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Precious Things
A gorgeous, enthralling and intricate mystery, with love, life and fashion entwining in a story of a mysterious beaded collar and the young woman who finds it. One for fans of Kate Morton.'Clothes - particularly vintage and antique ones - are my weakness' Kelly DoustSpinning her love of stories, vintage fashion and frocks into an enchanting and enthralling novel of mothers and daughters, marriage, families and desire, bestselling author Kelly Doust's Precious Things is a story about how we so often reach out for the sparkly, shiny things (and people) we desire, only to realise - in the nick of time - that the most precious things are the ones we've had with us all along.Maggie is an auctioneer living in modern-day London, who comes across an intriguing crumpled, neglected beading collar in a box of old junk, and sets out on an unexpected mission to resucitate it to its original glittering glory. On a hunt to uncover its secret and elusive past, she discovers more about its journey through time in the hands of the women who made it, loved it, desired it and lost it.Maggie has a journey of her own too. Juggling a demanding job, a clingy young child and a rebellious stepdaughter, and with her once-solid marriage foundering under the pressure of a busy life, Maggie has to find out the hard way that you can't always get what you want... but sometimes, you're lucky enough to get precisely what you need.Kelly Doust is the bestselling author of a number of books on craft and fashion, including Minxy Vintage and A Life in Frocks. She's written for Vogue and Sunday Life magazine, and worked in the UK and Hong Kong. She now lives in Sydney.'Precious Things tells the compelling story of a modern woman while weaving the fascinating and mysterious stories of many women from the past two centuries. What links each of them is a beautiful, precious thing - a bejeweled and mysterious coronet ... A wonderful and unusual story... an impressive debut.' Good Reading'Wonderful storytelling - I was betwitched' Charlotte Smith, bestselling author of Dreaming of Dior'Beautifully written and downright enchanting. Every character had a story and each story connected and drew me in to the point that I couldn't put the book down until I found out all their endings.' mybookdiary.com
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2016
9 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Doust
15 books32 followersKelly Doust is the author of the novels 'Dressing the Dearloves' and 'Precious Things'; 'A Life in Frocks' (a memoir); vintage fashion bible 'Minxy Vintage: how to customise & wear vintage clothing' and The Crafty Minx series of craft books.
With a background in book publishing and publicity, Kelly has worked in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia, and has freelanced for Vogue, Australian Women’s Weekly and Sunday Life Magazine.
She currently lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and daughter and works as a Lifestyle Publisher for Murdoch Books.
With a background in book publishing and publicity, Kelly has worked in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia, and has freelanced for Vogue, Australian Women’s Weekly and Sunday Life Magazine.
She currently lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and daughter and works as a Lifestyle Publisher for Murdoch Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 24, 2016
A very enjoyable read.
My View:
This is a rather remarkable read. It is subtle; the individual sub stories/chapters are personal and intimate and slowly draw you into to the overarching story – of Maggie’s life and her daily struggles juggling paid work, motherhood and relationships. I found Kelly Doust’s writing to be intelligent and her observations of relationships and family to be insightful and honest. The more I read of this novel the more invested I was in Maggie’s life, the more I found myself agreeing with her observations.
This was not the story I thought I would be reading – I admit to assuming that this would be a light and unassuming read – it was the opposite; intelligent, engaging, and brilliantly observational of women’s lives and rights at various points in history; all individual stories connected by their relationship to one piece of extraordinary cloth – very well plotted and visually stunning, intelligently written, 5 stars from me!
My View:
This is a rather remarkable read. It is subtle; the individual sub stories/chapters are personal and intimate and slowly draw you into to the overarching story – of Maggie’s life and her daily struggles juggling paid work, motherhood and relationships. I found Kelly Doust’s writing to be intelligent and her observations of relationships and family to be insightful and honest. The more I read of this novel the more invested I was in Maggie’s life, the more I found myself agreeing with her observations.
This was not the story I thought I would be reading – I admit to assuming that this would be a light and unassuming read – it was the opposite; intelligent, engaging, and brilliantly observational of women’s lives and rights at various points in history; all individual stories connected by their relationship to one piece of extraordinary cloth – very well plotted and visually stunning, intelligently written, 5 stars from me!
April 10, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery with a difference.
In present day London, Maggie - an antiques valuer and auctioneer with a specialisation in textiles - discovers an intricately beaded vintage item, which she thinks could be either a collar or a coronet/crown of sorts. She carefully cleans it and becomes so smitten with the piece that she takes it along with her as part of her show-and-tell on a daytime TV interview. Later she is approached by Francesca, who saw the interview and thinks she recalls the coronet from her dim and distant childhood. Maggie agrees to find out more about the provenance of the coronet to help Francesca find the answers she is looking for.
From there, the book alternates between Maggie's story and little vignettes about the previous owners of the coronet, including Aimee who made it by hand for her wedding in 1890. It journeys from France to Shanghai, to Malaysia, to Italy and finally to England.
The only thing that bothered me about this book was that despite repeated descriptions of the item, I just couldn't really picture it in my mind. It was made as a collar to be attached to a wedding dress, then used by a few owners as a head-dress, and then at one point Maggie considered wearing it as a choker. I just struggled to imagine what such a versatile item would look like. But this is so minor... I liked the writing, loved the story, and looked forward to picking it up every time I had a few minutes to read.
In present day London, Maggie - an antiques valuer and auctioneer with a specialisation in textiles - discovers an intricately beaded vintage item, which she thinks could be either a collar or a coronet/crown of sorts. She carefully cleans it and becomes so smitten with the piece that she takes it along with her as part of her show-and-tell on a daytime TV interview. Later she is approached by Francesca, who saw the interview and thinks she recalls the coronet from her dim and distant childhood. Maggie agrees to find out more about the provenance of the coronet to help Francesca find the answers she is looking for.
From there, the book alternates between Maggie's story and little vignettes about the previous owners of the coronet, including Aimee who made it by hand for her wedding in 1890. It journeys from France to Shanghai, to Malaysia, to Italy and finally to England.
The only thing that bothered me about this book was that despite repeated descriptions of the item, I just couldn't really picture it in my mind. It was made as a collar to be attached to a wedding dress, then used by a few owners as a head-dress, and then at one point Maggie considered wearing it as a choker. I just struggled to imagine what such a versatile item would look like. But this is so minor... I liked the writing, loved the story, and looked forward to picking it up every time I had a few minutes to read.
December 15, 2016
There are some excellent ideas and issues contained within this book, with its eye-catching cover. I have seen other GR readers rate this book very highly, which pricked my enthusiasm. However, for me the story fell flat and I was rather underwhelmed. I think the concept was great (though not original) and the plot lines worked well. For me the writing style was not well-polished, and downright clunky in parts. It was like the author had enrolled at a university Creative Writing course, and had scored a B+ for Novel Writing 101...
I found it hard to warm to the characters of Maggie and her petulant daughter Pearl. Maggie was constantly wracked with guilt about something or another, and I kept wanted to say "Oh for God's sake, get over yourself Maggie!"
The other thing that truly annoyed me was the elaborate appendices that appeared after the end of the novel. Kelly Doust is a first time novelist, this being her debut foray into creative writing. To my amazement, the end of the book contains a set of reading notes, like you'd see for a book club discussion, a timeline for the precious thing, the coronet (which, appallingly, contains the big spoiler for all to read, grrr) and a list of the books which inspired Kelly. OMG I thought, talk about a big head - this is not Jodi Picoult or Di Morrissey. The sheer presumption of this additional material got right up my nose. Perhaps, if the book had been a real gem, I might have been more forgiving. It is, rather, a mediocre effort, which disappointed me because there was so much potential for a pearler of a book...
I found it hard to warm to the characters of Maggie and her petulant daughter Pearl. Maggie was constantly wracked with guilt about something or another, and I kept wanted to say "Oh for God's sake, get over yourself Maggie!"
The other thing that truly annoyed me was the elaborate appendices that appeared after the end of the novel. Kelly Doust is a first time novelist, this being her debut foray into creative writing. To my amazement, the end of the book contains a set of reading notes, like you'd see for a book club discussion, a timeline for the precious thing, the coronet (which, appallingly, contains the big spoiler for all to read, grrr) and a list of the books which inspired Kelly. OMG I thought, talk about a big head - this is not Jodi Picoult or Di Morrissey. The sheer presumption of this additional material got right up my nose. Perhaps, if the book had been a real gem, I might have been more forgiving. It is, rather, a mediocre effort, which disappointed me because there was so much potential for a pearler of a book...
