Classics club spin falls on Mitford
The anticipation is over and the result of the latest Classic Club Spin is in. The roulette wheel fell on number 9. Which means that from the list I put together earlier this week I will be reading………
The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford
Published in 1945 it is the first in a trilogy which satirises an upper-class English family in the interwar period. Mitford of course knew this world intimately since she came from aristocratic stock herself. She put that to great effect in her portrayal of the unconventional, exuberant Radletts of Alconleigh.
Mitford’s wickedly humorous narrative traces the family through misguided marriages and dramatic love affairs. Although a comedy, the story has a darker aspect because the shadow of World War II begins to close in on the Radletts and a world that will rapidly vanish.
This is a book that I have been intending to read for years. Now I just have to find my copy. I know the cover looks nothing like the ones shown above. Isn’t that middle one awful?
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Karen, I really hope you will enjoy your spin result book. Sadly I missed out on joining in with this spin as I was on holiday!
Maybe you could just do your own spin? I remember the book jar idea was very popular at one time which seems a bit like a spin
Not a bad idea Karen… but it just wouldn’t be the same 😛
I do hope you enjoy The Pursuit of Love (and that your cover is nicer than the middle one of your selection) It’s not a book I’ve read so I can’t add my thoughts on this one.
Yes. Yes it is. I would be embarrassed reading that cover in public!
I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this. Enjoy!
I hope so Jacqui – it’s been on my radar for such a long time
I read her novels years ago, and loved them,. I’ve also read several collections of Nancy & Deborah’s letters. The Mitford family fascinated me, I have to confess. Such a combination of beautiful women who were wildly different and fearlessly pursued their lives, regardless of consequence.
They were certainly colourful characters.
Ha! Truthfully I think all three of those covers are hideous – hope yours is nicer! And that you enjoy the book…
I’m sure it is but right now I can’t find it
😂
I LOVE Mitford (although read her in small doses in order to really enjoy the humour). There was a re-release of her books in the last few years that had stylised drawings on the cover which I quite liked, although I’m not sure about the lolly-pink chosen for Pursuit of Love 😀 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/7398341/Zoe-Heller-on-Nancy-Mitford.html
Pink sends the wrong signals that this book could be ‘romance’
I’ve read it a couple of times, I think you’ll enjoy it.
So far no-one has said anything negative about this book. Always a good sign
I read Pursuit and Cold Climate both some years back and liked them – they were in an edition together – very similar to the middle cover above! It had a beautiful shade of pink on the spine and that’s what attracted me to pick it up in the first place. Hope you enjoy it!
I have high expectations for this book now Laila
Happy reading!
Have you read it?
I haven’t, so I’m sending you good vibes so that you can give us a happy book review 😊
I shall try my best
Nice! I liked this one anyway!
I think the follow up is Love in a Cold Climate which is meant to be even better?
They struck me about the same …