Rating: 
Summary: Out of Control Laughter
Review: For anyone sick of the ramifications of political correctness, Mitford's books are the antidote. Moreover, they give good reason as to how we came to need the concept. These slices of aristocratic, self assured, lunacy have made me laugh so hard and loud that my family came to check on me, certain that I'd gone mad. It is hard for me to imagine that they would not affect everyone that way, but having followed what others considered their favorite humor, I no longer assume that mine is the universal touchstone.The attitude of racial and class determination, is no where more honestly expressed than in this semi autobiographical two novel collection. The wife of a very dull former secretary to India put it well,"I think I may say we put India on the map. Hardly any of one's friends in England had even heard of India before we went there, you know." If you don't find that funny, you probably won't enjoy the book, which is very sad, because if it works, it's an absurdist's dream come true.
Rating:
Summary: Out of Control Laughter
Review: For anyone sick of the ramifications of political correctness, Mitford's books are the antidote. Moreover, they give good reason as to how we came to need the concept. These slices of aristocratic, self assured, lunacy have made me laugh so hard and loud that my family came to check on me, certain that I'd gone mad. It is hard for me to imagine that they would not affect everyone that way, but having followed what others considered their favorite humor, I no longer assume that mine is the universal touchstone. The attitude of racial and class determination, is no where more honestly expressed than in this semi autobiographical two novel collection. The wife of a very dull former secretary to India put it well,"I think I may say we put India on the map. Hardly any of one's friends in England had even heard of India before we went there, you know." If you don't find that funny, you probably won't enjoy the book, which is very sad, because if it works, it's an absurdist's dream come true.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written!
Review: I adore this book, first read it when i was 12 and have re-read it countless times since (i'm now 34). i also introduced my sister to it at aged 8 and actually envied her for that chance to discover it earlier than me!! we quote it endlessly to one another, but it's that sort of book. the most amusing, interesting characters ever and the most fascinating and evocative picture of a lost world (aristocratic england between the wars). i think i like PURSUIT best because it focuses more on the crazy and adorable radlett family but COLD CLIMATE is chock full of a wider variety of hilarious personalities so is equally worth reading. TV adaptations don't do these tales justice, read the books!!
Rating:
Summary: Can I give it more than ten stars?
Review: I have read this book so many times that (unfortunately) I've practically memorized it. A previous reviewer notes that Mitford's works are "long on character, short on plot." I agree, and this aspect of her writing made it hard for me to get through this book on the first round. However, once you accept the fact that the plot is not the point, it doesn't really matter. I have re-read this book to tatters, not to (obviously) find out what happens, but to enjoy the atmosphere, characters, and dialogue. If you're someone who never re-reads books (what's the point when I already know what's going to happen?), you probably shouldn't bother with this one. Otherwise, dig in, but be warned that you could be at risk of becoming a serious Mitfordaholic.
Rating:
Summary: This was the way it was!
Review: I read Mary Lovell's great book about the Mitford sisters and wanted to read these books by Nancy. My library had taken them out of circulation because "Nobody reads Nancy Mitford any more." I immediately ordered this edition from Amazon and read it in almost one sitting. I liked "The Pursuit of Love" best, but both were excellent in describing life in England between the wars for this eccentric upper class family. There were many laugh-out-loud moments as another reviewer has written. I would suggest that you read Lovell's book first so you know the background of some of the events. Details may differ, but the story is the same. What an interesting group of people!
Rating:
Summary: This was the way it was!
Review: I read Mary Lovell's great book about the Mitford sisters and wanted to read these books by Nancy. My library had taken them out of circulation because "Nobody reads Nancy Mitford any more." I immediately ordered this edition from Amazon and read it in almost one sitting. I liked "The Pursuit of Love" best, but both were excellent in describing life in England between the wars for this eccentric upper class family. There were many laugh-out-loud moments as another reviewer has written. I would suggest that you read Lovell's book first so you know the background of some of the events. Details may differ, but the story is the same. What an interesting group of people!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful novels
Review: I wish Nancy Mitford had written more! These are two of the best books I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly delicious and laugh out loud funny
Review: I'm not sure why I avoided reading Mitford all these years - she is definitely one of the heirs to Jane Austen's crown - Mitford's writing is plain laugh-out-loud funny. In "Pursuit of Love' we are introduced to the narrator of the book - Fanny whose mother, the bolter, has deserted her and she is bought up by her aunts - one of whom Aunt Sadie has a family of 7 children and a husband - all of whom display varying degrees of genteel eccentricity. Uncle Matthew hunts his children across the countryside when there are no foxes to be found. There is also the revered placing of the entrenching-tool in a prominent place in the house - Uncle Matthew used this rather obscure instrument to dispatch 8 Germans in the Great War and it is given a great deal more respect now than an entrenching tool might otherwise expect. But this story is mostly about the immensely charming but languid Linda - closest in age to Fanny and pathologically incapable of doing anything useful from tying her own stock to making her own bed. Her marriages seem to reflect the tenor of the times - from first falling for and marrying the wealthy but relentlessy middle-class (and therefore dull) Tony. Escaping him she is dragged into the meaningful world of born-again communism by Christian - another child of the upper-classes. Finally she meets Fabrice - Frenchman and Resistance Fighter in the second world war. This book is set in the 1930's and early 40's and is a wonderful commentary on class at the time. It is said that it is in some ways autobiographical, and from what little I have heard of Nancy Mitford's life I can well believe it. It is so light, enjoyable and wonderfully wicked - one of the few novels where I actually laughed out-loud. It is written with a light-hand, and such benevolent eccentricity. A book to be thoroughly enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: To the manor born
Review: Is Nancy Mitford likeable? Perhaps not, if her alter-ego, Linda Radlett, is anything to go by. Rarely are we asked to care about a character who despises children and judges others entirely by their clothing. However, The Pursuit of Love is essential reading for two reasons: one, it gives an apparently unselfconscious portrait of the author; and two, it lays the foundation for your reward, Love in a Cold Climate. Almost entirely Linda-Free, this book focusses its laser beam on vanity, classism, and misguided sexuality. Much like the films of Spike Lee, it seems that Ms. Mitford's work is smarter than she is. But the Lecherous Lecturer gets the fate he deserves, and that covers a multitude of sins.
Rating:
Summary: To the manor born
Review: Is Nancy Mitford likeable? Perhaps not, if her alter-ego, Linda Radlett, is anything to go by. Rarely are we asked to care about a character who despises children and judges others entirely by their clothing. However, The Pursuit of Love is essential reading for two reasons: one, it gives an apparently unselfconscious portrait of the author; and two, it lays the foundation for your reward, Love in a Cold Climate. Almost entirely Linda-Free, this book focusses its laser beam on vanity, classism, and misguided sexuality. Much like the films of Spike Lee, it seems that Ms. Mitford's work is smarter than she is. But the Lecherous Lecturer gets the fate he deserves, and that covers a multitude of sins.
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