January 1, 2021
Have you ever gone vintage shopping and wondered about the history of the precious things you find? That's the main idea behind Precious Things by Kelly Doust.
The story is centred in the present day around Maggie who loves her job at an auction house. She gets to spend her days finding precious things. The only problem is she is finding it difficult to keep up with her job and her family life at the same time.
When she finds a gorgeous hand-made beaded piece she winds up playing detective to try and trace the origins of her latest acquisition for a lady, Francesca, who is certain that it holds the key to finding the truth about her birth parents.
Maggie manages to trace the origins of the piece from its origins in Normandy, France, where it was made by Aimee to wear as a collar for her wedding dress. The collar becomes a head-piece when it finds its way to Lexi the trapeze artist in Paris, 1926. Zephyr the dancer takes ownership of it in Shanghai, 1926 only to have it stolen from her and taken to the family of artist, Christian Hunt where it falls into the hands of his ill-treated muse, Isabella. The final destination of the piece is with Ulrika the supermodel who wears it as an adornment on her dress in Istanbul, 1974.
While the majority of the novel focuses on Maggie, her family and work life, and her quest to find out the mystery surrounding Francesca's heritage, each of the owners of the piece have their own chapters to tell their stories. I really love a good time slip novel and this one had such a wide range of times and places included.
Originally posted at https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
The story is centred in the present day around Maggie who loves her job at an auction house. She gets to spend her days finding precious things. The only problem is she is finding it difficult to keep up with her job and her family life at the same time.
When she finds a gorgeous hand-made beaded piece she winds up playing detective to try and trace the origins of her latest acquisition for a lady, Francesca, who is certain that it holds the key to finding the truth about her birth parents.
Maggie manages to trace the origins of the piece from its origins in Normandy, France, where it was made by Aimee to wear as a collar for her wedding dress. The collar becomes a head-piece when it finds its way to Lexi the trapeze artist in Paris, 1926. Zephyr the dancer takes ownership of it in Shanghai, 1926 only to have it stolen from her and taken to the family of artist, Christian Hunt where it falls into the hands of his ill-treated muse, Isabella. The final destination of the piece is with Ulrika the supermodel who wears it as an adornment on her dress in Istanbul, 1974.
While the majority of the novel focuses on Maggie, her family and work life, and her quest to find out the mystery surrounding Francesca's heritage, each of the owners of the piece have their own chapters to tell their stories. I really love a good time slip novel and this one had such a wide range of times and places included.
Originally posted at https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
July 12, 2016
Precious Things is the delicate tale of the history, lives and loves behind an exquisite antique dress collar. Woven into this intricate novel is the story of a young woman in the present day, Maggie, who discovers the collar in an abandoned box in her job as an antiques auctioneer. Upon her unearthing of the collar, Maggie feels inspired to find out the origins of the collar. What follows is an absorbing journey that takes Maggie from modern day London, right across the globe to a range of colourful cities and forgotten eras in time.
Precious Things contains an ambitious and far reaching narrative. Through Maggie, who discovers the collar in present day, the reader discovers that the origins of the lace collar dates back to 1891, where a young woman in Normandy sews it to her wedding dress. The collar then makes its journey across countries and time as it skips from Shanghai to Rome and Istanbul. As Maggie unfurls the mystery of the many owners of the lace collar, she also deals with various life problems. The reader learns that Maggie is struggling to cope with the demands of a troubled step daughter, repair her crumbling marriage and juggle her demanding young daughter with her career aspirations. These are day to day troubles that many readers will find they can relate to. As the history of the collar is revealed through Maggie’s investigations, Maggie also learns about the importance of holding onto her own ‘precious things’.
Precious Things is an earnest novel for a debut author. Kelly Doust draws on a subject she is familiar with, her background in writing about craft and design gives her good standing to begin her first novel. Doust shares her passion for uncovering the hidden histories of fashion pieces in an absorbing style through the process of writing her novel, Precious Things. I absolutely loved the concept of this novel and the prologue on the conception of the collar had me hooked. As a fan of op shop and vintage pieces, I am often left wondering about the hidden history behind these items. Doust explores this idea well, offering a wide range of appealing storylines, locations and eras to the piece in question, a beaded collar. These parts of the novel held me captive, I loved many of the stories so much that I wanted more depth and a continuation of these aspects of the collar’s story. Maggie is an essential part of piecing together the story of the collar, but there were times I felt bogged down by her host of problems. I longed to move away from Maggie’s difficulties at times and return to one of the many interesting threads on the collar’s owners. On the whole, I was impressed by the novel and where it was able to transport its reader.
Precious Things is a contemporary women’s fiction novel that focuses on the areas central to our being - love, family, marriage and career. It also offers the reader more by sewing a patchwork of histories together that are united by a fascinating fashion object, a beaded collar. Precious Things is a multi layered and dazzling first novel by an author I am looking forward to reading more from.
*This review also appears in my blog:
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com...
Precious Things contains an ambitious and far reaching narrative. Through Maggie, who discovers the collar in present day, the reader discovers that the origins of the lace collar dates back to 1891, where a young woman in Normandy sews it to her wedding dress. The collar then makes its journey across countries and time as it skips from Shanghai to Rome and Istanbul. As Maggie unfurls the mystery of the many owners of the lace collar, she also deals with various life problems. The reader learns that Maggie is struggling to cope with the demands of a troubled step daughter, repair her crumbling marriage and juggle her demanding young daughter with her career aspirations. These are day to day troubles that many readers will find they can relate to. As the history of the collar is revealed through Maggie’s investigations, Maggie also learns about the importance of holding onto her own ‘precious things’.
Precious Things is an earnest novel for a debut author. Kelly Doust draws on a subject she is familiar with, her background in writing about craft and design gives her good standing to begin her first novel. Doust shares her passion for uncovering the hidden histories of fashion pieces in an absorbing style through the process of writing her novel, Precious Things. I absolutely loved the concept of this novel and the prologue on the conception of the collar had me hooked. As a fan of op shop and vintage pieces, I am often left wondering about the hidden history behind these items. Doust explores this idea well, offering a wide range of appealing storylines, locations and eras to the piece in question, a beaded collar. These parts of the novel held me captive, I loved many of the stories so much that I wanted more depth and a continuation of these aspects of the collar’s story. Maggie is an essential part of piecing together the story of the collar, but there were times I felt bogged down by her host of problems. I longed to move away from Maggie’s difficulties at times and return to one of the many interesting threads on the collar’s owners. On the whole, I was impressed by the novel and where it was able to transport its reader.
Precious Things is a contemporary women’s fiction novel that focuses on the areas central to our being - love, family, marriage and career. It also offers the reader more by sewing a patchwork of histories together that are united by a fascinating fashion object, a beaded collar. Precious Things is a multi layered and dazzling first novel by an author I am looking forward to reading more from.
*This review also appears in my blog:
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com...
May 23, 2016
Um, so I possibly loved this way more than I should have, and definitely way more than expected.
One thing about this book: It is not boring.
You may be wondering why I have the need to clarify that? Well, you see, generally when I pick up book like this I am bored to death by the end of chapter one.
Contemporary books, especially ones with a historical fiction aspect, can be so slowwwwww. But not this one.
Honestly, right from the beginning I was hooked. I wanted to know what will happen to Maggie's job, her marriage and her relationship with her parents; I wanted to know Stella's story; and I wanted to know what happened to all the women into whose lives the coronet entered.
This book was beautifully written and downright enchanting. Every character had a story and each story connected and drew me in to the point that I couldn't put the book down until I found out all their endings.
Precious Things intertwined contemporary and historical, and ordinary and mysterious, in a perfect balance. Maggie's struggles to deal with her modern life - as a working mother trying to find a balance between career and family - serve as a sharp contrast with the struggles of Aimee in 1800's France, where the story of the coronet all began.
Despite what some reviewers seem to say, this book is not a light "chick lit" read. It has depth and character, and touches upon deeper issues in a not-so-lighthearted way. In fact, I would say that Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul was a lighter read than this book - despite dealing with much more serious issues than trying to juggle marriage and career.
If you want to read a well written story about women and their realities during various periods of history, as well as their struggles during various different periods of their lives, then pick this one up. You won't regret it.
One thing about this book: It is not boring.
You may be wondering why I have the need to clarify that? Well, you see, generally when I pick up book like this I am bored to death by the end of chapter one.
Contemporary books, especially ones with a historical fiction aspect, can be so slowwwwww. But not this one.
