You know my friends, I think it must be the height of irony that this weekend I can hardly tear myself away from a book I’m reading to write a post about what I’m reading. Especially when I’ve actually read the book before, albeit many years ago.
This all started when I saw, somewhere on social media, that a new television mini-series had been made about the infamous Mitford sisters. Oh, those darned Mitfords, I’ve been mesmerized by them and their stories even since my friend Barb introduced me to them back in the nineties. I have a long history of reading the Mitfords and reading about the Mitfords. I’ve read most of Nancy Mitford’s fiction, plus several memoirs and autobiographies, and countless biographies of the family. I even branched off into the lives of adjacent personalities… like the Curzon family. The Viceroy’s Daughters: The Lives of the Curzon Sisters is about the daughters of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, one of whom was married to Oswald Mosley who later married Diana Mitford, and another of whom had a long-running affair with Mosley.
Oh, it’s a tangled web is the British upper class. One can get lost. And one has. But you can read all about some of my earlier Mitford experiences here, if you’re interested.
This time round I’ve confined my Mitford reading to Mary S. Lovell’s excellent 2001 biography The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family. I’ve had my nose buried in it for days.
I can’t begin to imagine the time and work that goes into writing a book like this. For non-fiction, it’s a great read, almost rollicking. I never once felt bogged down in detail, although there’s tons of detail. Not only is the writing excellent, but it’s extremely well researched. Lovell has checked and double-checked her facts, at times using the writing of one sister (either in a memoir or letters) to call into question the version of history recounted by another sister. Even the footnotes make interesting reading at times. In fact, the aforementioned mini-series is based on Lovell’s book.
As a Mitford purist I initially determined that I would snub the mini-series. After all, they’d probably get it all wrong, I surmised. Until one evening, when Hubby was watching the baseball game, I capitulated to temptation. I mean, Nancy Mitford was being played by Bessie Carter, daughter of Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton, surely with those family credentials she’d not sign on to a dud. And she didn’t, my friends. A bit sceptical at first, I didn’t like the pace and the noisiness of the first part of episode one, but I was soon hooked. I’d been so wrong. I later found out that Mary Lovell helped write the screenplay for the series.
Bessie Carter is wonderful as Nancy; the show is narrated by Nancy. And Joanna Vanderham shimmers as Diana. I won’t go on, except to say that if you get a chance to watch this series you should. It takes a few liberties, but it seems to capture the true nature of the characters. Although at times it does gloss over some of Nancy’s nastiness. You can watch the trailer here.
And in the way that these things happen, an email from Slightly Foxed the other morning about their reissue of Jessica Mitford’s memoir Hons and Rebels, referenced the mini-series. You can read an excerpt from the memoir and order it from Slightly Foxed Books here. The upcoming Slightly Foxed quarterly podcast this month will be dedicated to a discussion of the Mitfords, and in particular Jessica’s memoir. I’m looking forward to that.
But in the meantime, my latest audible book had finished, and as I headed out for my walk, reminded by the email from Slightly Foxed, I accessed on my phone the SF podcast from April. It was dedicated to Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy. I was captivated by the discussion, by the details about Dervla’s Murphy’s life, and by the excerpts of her work. Another writer rabbit hole down which to descend. You can listen to the podcast here, if you like.
I’ve never read anything by Dervla Murphy. I’m sure that many of you are familiar with her work, but I was not. What an interesting life she had. As Veronica Horwell wrote in her 2022 obituary for Murphy, she was an extraordinary woman with “a tolerance for hardship and a curiosity about everyday elsewheres.” I love that phrase “everyday elsewheres.”
Murphy had longed to travel ever since she received a bicycle and an atlas for her tenth birthday. She said she dreamed of travel to India on her bike, using her own legs to transport herself. Instead, she was removed from school at fifteen and subsequently became the chief carer for her invalid mother for sixteen years. So it wasn’t until she was thirty that she could escape the “cage of domestic duty” when her parents died within a year of each other. Her first travel book Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle was published in 1965. And apparently she never looked back.
I haven’t decided with which of Murphy’s twenty-six books I will begin my journey. I’m thinking perhaps either A World Apart: Northern Ireland in the Seventies or Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru. If you’ve read Murphy’s work and have suggestions, I’d be happy to hear them.
