...purses do exist and lots of people seem to own lots of them, you'll enjoy this book. Michael writes a fun story of a time in his life when he "played" Hermes in order to make a living. That the women in the book - I assumed he changed names - spent so much money on purses, scarves, and other "name" items were the ultimate "Fashion Victims", is maybe what they deserved to be. But, well, it's their money and if that's what they chose to spend it on...Michael just helped them in their quests for the ultimate "croc".

I enjoyed the book.

I read this on a flight earlier in the week and finished the book that evening in our hotel room. On the return flight home my husband read the book and just finished it last night. Both of us (he was skeptical when i handed him the book) laughed out loud throughout the book and enjoyed the travel and food chapters (along the lines of "A Year in Provence") as well as the author's social commentary (the salesclerks are hysterically funny). I'm sending the book to my daughter in NYC to read on her subway commute (she loves those Shopaholic books). Easy, breazy, like a giant box of bonbons, you just don't want to stop reading and it's great fun all the way through to end. Highly recommended! (and Michael, if you read this, I'd love to have dinner with you in Barcelona)

Some books are candy-like in terms of nutrition. We buy them because they have a decent hook, we read them quickly and five days later barely recall the characters or their exploits. I assure you, Bringing Home The Birkin is not one of those books.

This is a wonderful, wild ride that spans years, continents and exchange rates; and most important, teaches us that absolutely anything is possible. You do not have to be confined to the state or the country in which you were born. You do not have to kowtow to the buying "rules" of a fashion empire, even one that makes over two billion dollars a year. Therein lies the hook. Michael Tonello finds out the Waiting List for the elusive Birkin bag is camouflage. An interesting invention of Hermes, the prestigious, privately held company that handcrafts these goods. When he discovers he can get Birkins, he becomes a sort of Robin Hood, allowing people around the globe to purchase them. But this book is more than the sum of its hook, it's an enlightening, hilarious read. Everything is described in a manner that literally make you want to pack your bags for Spain, France and Beyond to experience the food, wine and sights he recounts.

Recently my two nieces came to my apartment for a sleepover. As usual, I try to introduce them to new things to even out the fast food, pop music, reality TV, Reality of Teenage Life. We ate sushi (which they now love.) Cognizant of college looming, I talked about finding a job that you love, thinking outside the box, and being open to new places and people. (Okay I don't see them much so I'm guilty of trying to cram a lot into one visit.) When they were wary of my speech, we talked books and I told them about Bringing Home The Birkin. I explained that it's a true story about a hair and make-up artist that did a job in Spain, realized he wanted to live there and moved. He didn't ponder over the negatives to the point of distraction or let people stop him. I told them he didn't speak Spanish and didn't know what a Birkin was but he educated himself and suddenly became a seller of all things Hermes. Not only did he make money, travel and find the love of his life but he Wrote A Book About It. I think they listened. It was hard to tell. At that point, we were walking by a clothing store and the music was blaring so whatever I said literally fell on deaf ears (why do stores have speakers that face outward nowadays?)

The next morning I dropped the college future/career goals and dreams talk. I laid out breakfast, put on the TV and there, on the CBS Early Show, was Mr. Tonello being interviewed about his book! My nieces looked from the TV screen to the book on the table and suddenly everything I spoke of was real to them. If he could do it, why couldn't they do whatever `it' was they wanted to do?

I thought Bringing Home The Birkin was an absolute inspiration. It made me laugh my face off. It educated me about food, wine and travel. It demystified the mystical Birkin Bag. It is making me seriously consider a move abroad, and it has already opened the minds of my nieces who haven't even read it yet!

What more could I ask for?

Mr. Tonello indeed is living proof that ANYONE these days can get a book deal. His book is full of half truths at best. Mr. Tonello details the trials and tribulations of acquiring a birkin from Heres. When the story begins we find him making a living as an amateur Hermes scarf seller. A lucky break in the form of a good contact results in him becoming the ultimate Hermes scarf reseller. At least according to HIM. Eventually he segues into selling birkins, but his beginning in that area is more than a little rocky. Throughout all of this he details the aspects of his blooming romance. I will admit the writing is somewhat amusing, how ever I hope everyone takes this stuff with a grain of salt. Mr. Tonello, sorry to say, has not cracked any "code" when it comes to Hermes. Please do not waste your money on this book. You can find information on the birkin on line simply by googling.

This book is the equivalent of all those mountain climbing, desert marching, storm sailing adventure books out there, but in this case the sport is shopping. (A sport I like to participate in myself, but my level is junior amateur in comparison.) It is also very similar to chick lit except that in this case instead of the typical spunky, unlucky in love, career, etc waiting for the big break heroine, this hero(ine?) is an openly gay man. who manages to turn a love and a knack for shopping into a business as well as quite a nice life for himself.

The book is subtitled My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag. That handbag being the Hermes Birkin. I have heard a few stories of the famous Birkin waitlist and there was even an episode of "Sex and the City" that featured the same. I have only seen a few Birkins in person on the arms of clearly wealthy women, but they are distinct enough to be instantly recognizable. They are the ultimate elite status symbol.

Mr. Tonello's business involved luxurious travel to major European destinations to purchase Birkins from Hermes shops and then re-selling them on E-Bay from his envy-inspiring apartment in Barcelona. His trials and triumphs are amusing and the hotels and dining he describes could serve as a travel guide. The story works because the author never takes himself to seriously or fails to realize what a charmed life he's leading. Mr. Tonello has an amazing positive attitude self described as "Always half-full, that glass, always." Which is from a section describing a stay in a hospital where he was treated for severe anemia.

A family tragedy brings about the eventual end of his Birkin hunting in the way that kind of thing can do by making you take a look at what you're actually spending your time doing. He could no longer deal with "people who lacked for nothing, but who longed for more" and got himself out before he became that way himself.

So, if you're in the mood for a light-hearted romp through the luxurious side of Europe I think you'll enjoy this one. I definitely did.