Honestly, right from the beginning I was hooked. I wanted to know what will happen to Maggie's job, her marriage and her relationship with her parents; I wanted to know Stella's story; and I wanted to know what happened to all the women into whose lives the coronet entered.
This book was beautifully written and downright enchanting. Every character had a story and each story connected and drew me in to the point that I couldn't put the book down until I found out all their endings.
Precious Things intertwined contemporary and historical, and ordinary and mysterious, in a perfect balance. Maggie's struggles to deal with her modern life - as a working mother trying to find a balance between career and family - serve as a sharp contrast with the struggles of Aimee in 1800's France, where the story of the coronet all began.
Despite what some reviewers seem to say, this book is not a light "chick lit" read. It has depth and character, and touches upon deeper issues in a not-so-lighthearted way. In fact, I would say that Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul was a lighter read than this book - despite dealing with much more serious issues than trying to juggle marriage and career.
If you want to read a well written story about women and their realities during various periods of history, as well as their struggles during various different periods of their lives, then pick this one up. You won't regret it.
September 14, 2021
3,5/4 ⭐
NL scroll⬇️
What a lovely, mysterious surprise this book was! This wasn't the flimsy in-between read I had taken it for.
The story is really about a handmade collar/tiara, its female owners and more importantly: what it does to them.
Current-day Maggie represents most of the pages, but along with the collar, we travel through different times and places to meet some interesting and extraordinary women.
The book is written in a pleasant manner, the story is captivating and it even had me shedding some tears.
A subtle sort of gem that shouldn't remain hidden!
--------------------------------------
Wat een heerlijke en mysterieuze verrassing was dit boek! Dit was niet het niemendalletje voor tussendoor waar ik het voor aan had gezien.
Het eigenlijke verhaal gaat over een handgemaakte halsketting/diadeem, haar vrouwelijke eigenaren en nog belangrijker: wat deze met hen doet.
De hedendaagse Maggie krijgt de meeste pagina's, maar tezamen met het sieraad reizen we door verschillende tijden en plaatsen om interessante en bijzondere vrouwen te leren kennen.
Het boek is op plezierige wijze geschreven (leest lekker weg), het verhaal is pakkend en ik moest zelfs wat traantjes wegpinken.
Een subtiel juweeltje wat niet verstopt moet blijven!
NL scroll⬇️
What a lovely, mysterious surprise this book was! This wasn't the flimsy in-between read I had taken it for.
The story is really about a handmade collar/tiara, its female owners and more importantly: what it does to them.
Current-day Maggie represents most of the pages, but along with the collar, we travel through different times and places to meet some interesting and extraordinary women.
The book is written in a pleasant manner, the story is captivating and it even had me shedding some tears.
A subtle sort of gem that shouldn't remain hidden!
--------------------------------------
Wat een heerlijke en mysterieuze verrassing was dit boek! Dit was niet het niemendalletje voor tussendoor waar ik het voor aan had gezien.
Het eigenlijke verhaal gaat over een handgemaakte halsketting/diadeem, haar vrouwelijke eigenaren en nog belangrijker: wat deze met hen doet.
De hedendaagse Maggie krijgt de meeste pagina's, maar tezamen met het sieraad reizen we door verschillende tijden en plaatsen om interessante en bijzondere vrouwen te leren kennen.
Het boek is op plezierige wijze geschreven (leest lekker weg), het verhaal is pakkend en ik moest zelfs wat traantjes wegpinken.
Een subtiel juweeltje wat niet verstopt moet blijven!
April 5, 2018
Absolutely loved this novel read in eAudio book format, what a wonderful narration by Mel Hudson who carefully and cleverly brings to life the wonderful cast of characters Maggie, Tim, Stella and Pearl as well as the many stories that take us back to the start to where the thread is first woven and the intrigue begins. There are so many layers as we look back at the path of a coronet - a beady and sparkly little treasure which touches the lives of Aimee, Bella, Lily, Francesca and Ulricha -it has so much to reveal, particularly to Maggie who comes across the coronet and who does her best to unveil its secrets and in doing so learns about herself and faces her own past. Beautifully written and I seem more drawn to this type of story after reading The Last Painting of Sara De Vos, The Naturalist's Daughter and now this - love the intrigue, love the research and love the characters that are drawn into the picture to help put the pieces together. Very clever and very enjoyable.
May 21, 2016
I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
But before my copy arrived I had the opportunity to listen to an audio book version.
For me, the narrator is the make or break of an audio book and I think this narrator did a great job.
I really enjoyed delving into the different time lines and journey of the beaded coronet.
As with most dual timeline stories, it is the modern day version I enjoyed the most. I really felt for Maggie as she struggled with the complexities of her lifestyle, work and family.
A great touch of escapism.
But before my copy arrived I had the opportunity to listen to an audio book version.
For me, the narrator is the make or break of an audio book and I think this narrator did a great job.
I really enjoyed delving into the different time lines and journey of the beaded coronet.
As with most dual timeline stories, it is the modern day version I enjoyed the most. I really felt for Maggie as she struggled with the complexities of her lifestyle, work and family.
A great touch of escapism.
April 5, 2021
The cast of characters and the establishment of the a timeline, and not chronologically, made this book an audiobook version of a page turner.
I sat in my car after arriving at work seeking a couple of extra minutes to listen to this audiobook because I was enjoying it, and curious to figure out the mystery of where this lace collar or coronet had been.
Maggie, the main character, had plenty of flaws to make her character interesting, but really she was bit boring. The intense and tangential detail described as thoughts in the middle of conversations or actions was OTT as I had forgotten the real action while being taken on a wild goose chase through Maggie's internal monologue.
I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, but the historical aspects made it great, and the ending was well deserved and satisfying.
I sat in my car after arriving at work seeking a couple of extra minutes to listen to this audiobook because I was enjoying it, and curious to figure out the mystery of where this lace collar or coronet had been.
Maggie, the main character, had plenty of flaws to make her character interesting, but really she was bit boring. The intense and tangential detail described as thoughts in the middle of conversations or actions was OTT as I had forgotten the real action while being taken on a wild goose chase through Maggie's internal monologue.
I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, but the historical aspects made it great, and the ending was well deserved and satisfying.
February 6, 2018
"Manches, was man sieht, kann man nicht mehr ungesehen machen."
Zum Cover: Ich muss ja gestehen, dass mich das Cover erst auf die Leserunde, durch die ich glücklicherweise dieses Buch lesen durfte, und demnach überhaupt darauf aufmerksam wurde. Es ist sehr geheimnisvoll, auch wenn ich sagen muss, dass ich nicht weiß, was ich von der Art der Abschneidung des Gesichts der Frau halten soll. Ich meine, mir ist auch klar, dass die Person vielleicht nicht komplett drauf sein soll, aber Photographisch ist das wahrlich keine unbedingte Glanzleistung. Also schon, ja, es ist gut photographiert, doch das war nur eben mal mein ästetischer Gedanke daran. Ansonsten wirkt das Cover sehr düster, nicht im Sinne von "dunkel" oder "böse", sondern eher von "Vorsicht wahren".
Zum Inhalt: Über die Suche nach Glück, das oft viel näher liegt, als man denkt! ~ Maggie ist Auktionatorin und lebt mit ihrer Familie in London. Eines Tages stößt sie auf einen aufwändig gearbeiteten Kragen und ist wie elektrisiert: Wer hat diese Kostbarkeit gefertigt, und wie kam sie nach London?
Die Geschichte des Kragens beginnt in der Normandie 1891, wo Aimée ihn als Schmuck für ihr Hochzeitskleid anfertigt. Er gelangt dann in die Hände der Pariser Trapezartistin Lexi, von dort an die Tänzerin Zephyr in Shanghai, dann über Rom, zum Maler Christian Hunt und seiner Muse Isabella, und schließlich nach Istanbul zu Ulrika, einer ehamligen Krankenschwester und späterem Model. Schlussendlich gelangt es nach London, unter anderem zu Maggie.
Hinreißende Episoden, die das Lebensgefühl von Frauen zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten und in unterschiedlichen Metropolen beschreiben, wechseln ab mit der Geschichte Maggies, die in der heutigen Zeit (so um 2014) vor allem mit den Problemen einer berufstätigen Mutter kämpft.
