23.2.10

Book Review: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff


My lovely sister lent me this book after telling me how much she had enjoyed it which I was pleased about as I had bought it her as a birthday present!

Isabel Wolff introduces us to the character of Phoebe Swift, she used to be an auctioneer at Sotheby's but she has finally realised her dream of opening her very own vintage clothes shop. Phoebe's new venture is going extremely well yet she is still haunted by the recent loss of her best friend Emma and this is impacting on her whole life. When she goes to pick up a collection of clothes she meets an elderly lady called Therese who has her own sad story to share. Phoebe cannot ignore the similarities between her and Therese's stories and even though they are incredibly sad, they also show her that she has to move on with her life and not shut herself away from love any longer.

This book is full of detail about vintage clothing which adds a really interesting element. Phoebe Swift has a real passion for clothing from the past as she loves to imagine the stories and previous lives of the garments in her shop. However, it is the past that is almost holding pack Phoebe's future until her chance meeting with Therese.

A Vintage Affair was a good read which I very much enjoyed. Isabel Wolff's writing is witty and entertaining yet there are many poignant moments in the book that I had not been expecting. It does deal with fashion and beautiful clothing but ultimately this books is about friendship, trust and love and the ways in which we have to open our hearts to them.

14 comments:

Hannah Stoneham said...

This sounds really good - not least because I am very interested in vintage clothes! thanks for sharing, hannah

Ng said...

I loved this book. Isabel Wolff is fab at writing an enjoyable story!

Bookalicious Ramblings said...

Thanks for the review! I've been wanting to read this one, although I'm not quite convinced by the synopsis, but so many people have been amazed by it that I'll simply have to give it a try sooner or later. :)

verity said...

I've enjoyed this one and the rest of Isabelle Woolf - she's definitely one of my favourite chick lit writers and the vintage clothes aspect was interesting

Dot said...

Hannah- you're welcome, if you're interested in vintage clothing then I think you would really enjoy this!

Leah- this is first one that I have read but I shall be looking out her others now.

Bookalicious Ramblings- It is really good, there were many unexpected parts to it, I really enjoyed Isabel Wolff's writing style.

Verity- I didn't realise that she had written so many but a few more will be going on the wish list now!

Kirsty said...

I'm the same as bookalicious. Synopsis doesn't really grab me, though the cover is gawgus. I think I have a copy somewhere.

Her earlier books are ace - tiffany trott, minty malone and rescuing rose are my faves :) Thanks for the review x

Dot said...

Kirsty- the cover is beautiful, that was the main reason that I bought it for my sister! I will have to check out her earlier books, they seem to have great titles!

Meg @ write meg! said...

The pink! With a gorgeous cover like that, I would hope the book would live up to my expectations. :) Glad you enjoyed it -- definitely sounds like something I would like, too!

Vicki said...

Glad you liked it, it's really surprising isn't it? I had no idea it would go the way it did.

Dot said...

Meg- I very much appreciated the pink too!

Rhiana- I was quite shocked as there wasn't really any hint of it!

Kim said...

After reading this review I happened to drop in to my local bookstore and there was an Isabel Wolff book, Forget Me Not, so, of course, I bought it. I managed to read it in an evening and really enjoyed it, too.
Now I have another author to look out for so thanks for a great review, Dot.

Dot said...

Kim- That's good, a few people have recommended that one, I shall have to get a copy!

Alayne said...

Haha, did you really write "not SHIT herself away from love" any longer? I definitely did a double take and thought I was crazy, but then I laughed out loud. :) Great review.
Alayne - The Crowded Leaf.

Dot said...

Alayne- Oooops I've only just noticed myself! Time for an edit I think!!

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