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Original poster

Has anyone read Nancy Mitford's books?

81 replies

Kasterborous · 01/05/2013 16:32

I was wondering if anyone has read them and would have an idea if I would like them or not. My favourite recent reads have been some of Kate Atkinson's books and Kate Morton, they are some of my favourites. I've seen they have got an omnibus edition of Nancy Mitford on Amazon at a good price and would keep me going for a while.

OP posts:
GetOrfMoiLand · 01/05/2013 20:51

Yes, agree it is autobiographical. Especially when Sauveterre goes away and she leans out the window and says goodbye, then goes and cries on the bed.

She didn't have much luck with men, nancy. There is a good book about her life with Palewski, called The Horror of Love.

Reading her book about Madame de Pompadour, makes the French court of Louis XV sound like Linda, Fanny et al.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/05/2013 19:46

Love, love, love Miss Pettigrew. You might like, 'The Bolter' too (non-fiction).

Repeatedlydoingthetwist · 01/05/2013 19:36

Yes!! That's a fab book, I did enjoy it.

piprabbit · 01/05/2013 18:38

If you enjoy the Mitfords, you might also like "Miss Pettigrew lives for a Day".

Original poster
Kasterborous · 01/05/2013 18:37

I've ordered it its got : Highland Fling, Christmas Pudding, Wigs on the Green, Pigeon Pie, The Pursuit of Love, Love in a cold Climate, The Blessing, and Don't tell Alfred. Looking forward to reading it.

OP posts:
Badvoc · 01/05/2013 18:17

Pursuit of love is my fave getorf.
That last line is a cracker.
So true and so sad.
And by far and away her most auto biographical novel.

Gigondas · 01/05/2013 18:17

It is getorf but the more I read her books the better I like it.

Chubfuddler · 01/05/2013 18:13

Oh don't getorf you'll make me bulb.

I love the bolter.

Chubfuddler · 01/05/2013 18:12

I'm going to start writing the names of people I don't like on pieces of paper and putting them in drawers like uncle Matthew.

GetOrfMoiLand · 01/05/2013 18:01

The end line of Pursuit of Love is so, so bittersweet.

DuchessofMalfi · 01/05/2013 17:59

I've read The Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate, Don't Tell Alfred, and The Blessing. Loved them all. Now I want to re-read them :)

I remember the original TV series with Judi Dench too EmilyAlice :)

LifeofPo · 01/05/2013 17:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EmilyAlice · 01/05/2013 17:47

I love them, they are my ultimate comfort reading. We have the TV series of Love in a Cold Climate on DVD. This is the original one with Judi Dench as Aunt Sadie not the later version. Michael Williams is utterly perfect as Davey Warbeck.

Chubfuddler · 01/05/2013 17:45

I think they are as good literature as Waugh and f Scott Fitzgerald and they get looked down on because they're by a rich, titled woman.

The first page of the pursuit of love is one of the best opening of a book I have ever read, and I've read a lot. It never fails to make me misty eyed.

Haberdashery · 01/05/2013 17:44

Brilliant brilliant books. The description of ducks mating remains one of my favourite ever lines from any book.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/05/2013 17:42

I must admit that she doesn't do much at all for me. I detest Kate Morton and get v annoyed by Kate Atkinson though (except Behind The Scenes...) so you might love them! Deffo worth a go, I'd say.

Chubfuddler · 01/05/2013 17:42

I am so embarrassed. The chubfuddler is not in the pursuit of love. He's in love in a cold climate.

Badvoc · 01/05/2013 17:42

I love them.
Am reading dont tell Alfred ATM!
Agree if you like pg Wodehouse you will probably like them.

piprabbit · 01/05/2013 17:39

Nancy's wedding gown

GetOrfMoiLand · 01/05/2013 17:33

Yes Mitford Girls by Mary Lovell is very good.

And the PICTURES. You could wear Nancy Mitford's wedding dress in 2013 and be considered utterly stylish.

Repeatedlydoingthetwist · 01/05/2013 17:30

I second GetOrf, Letters is an excellent read. As is The Mitford Girls I find them all so fascinating.

Original poster
Kasterborous · 01/05/2013 17:08

Well with a name like Chubfuddler coming from the books I don't think I will be able to resist.

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 01/05/2013 17:02

I was daveywarbeck for a while.

MumOfTheMoos · 01/05/2013 16:59

I read them all about 20 odd years go, loved them, plus love Kate Atkinson.

GetOrfMoiLand · 01/05/2013 16:57

Grin chubfuddler

I have had legions of Mitford inspired names, last one something like LordAlconburysEntrenchingTool