Meine Meinung: Offen gestanden, muss ich den Schreibstil der Autorin in diesem Fall einmal total loben, denn dieser ist ein absoluter Genuss. Er ist flüssig lessbar und detailiert, aber dabei auch nicht zu überladen. Das überträgt sich demnach auch auf die Atmosphäre in London, Paris, Rom, Istanbul und Shanghai in den einzelnden Jahresabschnitten, wie im Inhalt erwähnt. Aber auch die Charaktere waren sehr athentisch dargestellt, wenn auch Micheal, ein sogenannter Kunde von Maggie, relativ flach wirkt. Da fand ich auch den Plot am Ende mit ihm etwas zu schnell abgehandelt. Ja, gut, vielleicht sollte es extra so sein, aber ich dachte, ehrlich gesagt, erst, dass ich ein paar Seiten überblättert hätte. Und er war letztlich auch nicht noch einmal vorgekommen, wie aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn.
Das war aber die einzige Ausnahme an Charakteren und da die anderen so zahlreich sind, versuche ich mal ein paar der wichtigsten aufzuzählen, die bei mir sehr dolle hängen geblieben sind: Maggie, Tim, Pearl, Stella, Kate, Lola, Jean, Spencer, Oskar, Aimeé, Lexi, Isabella, Francesca, Ulrika.
Und ja, Spencer ist mir gerade auch durch die Szene im Antiquitätenladen im Kopf geblieben, weil ich diese besonders schön beschrieben fand - da wäre man am liebsten gleich selbst am Schnökern gewesen, zumindest ging es mir irgendwie so. Eine unverwechselbare Stimmung, die genauso auf den Rest des Buches zutrifft, und das Ende hat mich echt nicht mehr losgelassen, weil ich innerlich so zufrieden war. Gut, dazu muss man sagen, dass es schon ziemlich "Happy-End"-haft ist, aber ich meine, eh das Buch mich irgendwie runtergezogen hätte, bin ich doch lieber glücklich. Und Bücher sollen schließlich gute Unterhaltung sein.
Fazit: Wieder einmal fast mehr schwärmende Töne als alles andere, aber dennoch bekommt "Aimeés geheimer Wunsch" von mir bloß sehr gut 4 Sterne. Wie gesagt, bei der einen Stelle mit Micheal hätte ich mir gerne noch etwas mehr Erklärung gewünscht - auch wenn ich ihn eigentlich nicht mochte -, aber mich hätte schon interessiert, was aus ihm geworden ist. Und dann hat mir generell auch noch so das Pünkchen auf dem I-Punkt gefehlt, damit ich diesem Buch die Höchstbewertung hätte geben können.
Zum Cover: Ich muss ja gestehen, dass mich das Cover erst auf die Leserunde, durch die ich glücklicherweise dieses Buch lesen durfte, und demnach überhaupt darauf aufmerksam wurde. Es ist sehr geheimnisvoll, auch wenn ich sagen muss, dass ich nicht weiß, was ich von der Art der Abschneidung des Gesichts der Frau halten soll. Ich meine, mir ist auch klar, dass die Person vielleicht nicht komplett drauf sein soll, aber Photographisch ist das wahrlich keine unbedingte Glanzleistung. Also schon, ja, es ist gut photographiert, doch das war nur eben mal mein ästetischer Gedanke daran. Ansonsten wirkt das Cover sehr düster, nicht im Sinne von "dunkel" oder "böse", sondern eher von "Vorsicht wahren".
Zum Inhalt: Über die Suche nach Glück, das oft viel näher liegt, als man denkt! ~ Maggie ist Auktionatorin und lebt mit ihrer Familie in London. Eines Tages stößt sie auf einen aufwändig gearbeiteten Kragen und ist wie elektrisiert: Wer hat diese Kostbarkeit gefertigt, und wie kam sie nach London?
Die Geschichte des Kragens beginnt in der Normandie 1891, wo Aimée ihn als Schmuck für ihr Hochzeitskleid anfertigt. Er gelangt dann in die Hände der Pariser Trapezartistin Lexi, von dort an die Tänzerin Zephyr in Shanghai, dann über Rom, zum Maler Christian Hunt und seiner Muse Isabella, und schließlich nach Istanbul zu Ulrika, einer ehamligen Krankenschwester und späterem Model. Schlussendlich gelangt es nach London, unter anderem zu Maggie.
Hinreißende Episoden, die das Lebensgefühl von Frauen zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten und in unterschiedlichen Metropolen beschreiben, wechseln ab mit der Geschichte Maggies, die in der heutigen Zeit (so um 2014) vor allem mit den Problemen einer berufstätigen Mutter kämpft.
Meine Meinung: Offen gestanden, muss ich den Schreibstil der Autorin in diesem Fall einmal total loben, denn dieser ist ein absoluter Genuss. Er ist flüssig lessbar und detailiert, aber dabei auch nicht zu überladen. Das überträgt sich demnach auch auf die Atmosphäre in London, Paris, Rom, Istanbul und Shanghai in den einzelnden Jahresabschnitten, wie im Inhalt erwähnt. Aber auch die Charaktere waren sehr athentisch dargestellt, wenn auch Micheal, ein sogenannter Kunde von Maggie, relativ flach wirkt. Da fand ich auch den Plot am Ende mit ihm etwas zu schnell abgehandelt. Ja, gut, vielleicht sollte es extra so sein, aber ich dachte, ehrlich gesagt, erst, dass ich ein paar Seiten überblättert hätte. Und er war letztlich auch nicht noch einmal vorgekommen, wie aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn.
Das war aber die einzige Ausnahme an Charakteren und da die anderen so zahlreich sind, versuche ich mal ein paar der wichtigsten aufzuzählen, die bei mir sehr dolle hängen geblieben sind: Maggie, Tim, Pearl, Stella, Kate, Lola, Jean, Spencer, Oskar, Aimeé, Lexi, Isabella, Francesca, Ulrika.
Und ja, Spencer ist mir gerade auch durch die Szene im Antiquitätenladen im Kopf geblieben, weil ich diese besonders schön beschrieben fand - da wäre man am liebsten gleich selbst am Schnökern gewesen, zumindest ging es mir irgendwie so. Eine unverwechselbare Stimmung, die genauso auf den Rest des Buches zutrifft, und das Ende hat mich echt nicht mehr losgelassen, weil ich innerlich so zufrieden war. Gut, dazu muss man sagen, dass es schon ziemlich "Happy-End"-haft ist, aber ich meine, eh das Buch mich irgendwie runtergezogen hätte, bin ich doch lieber glücklich. Und Bücher sollen schließlich gute Unterhaltung sein.
Fazit: Wieder einmal fast mehr schwärmende Töne als alles andere, aber dennoch bekommt "Aimeés geheimer Wunsch" von mir bloß sehr gut 4 Sterne. Wie gesagt, bei der einen Stelle mit Micheal hätte ich mir gerne noch etwas mehr Erklärung gewünscht - auch wenn ich ihn eigentlich nicht mochte -, aber mich hätte schon interessiert, was aus ihm geworden ist. Und dann hat mir generell auch noch so das Pünkchen auf dem I-Punkt gefehlt, damit ich diesem Buch die Höchstbewertung hätte geben können.
April 14, 2016
In the contemporary storyline we meet Maggie, an auctioneer trying to find balance between motherhood, marriage and her career. When she buys a box of old items for herself from an auction, she thinks nothing further of its contents until one day when she is scrabbling around in it and comes across a beautifully crafted coronet.
It is when someone sees a picture in the newspaper of the coronet and approaches Maggie about helping her with some research into the item’s origins that the story begins to unfurl and Maggie’s life begins to veer seductively off course as she is drawn into the history, mystery and seduction of the object as it casts its shadow over the already lacklustre clarity of her own life, leading her to question exactly what it is that is precious to her.
Much like Kelly Doust, I have always been captivated by vintage items (especially furniture) and the stories they have to tell, often finding myself dreaming about where these precious pieces come from and what paths they have trodden on their passage through the generations.
Although I was initially confused with the structure, jumping between the various people who have owned the collar through the decades, that confusion soon lifted once I figured out what Kelly was trying to convey through her story and I began to just enjoy the stories for what they were - of the journey of a “precious thing” through love, heartbreak, grief, blood, sweat and tears, as it transformed from part of a wedding dress in 1890’s Normandy to a circus performer’s coronet in 1920’s Shanghai, coming into the possession of an artist’s muse in 1950’s Rome, until it found its way into Maggie’s life.
These shorter historical storylines are vibrantly rich, both in character and setting, contrasting strongly against the chilly air of the current day England and the life in which Maggie lives and I can only imagine how much research went into this book because the historical details feel so authentic.
There is no doubt that Kelly is passionate about vintage items, after all she has already published a number of non-fiction books on the subject, because this passion for beautiful objects bleeds through into the story with sumptuous detail as she brings her own vintage expertise and knowledge to this beguiling novel.
