The Secret of Aging with Style & Attitude
August 5, 2013
Guiliano (French Women Don’t Get Fat), a former chief executive at LVMH, tackles the topic of aging gracefully in her latest advice book. Quite happy to be in her 60s, the author has “a foot in two countries,” with an American husband, a Manhattan apartment, and a home in Paris. She notes that Frenchwomen (with a life expectancy of 84) have an exceptional attitude toward aging—in France, many believe that old age begins at 80. While the average aging Frenchwoman knows how to be “bien dans sa peau ,” the United States suffers from a “youth-obsessed” and “results-oriented” culture. With her charmingly conversational tone, Guiliano walks readers through the mental and physical steps of aging with attitude, covering everything from cosmetics to spiritual life. Readers will find tips on hairstyles, makeup, healthy recipes, and eating tips, as well as general suggestions for nurturing one’s body as if it were a cherished garden. Guiliano maintains that aging has much more to do with how women think of themselves than with facelifts or outward appearances; nevertheless, dressing stylishly and appropriately, making time for sleep, play, love, laughter, and, of course, the occasional glass of wine are all part of the author’s uplifting attitude fix. Agent: Kathy Robbins, Robbins Office.
November 1, 2013
A new book from the author of French Women Don't Get Fat (2004). Former Clicquot Inc. CEO Guiliano's (The French Women Don't Get Fat Cookbook, 2010, etc.) new book is subtitled "The Secret of Aging with Style & Attitude." Readers will be forgiven if they think of "The Golden Girls," and if you are old enough to remember the show, you're probably the target audience for this book. The idea is that French culture has some unique cultural standards that enable French women to cheat the entropy of aging. Guiliano stresses the importance of attitude, and she devotes most of the first chapter to it; how we look at aging, she writes, can shift the effect it has on us. What would have made for a useful article in a magazine at this point devolves into "The Secret of Aging for Those with Lots of Disposable Income." From consideration of what top fashion designers can do to help you dress younger to touting expensive argan oil for the skin, Guiliano's target audience shrinks drastically. She tepidly raises concerns about Botox for wrinkles but then admits these concerns center mainly on the availability of top-tier doctors, wondering what could come of Botox treatments from the doctors the rest of us might use--and then, nudge-nudge, wink-wink, can't exactly say she'd rule it out. The author also includes recipes, and there's little to argue with in terms of her suggestions for eating healthier and avoiding fad diets. The author only makes brief mention of the media's unhealthy infatuation with the cult of youth, which drives women to feel self-conscious and obsessed with finding ways to look younger. Mostly frivolous reading--which is not to say it won't sell well.
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July 1, 2013
Guiliano, a former chief executive with LVMH (Veuve Cliquot), made publishing history with the million-copy best seller French Women Don't Get Fat, which launched not just a concept but a catchphrase. Though she's written lifestyle books since, this book parallels Fat in terms of focused advice related in classically sharp-witted Gallic style. It's aimed at women in their fifties and sixties--a big audience, 37 million strong. With a 100,000-copy first printing.
Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2013
Best-selling author Guiliano (French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating with Pleasure) presents an insightful guide to the French way of aging with style, grace, and attitude. She encourages midlife women to adopt French-inspired remedies for aging woes, such as antiaging foods, regular exercise, sufficient sunlight, proper skin care, and plenty of water. The book may sound simplistic, but there's ample information, written in an informal, conversational tone, on how to develop these healthy practices. The author provides a list of superfoods paired with easy-to-follow recipes, a straightforward skin-care routine, product recommendations, and ways to stay physically active. She also gives advice on addressing the inevitable physiological changes that occur during and after menopause. Like all works containing French beauty tips, this title stresses maintaining a positive attitude toward growing older. VERDICT What woman doesn't want to look and feel good in her later years? Here's a book that shows readers how to do so from a French perspective and that doesn't romanticize the culture. A thorough, practical, and engaging beauty manual that will resonate with readers. [See Q&A with the author on p. 112.]--Ajoke Kokodoko, Oakland P.L.
Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.