It’s funny, you know, but listening to that Slightly Foxed podcast and digging into the whole Mitford saga again has made me realize how much I’ve missed this kind of reading, researching, watching, listening, reading thing. Following my nose wherever a topic or an author or a book title takes me. Finding all kinds of fascinating people and places and events, sometimes real and sometimes fictional, to dig into. And just hunkering down with my book for a whole day. Coming up for air when Hubby comes home from golf and blinking, not sure whether I’m in prewar England or twenty-first century Manotick.
According to my reading history, I have a habit of getting lost in a book if I love it. As we all do, if we love reading.
Before I go, I want to tell you about the book we read last month for book club. It’s called The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray. Historical fiction, the book deals with several characters, namely the women of Chateau Lafayette, between 1774 and 1940. The New York Times called it an “epic saga.”
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t like the book. But everyone at book club, except me and one other woman, loved it. We had a fulsome discussion of the book over our fish and chips and our fish tacos. And you know, it makes discussion so much better when not everyone is in perfect agreement.
And since Lafayette himself was such an integral character in the American Revolution as well as the French Revolution, I thought it might interest my American readers. Especially since you just celebrated American Independence Day on July 4th.
And speaking of July 4th, Hubby and I had a fire in our fire pit last night. We weren’t celebrating July 4th. We had our own Canada Day celebrations on July 1st. The fire was to make up for the June camping trip we did not go on this year.
And then after the fire, we had hotdogs on the barbeque for supper. My favourite childhood meal.
And Hubby asked me how many hotdogs I could eat at one time. “In my heyday,” I replied, “two.”
When we’d finished laughing, he told me about the July 4th “Nathan’s Famous Hotdog Eating Contest,” at Coney Island, which he’d heard about on the evening news. The winner Joey Chestnut, above, ate 70.5 hotdogs and buns. And won his 17th title and the coveted “Mustard Belt.”
Seriously. You can watch the whole contest on YouTube. It’s a yearly “Major League Eating” event. I didn’t know that there were “Major League Eating” events. There were contestants from all over the U.S and the world, South America, Australia, the UK, professional “eaters” who do this for a living. There was even a Canadian guy whose claim to fame is “Former Amateur Poutine Eating Champion of Canada.” I didn’t even know that poutine eating was a sport. Ha.
We do live in a funny old world, don’t you think?
Now it’s your turn my friends. Have you been down any reading rabbit holes lately? Do let us know in the comments. We’re all ears. Ha. Pun intended.
P.S. Some of the book links in this post are affiliate links. I have an affiliate relationship with Amazon, and if you make a purchase after clicking my link I will earn a small commission which helps to pay for the blog.
P.P.S. I encourage everyone to use their public library if possible. And if you’d rather get your books from the library, or from other sources but still want to support my blog, you can always buy me a coffee. 🙂
34 thoughts on “Reading History”
Oh, I had forgotten you are a Mitford enthusiast! Me too, ever since I found a copy of “Don’t Tell Alfred” in a used book store probably 55 years ago. I hadn’t heard about the TV series but will look out for it. And my library, annoyingly, does not have the Lovell book, although they have 2 others by her, not exactly Mitford adjacent (a wonderful term I am going to borrow) but about posh people it looks like. So you have given me things to look forward to, thank you very much.
Ceci
I highly recommend Mary Lovell’s book, Ceci. It was published in 2001 so you might be able to get a used copy. I’m going to try to find some of Dervla Murphy’s books at the used book store near me.
Hello: Your link for the Lovell book takes one instead to the Viceroy’s Daughters. FYI. In our book club we have also noticed that a book some don’t like often leads to a really good discussion.
Thanks for that Mary. I’ve corrected it now. 🙂
The Kindle version of the Mitford book is 99p here in the UK at the moment – not sure if it’s at a similar bargain price in other markets.
Loved the Curzon Girls book. Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire is well worth a visit – now owned by the National Trust. The famous and beautiful “Peacock Dress” has just been restored as shown in the BBC Series “Hidden Treasures of the National Trust” – Series 3 Episode 3 – available on BBC iPlayer but articles about the restoration are well worth reading.
I’d love to do a slow tour of the UK, visiting all the places where people I’ve read about have lived. I will look for that BBC show on YouTube. Someone might have uploaded it.
The Mitfords were certainly a fascinating family & they fascinated me for a long time . I couldn’t read enough about them . The Mary Lovell book is the absolute best I think . I seem to be ‘Mitforded ‘ out now though . I hope the new series isn’t painting too glossier picture of them , Diana was the most beautiful but had the ugliest character. I agree with Lesleyc above , those National Trust programmes are very good .