Beautifully detailed and intricately layered, Kelly’s writing has such a gentle cadence to it that it’s not a book to be picked up lightly and read in one sitting … it’s one to read slowly and savour as she transports you back and forth in time to exotic destinations which are evocatively described and vividly painted.
So, because it’s getting to that time of year when the chilly, shorter days of winter are slowly creeping up on you, why don’t you pour a glass of wine, curl up on your favourite armchair, drape a lovingly cherished vintage blanket over your feet and enjoy this escapist tale of duty, despair, desire, family, love and fashion.
It is when someone sees a picture in the newspaper of the coronet and approaches Maggie about helping her with some research into the item’s origins that the story begins to unfurl and Maggie’s life begins to veer seductively off course as she is drawn into the history, mystery and seduction of the object as it casts its shadow over the already lacklustre clarity of her own life, leading her to question exactly what it is that is precious to her.
Much like Kelly Doust, I have always been captivated by vintage items (especially furniture) and the stories they have to tell, often finding myself dreaming about where these precious pieces come from and what paths they have trodden on their passage through the generations.
Although I was initially confused with the structure, jumping between the various people who have owned the collar through the decades, that confusion soon lifted once I figured out what Kelly was trying to convey through her story and I began to just enjoy the stories for what they were - of the journey of a “precious thing” through love, heartbreak, grief, blood, sweat and tears, as it transformed from part of a wedding dress in 1890’s Normandy to a circus performer’s coronet in 1920’s Shanghai, coming into the possession of an artist’s muse in 1950’s Rome, until it found its way into Maggie’s life.
These shorter historical storylines are vibrantly rich, both in character and setting, contrasting strongly against the chilly air of the current day England and the life in which Maggie lives and I can only imagine how much research went into this book because the historical details feel so authentic.
There is no doubt that Kelly is passionate about vintage items, after all she has already published a number of non-fiction books on the subject, because this passion for beautiful objects bleeds through into the story with sumptuous detail as she brings her own vintage expertise and knowledge to this beguiling novel.
Beautifully detailed and intricately layered, Kelly’s writing has such a gentle cadence to it that it’s not a book to be picked up lightly and read in one sitting … it’s one to read slowly and savour as she transports you back and forth in time to exotic destinations which are evocatively described and vividly painted.
So, because it’s getting to that time of year when the chilly, shorter days of winter are slowly creeping up on you, why don’t you pour a glass of wine, curl up on your favourite armchair, drape a lovingly cherished vintage blanket over your feet and enjoy this escapist tale of duty, despair, desire, family, love and fashion.
May 30, 2016
Oh you pretty things… Kelly Doust’s debut novel is a celebration of all things precious. It’s a rich, historic fiction book that intricately threads together the stories of the owners of a beaded coronet. This fashion piece is like a cat with nine lives because over the course of the book we learn that it has lived in different countries and continents and has enjoyed being reinvented as a choker, headband, collar and artwork.
Doust has previously written five non-fiction books about craft and fashion. For “Precious Things” the author tapped into her love of vintage clothing by offering a vibrant account of the different people that wore the collar and their own individual stories. This begins with a woman that is about to get married to a man she barely knows in Normandy and then to death-defying acts with a trapeze artist at a circus. There are dancers in Shanghai and an artist’s muse and model in Italy and eventually it was used by a different model during a now-famous magazine shoot. The main thing is the piece belonged to some very strong, independent and important women through time.
The flashbacks are evocative and lush but there are also a lot of different stories and these could have been fleshed out a little more or at least visited more than once (in some instances). It is often the case that the reader may find themselves getting into the groove of a particular voice or character only to be drawn into a new life of the collar or into the present day. The current owner of the collar is Maggie, an auctioneer working in London and juggling the busy demands of family, a career and being a loving wife and mother. Her character is the one that features the most prominently through the book.
Kelly Doust should be applauded for coming up with such a creative idea and for crafting such an ambitious novel that threads together so many different elements. In addition to all of this, Doust has also managed to capture one important common thread and that is the insatiability of the human spirit and how love and family should prevail and be considered more important than our wants and desires. This novel is for anyone who has ever looked at something and thought, “If only it could talk” because it offers a very vivid, romantic and imaginative tale that celebrates life, love and lust through the ages.
**NB: I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
Doust has previously written five non-fiction books about craft and fashion. For “Precious Things” the author tapped into her love of vintage clothing by offering a vibrant account of the different people that wore the collar and their own individual stories. This begins with a woman that is about to get married to a man she barely knows in Normandy and then to death-defying acts with a trapeze artist at a circus. There are dancers in Shanghai and an artist’s muse and model in Italy and eventually it was used by a different model during a now-famous magazine shoot. The main thing is the piece belonged to some very strong, independent and important women through time.
The flashbacks are evocative and lush but there are also a lot of different stories and these could have been fleshed out a little more or at least visited more than once (in some instances). It is often the case that the reader may find themselves getting into the groove of a particular voice or character only to be drawn into a new life of the collar or into the present day. The current owner of the collar is Maggie, an auctioneer working in London and juggling the busy demands of family, a career and being a loving wife and mother. Her character is the one that features the most prominently through the book.
Kelly Doust should be applauded for coming up with such a creative idea and for crafting such an ambitious novel that threads together so many different elements. In addition to all of this, Doust has also managed to capture one important common thread and that is the insatiability of the human spirit and how love and family should prevail and be considered more important than our wants and desires. This novel is for anyone who has ever looked at something and thought, “If only it could talk” because it offers a very vivid, romantic and imaginative tale that celebrates life, love and lust through the ages.
**NB: I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
July 4, 2016
Precious Things is one of my favourite adult fiction books of the year. It’s a slow-burner, but it’s beautifully written with wonderful characters and hidden historical gems.
Kelly Doust has done a marvellous job of writing an adult fiction book that resembles historical fiction as well as contemporary fiction. Precious Things follows many characters throughout the past few centuries, however the main character is Maggie, an auctioneer in modern-day London. She comes across a crumpled, neglected collar in a box of old junk, and sets out on an unexpected mission to discover more about its secret and elusive past.
Whilst this happens, Kelly has interwoven chapters in the book about who owned the collar in the past. In Normandy, France in 1891, a young woman sews the beaded collar to her wedding dress the night before her marriage to someone she barely knows. And then in Shanghai in 1926, we come across a dancing sensation Zephyr who finds that same collar discarded on a ballroom floor. There are many other characters that are explored in this novel, all who have come across this collar at some point in their lives, holding special meaning for them and the reader. The collar has passed through the hands of many talented young people, but not for long.
It’s hard not to fall in love with these characters. They’re kind-hearted, devoted, passionate, and struggling. The collar seems to come into their lives when they most need some kind of good luck charm. And as quickly as it enters their lives, it departs, finding itself a new owner and a new life to latch onto.
Kelly juggles all of the storylines extremely well. Not once did I feel confused, and I read this book in two sittings. It’s not a complicated storyline, but it is full of emotional turmoil and heartbreak. It forces the reader to become active when engaging with this book, and not passive. It’s impossible to not relate to these characters or feel anything for them. They all have flaws and faults, but they’re all driven and deserving of an easy life. And tragedy seems to befall quite a few of them.
This novel explores desire, marriage, relationships, friendships and family, and illustrates that the thing or things we most cherish or desire can be gone all too quickly. Precious Things is an absorbing tale with fascinating characters and storylines, and I recommend this book to everyone.
http://jessjustreads.com
Kelly Doust has done a marvellous job of writing an adult fiction book that resembles historical fiction as well as contemporary fiction. Precious Things follows many characters throughout the past few centuries, however the main character is Maggie, an auctioneer in modern-day London. She comes across a crumpled, neglected collar in a box of old junk, and sets out on an unexpected mission to discover more about its secret and elusive past.
Whilst this happens, Kelly has interwoven chapters in the book about who owned the collar in the past. In Normandy, France in 1891, a young woman sews the beaded collar to her wedding dress the night before her marriage to someone she barely knows. And then in Shanghai in 1926, we come across a dancing sensation Zephyr who finds that same collar discarded on a ballroom floor. There are many other characters that are explored in this novel, all who have come across this collar at some point in their lives, holding special meaning for them and the reader. The collar has passed through the hands of many talented young people, but not for long.
It’s hard not to fall in love with these characters. They’re kind-hearted, devoted, passionate, and struggling. The collar seems to come into their lives when they most need some kind of good luck charm. And as quickly as it enters their lives, it departs, finding itself a new owner and a new life to latch onto.
