

Emily said...

I've been wanting to read this book!

Jessica said...

Count me in...I love a good novel!

yaiAnn said...

Ooooh, I want in on the giveway! That book sounds fab. It's the second time I've read about it this week.

Bowen Family- Ashley said...

Count me in!!

Aquarijenn said...

Add me to the list. I have also read about this book twice this week. Sounds great! Thanks for your generous offer.r

Anonymous said...

All these great reviews really makes me want to read this book. I'd love to win it!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to win.

I blogged your giveaway in my Thursday Edition of Contests Galore

Mary said...

I've heard so many good things about this book! I would love a chance to win.

moreofhim said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. This sounds like such a great book based on your review. Thanks for offering the give-away!

Anonymous said...

I love to read this book too.
Please count me in.

Anonymous said...

I saw mention of this book on another blog and have been meaning to look for it. If it's commute-worthy, it must be good!

I should also say, I enjoy reading your blog. Your sewing projects always look great, and it's nice to see what others my age are doing!

Anonymous said...

I hope to someday sew a "couture" garment for myself so this sounds like a book I need to read. Plus, like you said, reading a great novel about sewing is the next best thing to actually sewing!

Lisette M said...

Looking forward to reading this book...I'll hold off requesting it at the library until your giveaway.

Reethi said...

Reviews for this have been popping up everywhere, and I'd love to read it...

Anonymous said...

My commute could use a good read! Count me in for the giveaway.

I'm at mrsmclennan at hot mail dot com.

Anonymous said...

Dying to know what happened with the Jean Patou dress! I'm in too.
It's great to see you in Burda English too - I always enjoy reading you reviews.

lori said...

Contests are always exciting -- and a good way to bring out the lurker, such as myself. I've been enjoying your sewing project. You've got a good sense of style too!

Tamara said...

I would also love to read this book! Thanks for doing this contest.

LH said...

Count me in on the drawing- sounds like a great read!d

Anonymous said...

You have pulled me from the shadowy world of lurking to say "I want to win this book". It looks terrific. How generous you are to pass it along. I horde all my books.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I'm in! The book is on my Amazon wish list and I would happily remove it if I won!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me, too!

Anonymous said...

Oooh I am feeling lucky! Book sounds great.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me...go random generator, go!

Nubby said...

would also like to be counted in!

Melissa said...

Sounds like a great read, add me please! :-)

Tearsa Smith said...

Pick me, pick me, pick me!!!

Anonymous said...

Please add me to your list! Everything I've heard about this book makes me excited at the prospect of reading it. Thanks!

Sherry in Little Rock

Anonymous said...

Count me in... Thanks!

julie at thingstocome dot com

Anonymous said...

Have been reading about this book on various blogs. Would love to win!!!

Tammy "SweetT" said...

I've read a couple of reviews and can't wait until I can get my hands on a copy.
Great blog!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a fun read! Count me in...