Customer Reviews

French Island Elegance

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read Dr. Connors' previous books, Caribbean Elegance and Cuban Elegance, I looked forward to French Island Elegance. I was not dissapointed.

Once again Dr.Connors has provided us with a well-researched and easily readable narrative accompanied by Bruce Buck's sumptuous photographs. The two of them have developed into a winning team.

French Island Elegance will not only look great on anyone's coffee table, but is a wonderful resource on a subject that heretofore has had none.

Sure this could be seen as another stylish table topper where we imagine ourselves sipping bellinis while overlooking fishermen--but what's rare in French Island Elegance when compared to the other three inch thick coasters, is that the author and photographer really did their homework. This is not an embellishment. It's not an ambiance bound between covers either. Connors discusses the rare qualities of Martinique, Guadaloupe, Marie-Galante, and Saint Martin in their own histories of sugar plantations and tobacco dynasties. He examines, quite aesthetically, how the cross section of economic and social histories compose a unique archicture and style not yet lost to the modern world--no, it's not just a pretty book for the coffee table after all.

This is a lovely book - suitable on any coffee table.
I had been looking for a book on Caribbean architecture - historic and contemporary, but had come up short and this book too, did not fit the bill. I found it is mostly about the FURNITURE of the French Caribbean islands. As such, it does an excellent job and in that way, it is fairly similar to the author's other book `Caribbean Elegance'. It certainly has the same look and I think some of the examples may be the same. The pictures are lovely, the furniture is quite unusual and the text proved interesting, though I could have had more.
The closest I have come to finding a book on Caribbean architecture is `Caribbean Style'.

Transaction: Very smooth. Book arrived immediately. Next to no wait time. In EXCELLENT condition. One would never know the pages have been turned. Very pleased. Would highly recommend.

The Book: Love, Love, Love it! French Island Elegance and style are captured beautifully in the photographs. Scenery is breath taking. Makes me wonder why I am sitting HERE and not THERE! I feel inspired. Time to bring a bit of island style to my space.

Thank you

Beautiful photos of private collections of French Carribbean furniture supplemented by a history lesson on the settlement and economic growth of the Carribbean Islands. History explains how politics and trade among the European nations influenced the birth and evolution of this furniture style.

Beautiful book, a fireside friend, lots of lavish pictures and interesting stories, this book is genuine stress therapy in itself, I first came across it in a genuine French fabric store for more than double Amazon's price, glad I waited and I'm delighted to own it.