Kelly juggles all of the storylines extremely well. Not once did I feel confused, and I read this book in two sittings. It’s not a complicated storyline, but it is full of emotional turmoil and heartbreak. It forces the reader to become active when engaging with this book, and not passive. It’s impossible to not relate to these characters or feel anything for them. They all have flaws and faults, but they’re all driven and deserving of an easy life. And tragedy seems to befall quite a few of them.
This novel explores desire, marriage, relationships, friendships and family, and illustrates that the thing or things we most cherish or desire can be gone all too quickly. Precious Things is an absorbing tale with fascinating characters and storylines, and I recommend this book to everyone.
http://jessjustreads.com
April 5, 2016
A beaded collar, found scrunched at the bottom of a box of old junk. What’s its story? That’s what Maggie, a modern-day auctioneer in London, wonders when she finds the collar, cleans it, and recognises that once, long ago, it was someone’s precious thing. Drawing on her own love of finding precious things, author Kelly Doust delivers a captivating read about the things in life we hold dear, both material and emotional.
When Maggie is asked to find out more about the collar’s history, she’s more than happy to follow through. It intrigues her, glittering with the promise of secrets: “…it seemed somehow…alive, almost.” For the reader, who is privy to more of the collar’s secrets than Maggie will ever discover, the collar has a fascinating story, beginning as a wedding dress adornment, and morphing into a beaded headpiece (or coronet) worn as part of a costume. The collar is present at weddings, births, deaths and separations – all themselves precious or critical memories in its various owners’ lives.
For Maggie, this mission to uncover the collar’s background leads to a greater understanding of herself and her own story; it becomes attached to her own story when it draws attention away from her family and marriage, putting her already-pressured marriage on the line. Readers will see this theme throughout the narrative, of the deceptive nature of shiny, sparkly things, and how they can distract from what really matters in life. All of the collar’s owners learn important life lessons, but for some the lessons have greater consequences. That’s life … that’s people.
Doust has crafted an intricate tale that is engaging on a number of levels. Many readers will relate to Maggie – juggling motherhood, marriage and the desire for a career. They will appreciate the desire to ‘have it all’ without being judged for trying to do so. I also related to Maggie for her love of story – many times I have wondered about the stories behind the old objects I’ve come across in op shops, markets and antique shops. Other readers will relate to the other characters, some of whom have fleeting moments of narrative, but still manage to convey much about desire, love and things they hold dear.
When Maggie is asked to find out more about the collar’s history, she’s more than happy to follow through. It intrigues her, glittering with the promise of secrets: “…it seemed somehow…alive, almost.” For the reader, who is privy to more of the collar’s secrets than Maggie will ever discover, the collar has a fascinating story, beginning as a wedding dress adornment, and morphing into a beaded headpiece (or coronet) worn as part of a costume. The collar is present at weddings, births, deaths and separations – all themselves precious or critical memories in its various owners’ lives.
For Maggie, this mission to uncover the collar’s background leads to a greater understanding of herself and her own story; it becomes attached to her own story when it draws attention away from her family and marriage, putting her already-pressured marriage on the line. Readers will see this theme throughout the narrative, of the deceptive nature of shiny, sparkly things, and how they can distract from what really matters in life. All of the collar’s owners learn important life lessons, but for some the lessons have greater consequences. That’s life … that’s people.
Doust has crafted an intricate tale that is engaging on a number of levels. Many readers will relate to Maggie – juggling motherhood, marriage and the desire for a career. They will appreciate the desire to ‘have it all’ without being judged for trying to do so. I also related to Maggie for her love of story – many times I have wondered about the stories behind the old objects I’ve come across in op shops, markets and antique shops. Other readers will relate to the other characters, some of whom have fleeting moments of narrative, but still manage to convey much about desire, love and things they hold dear.
April 25, 2016
3.5
If you love vintage or antiques, if you’ve ever wondered about the story behind the items in the antiques store, you’ll adore Precious Things, a tale of Maggie, a modern woman at a cross-road in her career and life, who explores the history behind a beaded collar that is more than a century old.
Stitched together by Maggie’s story are vignettes of the collar’s history, from the woman who created it to its various owners and the family mystery which the collar’s discovery helps reveal. These snippets of life at various times throughout history are often so vibrant I was almost always sorry when they were finished. Maggie’s story is typically contemporary—a difficult relationship with her step-daughter, a busy husband and fractious child demanding her attention at home all compete with her desire for career fulfilment in her challenging role of auction house manager.
Doust paints wonderful pictures of Maggie’s world. The details about the clothes and items she deals with at work are beautiful, though some of the characterisations in the contemporary storyline were a little thin to fully engross me in this part of the story. I adored the vignettes. Each one is filled with rich characterisation and felt like it could have been an entire story on its own. The skill to make them so alive in so few words is exceptional.
Precious Things is a novel that can be enjoyed on many levels. Maggie’s work/family dilemma is a story that will speak to many of us; her passion for the fashion, accessories and furniture she discovers in her work will resonate for anyone with an appreciation for history; Doust has the young bride-to-be who creates it stitch some words into the collar and keeps us guessing throughout the novel as to her fate and what she wrote. There is, in fact, so much going on with this novel that I found it difficult to keep the collar’s previous owners straight in my head (a problem resolved by the very helpful timeline in the back of the book), and I sometimes struggled to know which threads I should focus on. Mystery is my preference, so I followed that. And I enjoyed puzzling it out.
A wonderfully escapist read.
My copy courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley
If you love vintage or antiques, if you’ve ever wondered about the story behind the items in the antiques store, you’ll adore Precious Things, a tale of Maggie, a modern woman at a cross-road in her career and life, who explores the history behind a beaded collar that is more than a century old.
Stitched together by Maggie’s story are vignettes of the collar’s history, from the woman who created it to its various owners and the family mystery which the collar’s discovery helps reveal. These snippets of life at various times throughout history are often so vibrant I was almost always sorry when they were finished. Maggie’s story is typically contemporary—a difficult relationship with her step-daughter, a busy husband and fractious child demanding her attention at home all compete with her desire for career fulfilment in her challenging role of auction house manager.
Doust paints wonderful pictures of Maggie’s world. The details about the clothes and items she deals with at work are beautiful, though some of the characterisations in the contemporary storyline were a little thin to fully engross me in this part of the story. I adored the vignettes. Each one is filled with rich characterisation and felt like it could have been an entire story on its own. The skill to make them so alive in so few words is exceptional.
Precious Things is a novel that can be enjoyed on many levels. Maggie’s work/family dilemma is a story that will speak to many of us; her passion for the fashion, accessories and furniture she discovers in her work will resonate for anyone with an appreciation for history; Doust has the young bride-to-be who creates it stitch some words into the collar and keeps us guessing throughout the novel as to her fate and what she wrote. There is, in fact, so much going on with this novel that I found it difficult to keep the collar’s previous owners straight in my head (a problem resolved by the very helpful timeline in the back of the book), and I sometimes struggled to know which threads I should focus on. Mystery is my preference, so I followed that. And I enjoyed puzzling it out.
A wonderfully escapist read.
My copy courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley
June 25, 2021
Precious Things by Australian author Kelly Doust follows a handmade beaded collar through history to the present, touching on the women who owned it and wore it in the past.
Maggie is an auctioneer in London and she comes across the collar in a box of neglected lace and fabric and is immediately drawn to it.
Interspersed between Maggie's narrative of busy family life in present day London, are individual vignettes from the previous owners of the collar, from 1890s France to the present day. Despite being written by the same author, each of the characters had their own distinct voice and setting, and as a reader I appreciated the skill required to accomplish this.
I loved the little sketches breaking up some of the content within the chapters, but I was soooo glad there was a timeline at the back, detailing the women who had owned and worn the collar/coronet so I could refer to it at the end.
When it comes to presentation, Precious Things was the most thoughtful and beautiful advanced review copy I've ever received. You can see in the photo on my blog that it came wrapped with lace and ribbon, several postcards with quotes and a precious thing, a candle holder. Given author Kelly Doust has worked in the publishing industry herself, this should come as no surprise but it still made an impression I won't forget.
The cover design for Precious Things is wonderful, however my only gripe is that the collar on the cover doesn't match the description of the collar/coronet in the novel and I so desperately wish that it did. The collar in the novel had a recurring fleur de lis pattern, and I just don't see that in the lace collar on the cover.
If you're a fan of Kate Morton, historical fiction, vintage items and dual timelines, then Precious Things is for you.
* Copy courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers Australia *
Original review published on my blog: http://www.carpelibrum.net/2016/04/re...
