Mumsnet Talk

They're addictive aren't they my dad and I are a little obsessed

Last year I read an omnibus of four of Nancy's novels and two of her histories. I finished "The House of Mitford" by Jonathon and Catherine Guinness this week. And been rewatching the BBC adapation of Love in a Cold Climate/Pursuit of Love. What are your favourite Mitford biogs?

Spied some letters in a charity bookshop last week (well, it's been there for ages, noticed it again then) so will probs buy it in a moment of weakness when I go into the centre tomorrow.

I like Nancy Mitford's novels. My favorite is wigs on the green. I have also read three of the biographies that she has wrote and planning to read The house of Mitford in the next month or so.

I loved 'Letters Between Six Sisters' edited by Charlotte Moseley. Fascinating. A real doorstop of a book, but I couldn't put it down. Letter between the sisters over decades, such an amazing dialogue through changing times.

I really recommend the Letters collection - it's wonderful - and The Mitfords by Mary Lovell is a rollicking good read.

Also recommend Jessica Mitford autobiog Hons and Rebels, and her letters collection Decca is brilliant.

And Deborah Devonshire's collection of letters with Paddy Leigh Fermor In Tearing Haste is great as well.

That reminds me, I want to read Nancy's letters with Evelyn Waugh.

Also recommend Jessica Mitford's autobiog. Sad.

I thought I had Nancy's letters with Evelyn Waugh, but it's Diana Cooper. Prolific chap, EW.

Yes, Hons and Rebels is really good, though the first bit about her childhood was more interesting than the later stuff, I thought. She had such a tragic life, though.

Have read and enjoyed both Love in a Cold Climate and Pursuit of Love, also one other whose name I can't remember! All v funny. Would love to read the letters, have meant to for a long time, just haven't got round to it.

Ordered Hons and Rebels at the weekend (very bad...buying online! such weak resolve)

That reminds me, I want to read Nancy's letters with Evelyn Waugh came across that the other day....was £5 though so bit pricey for a 2nd hand shop

Cheers for all the recommendations as well!

Mary lovell's "the mitford girls" is a good biography of the family too

Another who can't resist Mitford books - I really want to buy the biography of Jessica Mitford, and will probably succumb some time.

For the love of all that is holy avoid Hitlers English Girlfriend by David Rehak. It's supposed to be his dramatic narrative about Unity Mitfords life and its utterly awful. I chanced across it at the library while waiting for the very kind librarian who'd gone looking "in the stacks" for Horror of Love which is about Nancy Mitford. I was a bit dubious but with it being a library book thought I had nothing to lose. How wrong I was. I've never read such utter shit in all my life.

More positively the Mary Lovell and Charlotte Mosely books are excellent. Just about to start Horror of Love.