Why did I wait so long to read Nancy Mitford?

[667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

Having always been fascinated by the Mitford sisters(Unity and Diana in particular as they are the most infamous) I’m amazed that it’s taken me this long to read Nancy Mitford’s novels(I’m in my late 50s).
I watched the 2003(?) or thereabouts, version of Love in a cold climate with Rosamund Pike years ago and loved that.
I have the Penguin complete Mitford collection and couldn’t put it down. I’m now on her last novel, Don’t tell Alfred, but for some reason I’m finding this a bit less interesting than the others I’m not quite sure why.

I want to read Nancy Mitford, too!
I have only read about her (and her siblings).

Which one of her novels did you like the best?

Hi, I liked The Pursuit of love and Love in a cold climate best. I think these were her most successful novels. I was literally laughing out loud at some points with almost all of them tbh. Wigs on the Green was a thinly veiled satire of her sister Diana and her husband Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Facist Party in the 30s and 40s apparently it caused a rift understandably! I found this one very funny.

She's been on my to-read list for years. I love Evelyn Waugh (well, I love his work, he was horrible), and they were friends, so I assume she's kind of similar.

If you like her stuff, maybe try early Aldous Huxley as well. He also writes about the upper classes of the 1920s and 1930s – Point Counter Point, Those Barren Leaves, and Eyeless in Gaza are probably his best.

I found the Penguin Complete a bit awkward to read, but I think it's the only way to read her early novels at the moment. I think there are some misprints in there as well. I hope Penguin print them all as Modern Classics one day.

Penguin also publish a collection of letters between Mitford and Waugh.

Yes I know what you mean it’s a huge book! I haven’t read Waugh but I liked the TV adaptation of Sword of Honour starring Daniel Craig (pre Bond). I think the letters would be interesting that’s on my to read list.