Maggie is an auctioneer in London and she comes across the collar in a box of neglected lace and fabric and is immediately drawn to it.
Interspersed between Maggie's narrative of busy family life in present day London, are individual vignettes from the previous owners of the collar, from 1890s France to the present day. Despite being written by the same author, each of the characters had their own distinct voice and setting, and as a reader I appreciated the skill required to accomplish this.
I loved the little sketches breaking up some of the content within the chapters, but I was soooo glad there was a timeline at the back, detailing the women who had owned and worn the collar/coronet so I could refer to it at the end.
When it comes to presentation, Precious Things was the most thoughtful and beautiful advanced review copy I've ever received. You can see in the photo on my blog that it came wrapped with lace and ribbon, several postcards with quotes and a precious thing, a candle holder. Given author Kelly Doust has worked in the publishing industry herself, this should come as no surprise but it still made an impression I won't forget.
The cover design for Precious Things is wonderful, however my only gripe is that the collar on the cover doesn't match the description of the collar/coronet in the novel and I so desperately wish that it did. The collar in the novel had a recurring fleur de lis pattern, and I just don't see that in the lace collar on the cover.
If you're a fan of Kate Morton, historical fiction, vintage items and dual timelines, then Precious Things is for you.
* Copy courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers Australia *
Original review published on my blog: http://www.carpelibrum.net/2016/04/re...
June 6, 2016
I popped the book on my bookshelf and thought to myself, 'I'll get to it in a little while...' but for one reason or another, I found myself picking it up and reading it straight away.
The main character in Precious Things isn't a person; it's a coronet, the lace embroidered collar which takes pride of place on the front cover. Maggie, an auctioneer living in present-day London, comes across the coronet in one of the old estate houses she visits to find antiques and vintage collections. Maggie becomes mesmerised by the collar as she starts to wonder where it originated from and what it might have been worn with or used for.
At the same time as Maggie is pondering its history, we as readers are exposed, chapter by chapter, to the coronet's history by the characters whose lives it touched from the far distant corners of the earth before it arrived into Maggie's life in 2016. We hear from circus performers, soon-to-be brides, models, and a wide range of characters as the coronet comes into their possession and plays a role in their story. I really liked hearing form such a wide range of characters throughout different times in history, especially as most of the character's are women. It's an interesting look at the position of women, from a range of different backgrounds, as they plot their lives and find their meaning.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I listened to half of it on audio book through BorrowBox and read half of it in paperback. If you're interested in historical fiction and the history behind vintage items you'll love Precious Things by Kelly Doust.
The main character in Precious Things isn't a person; it's a coronet, the lace embroidered collar which takes pride of place on the front cover. Maggie, an auctioneer living in present-day London, comes across the coronet in one of the old estate houses she visits to find antiques and vintage collections. Maggie becomes mesmerised by the collar as she starts to wonder where it originated from and what it might have been worn with or used for.
At the same time as Maggie is pondering its history, we as readers are exposed, chapter by chapter, to the coronet's history by the characters whose lives it touched from the far distant corners of the earth before it arrived into Maggie's life in 2016. We hear from circus performers, soon-to-be brides, models, and a wide range of characters as the coronet comes into their possession and plays a role in their story. I really liked hearing form such a wide range of characters throughout different times in history, especially as most of the character's are women. It's an interesting look at the position of women, from a range of different backgrounds, as they plot their lives and find their meaning.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I listened to half of it on audio book through BorrowBox and read half of it in paperback. If you're interested in historical fiction and the history behind vintage items you'll love Precious Things by Kelly Doust.
April 6, 2017
Der Schreibstil von Kelly Doust war sehr angenehm für mich, aber ich muss zugeben, dass ich mir ein bisschen schwer getan habe, in die Geschichte hineinzufinden. Das könnte natürlich auch daran liegen, dass ich derzeit lieber Hardcovers als eBooks lese.
Maggie, die Auktionatorin aus London, ist der Hauptcharakter, aber zwischendurch werden viele Kapitel aus der Perspektive der anderen Frauen geschildert, die den mysteriösen perlenbestickten Stoff vor Maggie besessen haben. Die anspruchsvollen Sprünge zwischen Jetzt-Zeit und Damals haben mich ziemlich verwirrt. Das liegt wahrscheinlich daran, dass die anderen Frauen jeweils nur kurz vorgestellt wurden und Maggie meine Favoritin war.
Maggies Geschichte hat mich sehr berührt und in ihre Situation als gestresste berufstätige Mutter konnte ich mich total gut hineinversetzen. Als Auktionatorin entdeckt sie immer wieder wunderschöne alte Stücke. Sie versucht, die Herkunft des Stoffes ausfindig zu machen und deckt dabei eine tragische Familiengeschichte auf. Das hilft ihr, das Glück bei ihrer eigenen Familie zu finden.
Ein zutiefst ergreifendes Buch über innige Mutter-Tochter-Beziehungen, die alle Hürden überwinden.
Vielen Dank an den Kiepenheuer&Witsch-Verlag für das Rezensions-eBook!
Maggie, die Auktionatorin aus London, ist der Hauptcharakter, aber zwischendurch werden viele Kapitel aus der Perspektive der anderen Frauen geschildert, die den mysteriösen perlenbestickten Stoff vor Maggie besessen haben. Die anspruchsvollen Sprünge zwischen Jetzt-Zeit und Damals haben mich ziemlich verwirrt. Das liegt wahrscheinlich daran, dass die anderen Frauen jeweils nur kurz vorgestellt wurden und Maggie meine Favoritin war.
Maggies Geschichte hat mich sehr berührt und in ihre Situation als gestresste berufstätige Mutter konnte ich mich total gut hineinversetzen. Als Auktionatorin entdeckt sie immer wieder wunderschöne alte Stücke. Sie versucht, die Herkunft des Stoffes ausfindig zu machen und deckt dabei eine tragische Familiengeschichte auf. Das hilft ihr, das Glück bei ihrer eigenen Familie zu finden.
Ein zutiefst ergreifendes Buch über innige Mutter-Tochter-Beziehungen, die alle Hürden überwinden.
Vielen Dank an den Kiepenheuer&Witsch-Verlag für das Rezensions-eBook!
June 3, 2016
There were so many relateable moments in this book!
The way Maggie had to try and balance her family life and her career is something I think a lot of parents will find familiar. I like the way the author explored the guilt involved as well and how difficult it can be sometimes to know if you are doing the right thing when sacrifices have to be made.
The family's growing needs and her aspirations for a career that is starting to show a lot of promise are both vying for her undivided attention and this puts a lot of pressure on the relationships involved.
The book also explores the ways in which we covet things, whether it is another person we yearn for or a treasured item and how wanting these things has a way of possessing us and taking over our better sensibilities.
I enjoyed the shift between each character and getting to travel in their different lifestyles.
Although there are many stories being told they do have a continuity that ties the whole book together nicely.
The way Maggie had to try and balance her family life and her career is something I think a lot of parents will find familiar. I like the way the author explored the guilt involved as well and how difficult it can be sometimes to know if you are doing the right thing when sacrifices have to be made.
The family's growing needs and her aspirations for a career that is starting to show a lot of promise are both vying for her undivided attention and this puts a lot of pressure on the relationships involved.
The book also explores the ways in which we covet things, whether it is another person we yearn for or a treasured item and how wanting these things has a way of possessing us and taking over our better sensibilities.
I enjoyed the shift between each character and getting to travel in their different lifestyles.
Although there are many stories being told they do have a continuity that ties the whole book together nicely.
May 22, 2016
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and really enjoyed it. Loved the characters especially Maggie who has never resolved the problems with her parents and still feels unworthy of love. She can't seem to find that happy balance between a wonderful, enriching job and home and family. The discovery of the beaded coronet gives her a wonderful chance to try and discover it's past and in doing so sort out her own life before its too late. The search for the origins of the coronet was fascinating. To discover all the people who's lives it had affected was interesting and although Maggie never got back to the actual beginning we do.
April 26, 2016
This started off with a very interesting character named Aimee living in 1891 then jumps to a modern day Maggie set in London 2015. It tells the story of a piece of handiwork a beaded collar that was created by Aimee but ends up in the hands of Maggie. The story jumps from owner to owner throughout the years but although it was beautifully written and well researched I just found jumping from owner to owner annoying and it was like reading numerous books when I just wanted to read about Aimee who isn't mentioned again until the end. Sorry, but not for me.
