Monday, April 26, 2010

The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

'There was the unforgettable holiday when Uncle Matthew and Aunt Sadie went to Canada.  The Radlett children would rush for the newspapers every day hoping to see that their parents' ship had gone down with all aboard; they yearned to be total orphans - especially Linda, who saw herself as Katie in 'What Katie Did', the reins of the household gathered into small but capable hands. 

Fanny is the narrator, a cousin to the six Radlett children and whose mother is known as The Bolter.  She's raised alongside this blue-eyed bunch who are thinly veiled as the Mitfords themselves, at Alconleigh, their upper-class English estate.  In fact, in the beginning I had a bit of trouble separating fact from fiction having read some of The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters.

The girls dream of their future husbands and of course at least one is in love with the Prince of Wales.  Their imaginative play reminded me of my own childhood, a time before digital devices.  Huddled in the Hons cupboard...'We had a tape measure and competed as to the largeness of our eyes, the smallness of wrists, ankles, waist and neck, length of legs and fingers, and so on.  Linda always won.

As the girls form attachments, it is Linda's story that we follow.  Marrying into a German family against her family's wishes and then giving birth to a daughter she is painfully indifferent about (although we do find out her reasoning later) is only the beginning of her foray into womanhood.  Realizing that she is bored beyond belief, a handsome Communist named Christian easily turns her head and another marriage is unwisely entered into.  Of course it all ends in tears and Linda finds herself sitting on her suitcase at a railway station with no money and a very wet hankie.  Enter the worldly and wealthy Fabrice, who can't stand to see a woman cry and offers a shoulder to cry on, then lunch, then dinner and a hotel.  Oh what's another affair now that she's already had two husbands?  But will a gorgeous flat in Paris and trunks full of haute couture bring Linda happiness and contentment?

Meanwhile, back at Alconleigh, Davey Warbeck, who is engaged to The Bolter is absolutely hysterical as a health-crazed house guest.  'The fact is, dear, that if Mrs Beecher were a Borgia she could hardly be more successful - all that sausage mince is poison, Sadie.  I wouldn't complain if it were merely nasty, or insufficient, or too starchy, one expects that in the war, but actual poison does, I feel, call for comment.  Look at the menus this week - Monday, poison pie; Tuesday, poison burger steak; Wednesday, Cornish poison-'.

There are desperate moments when the extended family rallies at Alconleigh, preparing for a German invasion during World War II.  Rations are tight, the house is freezing, some of the sisters are expecting babies and suicide is mentioned should the Germans actually show up.  The Pursuit of Love was published in 1945 so the dialogue is most likely all too real.  At this point, I was well and truly captivated by this family and then all too soon, it was over and I was unprepared for the ending.  I actually sat there and looked for more pages, not wanting to believe that this was the end!

Due to the fact that I seem to manage only one book every couple of weeks, I've decided to start my Persephone Reading Week early with Richmal Crompton's, Family Roundabout.  I'm very much looking forward to getting back to the second story by Mitford included in my book, Love in a Cold Climate.  Can there ever be too much Mitford?  I think not!

20 comments:

  1. There can never be too much Mitford! I've read a couple of her novels this year & I would love to reread POL & LIACC, it's been far too long since I read them. I love the photo on your edition. I think you'll enjoy the Crompton too. A lovely family saga to sink into.

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  2. Nancy Mitford - hurrah! One day when you are over here I will have to take you to Swinbrook to see where they lived! I do like the cover of that edition.

    I was wonderign about rereading Family Roundabout during PRW - it was my first Persephone.

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  3. This is a great read - glad that you enjoyed it - I enjoyed reading your review - thank you for sharing

    Happy Tuesday

    Hannah

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  4. Gorgeous cover - definitely one for my list! I was actually thinking about starting Persephone Reading week early, too...

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  5. There can never be too much Mitford! I love this one and find it such a comforting, delightful read that I return to it time and time again.

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  6. I really need to reread The Pursuit of Love--and I never did get around to reading Love in a Cold Climate. I still have visions of doing a little Mitford reading extravaganza (if only I had more time!). Family Roundabout is probably my favorite Persephone!! I hope you enjoy it, too. I have Someone at a Distance sitting at the ready (just trying to finish Molly Wizenberg's book first!).

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  7. Remember feeling quite gutted by the ending when I first read it years ago. I've just pulled my old Penguins down from the shelf ... the old editions had such pretty Art Deco covers with honeysuckle and bluebells, much nicer than the recent ones. I dipped into them over the weekend - but these days I find a small dose of Mitford is quite enough!

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  8. There can NEVER be too much Mitford. I am obsessed with the family and I adore Nancy's books they are so hilarious and utterly perfect.
    You have written a fab review - I am considering a re-read. The Pursuit of Love is perfect springtime reading.

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  9. I did get a bit burned out on the Mitfords - too many biographies followed by too many books of letters - but I turn to that one and Love in a Cold Climate as old friends. It's a wonderful book and Davey is my very favorite fictional hypochondriac!

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  10. lyn, You're right about Family Roundabout...I'm loving every page!

    verity, I specifically wanted this edition as the cover is absolutely gorgeous. When I make it to Oxford then Swinbrook is a must!

    Hannah, And Happy Wednesday to you!

    JoAnn, To read a book in one week means taking a holiday from work, no housework and take-out. Deacon, well there's no negotiating with him!

    The Captive Reader, Nancy really packed a lot into a short book and I bet the subsequent reads are even better than the first.

    Danielle, Family Roundabout is fabulous!!! Lots of characters in the beginning to get your head around though. PUHLEASE read Someone at a Distance!!! Then we'll talk.

    mary, Gutted is the word! You know when you reread a paragraph because you're sure you didn't get it right the first time? That was me *sigh*.

    Bloomsbury Bell, Welcome back from your adventure in the Big Apple! All things Mitford are utterly perfect indeed and I can't wait for Debo's autobiography this Autumn.

    makedoandread, I think someone missed an opportunity to write about the further adventures of Davey, he was a scream!

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  11. Just started in on Love in a Cold Climate! And you're going to love Family Roundabout. Definitely one of my favorite Persephones.

    K x

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  12. Kristina, Family Roundabout is excellent! I couldn't wait to get home from work so that I could pick up where I left off. Belle is almost as nasty as Louise! Almost...

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  13. Oh! My comment didn't post! I am so glad you enjoyed these, Darlene - as Naomi says, you can never have too much Mitford! I want to read The Blessing next and then I have Christmas Pudding on my TBR pile too. I see you're currently reading Family Roundabout - isn't it spectacular? I LOVED it. Maybe it's time I had a re-read, actually...

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  14. I love the image of the Hons cupboard - so warm cozy and full of gossip!

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  15. booksnob, Oh I just love the title 'Christmas Pudding'! Why Family Roundabout has been languishing on my shelf for one year, I have no idea...it's fantastic!

    Joan, Hi and welcome! Oh yes, the Hons cupboard is like a treehouse for girls.

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  16. The Pursuit of Love is my favourite Mitford, although at times Linda annoys me. When she is pregnant and just sits around while the others make all the baby clothes for her! Great book though.

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  17. I really, really mist read The Pursuit of Love -and what will be my first Mitford- soon. I hope that you are enjoying Family Roundabout!

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  18. I agree - there can never be too much Mitford! I adore Love in a Cold Climate even more than The Pursuit of Love so looking forward to your thoughts. And 'yay' for Persephone Reading Week!

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  19. This is one of my favourite books and I was exactly the same when I read the ending! My mum and I still talk about 'putting people's names in drawers' when we're cross with them!

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  20. I have only read one Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford but now I think I should go venture and try to find some other books.

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