April 2, 2016
How I love this book! It has so many of the elements that I love and the story of a precious piece is simply enchanting. If you have ever looked at and held a precious thing, you will enjoy reading the history of the item in this story. I believe Kelly Doust is planning another fiction story and I look forward to reading it. Meanwhile, I will start on her non-fiction books!
April 7, 2016
I picked this book up as the premise is so interesting and appealing - to trace the story behind particular old antiques/pieces - what have they witnessed? And although Doust has done a good job, I think by narrowing the field somewhat, it could have created more impact.
Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
July 23, 2016
I enjoyed Precious Things. The interweaving narrative moved around a lot - timeline/characters, and there were certainly some characters that I could have spent more time with than others, which is invariably always the case with interweaving stories. At times I got a little lost, but an enjoyable read.
May 23, 2016
I received a copy of this book from goodreads.
I absolutely loved this book. I engaged with each of the characters and found myself wanting to know more about them all. The book is a clever weaving of all their stories.
I absolutely loved this book. I engaged with each of the characters and found myself wanting to know more about them all. The book is a clever weaving of all their stories.
May 29, 2016
I did enjoy this book but the history of the lace collar interspersed with the modern day tale did not pull together very well. I lost track of some of the characters and couldn't see where they fit in. At the end the threads were joined but not very satisfactorily.
April 25, 2016
Fantastic, enchanting, easy to read book ... Can't wait for the next one by this author!!
July 25, 2016
Loved it! The characters are fascinating and the story reveals itself slowly and beautifully
July 17, 2019
Der Roman beginnt durchaus vielversprechend! Im Jahre 1891 lernen wir Aimee, eine junge Französin kennen, die von ihrem Vater wie eine Gefangene in dem weitläufigen Haus der Familie gehalten wird und die kurz vor der Verheiratung mit einem ihr weitgehend unbekannten Mann steht. Ängste vor der Zukunft nehmen sie völlig gefangen, sie möchte fliehen, wagt es aber nicht und ergibt sich so in ihr unvermeidliches Schicksal.
Doch vorher stickt sie noch etwas, dem Leser bis zum Ende des Buches Vorenthaltenes, in die Innenseite des von ihr kunstvoll mit Perlen angefertigten Kragens...
Dieser Handlungsstrang bricht mit dem Tag ihrer Heirat unvermittelt ab und die Engländerin Maggie aus der Gegenwart kommt ins Bild!
Sie ist eine überforderte junge Frau mit mannigfachen Problemen, die vergeblich versucht, Berufstätigkeit und ihre Rolle als Mutter miteinander zu vereinbaren.
Eben diese Maggie gelangt nun in den Besitz des Kragens, den sie aber nicht als solchen erkennt. Vielmehr sieht sie in ihm ein Diadem...
Und nach dem Auftritt dieser beiden Charaktere reißt der rote Faden ab! In einer Aufeinanderfolge von weitgehend zusammenhanglosen Szenen erfährt der Leser über einen Zeitraum von etwa hundert Jahren von den weiteren Besitzerinnen der Handarbeit, deren eigentliche Bestimmung aber allen unbekannt bleibt.
Eine Art Bindeglied zwischen diesen Frauen, denen der Besitz des Kragens ausnahmslos Unglück beschert, bleibt Maggie - eine blasse, blutleere, problembehaftete Person, die für mich niemals greifbar wurde, deren nicht nachvollziehbare Handlungsweise gepaart mit einem laufend sich verändernden Charakter entweder auf eine Persönlichkeitsstörung hinweist oder auf die Möglichkeit, dass die Autorin bis zum Schluss nicht wusste, wie sie ihre Hauptfigur denn nun anlegen sollte...
Der Roman selbst wirkt mühsam konstruiert, er ist überfrachtet mit unglaubwürdigen Personen und ebensolchen Schicksalen, an denen es mir unmöglich war, Anteil zu nehmen.
Die Verbindungen, die zwischen einigen wenigen der Handlungsstränge ebenso mühsam hergestellt wurden, erscheinen mir unbeholfen und ungeschickt. Das gleiche gilt für die Entwicklung, die die Autorin ihren Protagonisten mit Gewalt aufdrückt und die ich als an den Haaren herbeigezogen beschreiben möchte.
Dabei bedient sie sich leider auch einiger abgegriffener Klischees, die das Niveau des Romans noch weiter senken, auf, so möchte ich fast sagen, Groschenheftniveau nämlich.
Dabei stecken in dem Buch jede Menge guter Ansätze - und ein großer, ein begabter Erzähler hätte daraus womöglich auch einen großen Roman machen können.
Aber Kelly Doust konnte das nicht! Weniger wäre entschieden mehr gewesen. Denn hätte sie sich auf die Französin Aimee und eine ausgefeiltere Maggie beschränkt, wäre sie gut beraten gewesen, und es hätte ihr vielleicht sogar gelingen können, eine glaubhafte, mitreißende Geschichte zu erzählen, denn ihre Art des Ausdrucks ist nicht schlecht, wobei hier auch die Übersetzerin ihren Anteil hat.
Da Mrs. Durst dies aber versäumt hat, ist ein Buch entstanden, das mich über weite Strecke schlicht und einfach nur gelangweilt hat und das mich nur ein einziges Mal wirklich erfreut hat - in dem Moment nämlich, als ich es endlich zuklappen konnte!
Doch vorher stickt sie noch etwas, dem Leser bis zum Ende des Buches Vorenthaltenes, in die Innenseite des von ihr kunstvoll mit Perlen angefertigten Kragens...
Dieser Handlungsstrang bricht mit dem Tag ihrer Heirat unvermittelt ab und die Engländerin Maggie aus der Gegenwart kommt ins Bild!
Sie ist eine überforderte junge Frau mit mannigfachen Problemen, die vergeblich versucht, Berufstätigkeit und ihre Rolle als Mutter miteinander zu vereinbaren.
Eben diese Maggie gelangt nun in den Besitz des Kragens, den sie aber nicht als solchen erkennt. Vielmehr sieht sie in ihm ein Diadem...
Und nach dem Auftritt dieser beiden Charaktere reißt der rote Faden ab! In einer Aufeinanderfolge von weitgehend zusammenhanglosen Szenen erfährt der Leser über einen Zeitraum von etwa hundert Jahren von den weiteren Besitzerinnen der Handarbeit, deren eigentliche Bestimmung aber allen unbekannt bleibt.
Eine Art Bindeglied zwischen diesen Frauen, denen der Besitz des Kragens ausnahmslos Unglück beschert, bleibt Maggie - eine blasse, blutleere, problembehaftete Person, die für mich niemals greifbar wurde, deren nicht nachvollziehbare Handlungsweise gepaart mit einem laufend sich verändernden Charakter entweder auf eine Persönlichkeitsstörung hinweist oder auf die Möglichkeit, dass die Autorin bis zum Schluss nicht wusste, wie sie ihre Hauptfigur denn nun anlegen sollte...
Der Roman selbst wirkt mühsam konstruiert, er ist überfrachtet mit unglaubwürdigen Personen und ebensolchen Schicksalen, an denen es mir unmöglich war, Anteil zu nehmen.
Die Verbindungen, die zwischen einigen wenigen der Handlungsstränge ebenso mühsam hergestellt wurden, erscheinen mir unbeholfen und ungeschickt. Das gleiche gilt für die Entwicklung, die die Autorin ihren Protagonisten mit Gewalt aufdrückt und die ich als an den Haaren herbeigezogen beschreiben möchte.
Dabei bedient sie sich leider auch einiger abgegriffener Klischees, die das Niveau des Romans noch weiter senken, auf, so möchte ich fast sagen, Groschenheftniveau nämlich.
Dabei stecken in dem Buch jede Menge guter Ansätze - und ein großer, ein begabter Erzähler hätte daraus womöglich auch einen großen Roman machen können.
Aber Kelly Doust konnte das nicht! Weniger wäre entschieden mehr gewesen. Denn hätte sie sich auf die Französin Aimee und eine ausgefeiltere Maggie beschränkt, wäre sie gut beraten gewesen, und es hätte ihr vielleicht sogar gelingen können, eine glaubhafte, mitreißende Geschichte zu erzählen, denn ihre Art des Ausdrucks ist nicht schlecht, wobei hier auch die Übersetzerin ihren Anteil hat.
Da Mrs. Durst dies aber versäumt hat, ist ein Buch entstanden, das mich über weite Strecke schlicht und einfach nur gelangweilt hat und das mich nur ein einziges Mal wirklich erfreut hat - in dem Moment nämlich, als ich es endlich zuklappen konnte!
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