I think I’ll skip the hot dog eating contest 😲 Two books I’ve enjoyed recently were Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld , an update of Pride & Prejudice & The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs . By the way , I loved your latest river photo on instagram .
That hot dog eating contest almost put me off hotdogs for life. I was gobsmacked that there are so many people who “eat” for a living. Ha. I saw that book The Retirement Plan at the bookstore yesterday and could not remember why the title was familiar. Thanks for the suggestions.
I am also mesmerized by Outrageous. I watched all available episodes in one go this past week. What a fascinating family. One of my favorite authors, Marie Benedict, also wrote about them in her book, The Mitford Affair. Perhaps you would enjoy that take on the story of this family who were so entwined in the history of the past century.
I’ve not read the Marie Benedict book. I will check it out. Thanks.
I’ve heard about M.S. Lovell’s The Sisters here and loved the book
It is my cup of tea to get lost in an interesting book as well,so I’m so happy to find a new author (if there is a series,even better-yay! What a treat),starting to investigate connections,characters…..
There is a new Dervla Mc Tiernan book-The Unquiet Grave. I didn’t like What Happened to Nina a lot,but she is back to Ireland again and it is excellent
Maz Evans’ new book That’ll Teach Her (I’ve liked Over My Dead Body ) is very Janice Hallett-y (but Janice’s review is “Fabulous” -so who am I to preach)-I loved it
I’ll have to wait for Outrageous,as well as for The Marlowe Murder Club series(starring Samantha Bond,Jo Martin and Cara Horgan). Started to read the first Richard Thorogood’s TMMC book without a lot of expectations,but eventually loved the characters and the books
It is very hot here for days and only thing I could imagine to eat a lot is ice cream (but try to be moderate)
Dottoressa
Ah, thanks for the heads up about the new Dervla McTiernan book. I will check it out. Looks like I’ll be reading more than one Dervla. 🙂
I have read most of those Mitford books as well – fascinating times, even if some of the behaviours and standards make your eyes water. But I am not tempted by the tv miniseries because I know I would spend time shouting: that didn’t happen! He wasn’t like that! Stop it! too often. Too sick-making, do admit. As Nancy would no doubt have commented.
This just reminds me that I should look for this book on my tablet. Currently without a decent read. I know I have read before – some but need to revisit the Mitford era. Thanks so much.
That’s what I thought I would do, Annie, shout at the tv about mistakes. But I didn’t. I am really enjoying it. Not “sick-making” at all. Ha.
I am sort of a book snob. At this point in my life, my 70s, I read only mysteries. I cannot abide romances, I’ve been married twice, and still married. But I have done that romance stuff and don’t need to read about it! I only read mysteries now. I just found a great mystery writer, David J. Gatward. He’s an English writer and he writes about the countryside of England. I just love reading about England. He has written a series of 20 plus books, so I am in heaven! I am trying not to read through them too quickly. I will finish one and then pick up another author. I also love Anthony Horowitz. I finished all the Peter Diamond series by Peter Lovesey a long time ago. I also read all of Peter Robinson which are more mysteries. I hate it when I come to the last book in a series, don’t you? I also read all of The Murder Club mysterie. They are quite witty and fun.
I’ve not heard of David Gatward, Linda. I will look for his book. Thanks.
I am really enjoying the Outrageous miniseries, and have reserved the book at the library. It’s Downton-Abbey-ish enough that my husband is also liking it. I cannot say if there are inaccuracies, but it is well acted and produced, and historically thought provoking.
Two books I have enjoyed lately are The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, and Long Island, by Colm Toibin. Not mysteries, but lovely writing.
I often don’t care for our book club selections, and am the only one who doesn’t! Sometimes I just listen. 😉 This month, the person hosting didn’t care for her selection, so we’ve cancelled the pressure to get through the 400+ page book, and are just having a social meeting. There is always plenty to discuss when we get together!
I find that these past few years I am utterly unable to force myself to finish a book I am not enjoying.
I just finished Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. Beautiful writing and characters I will not forget. May break your heart.
I have loved all of Richard Russo ‘s stories.I willlook that one up
Me too. 🙂
I love to read. I day just reading a good book to me isa good day.
I’m looking for something right now and I will look into your suggestions.
Hope you like them, Paula.
I frequently fall into rabbit holes after seeing any interesting movie. The deepest rabbit hole I tumbled down was created after seeing “Out Of Africa” with Meryl Streep as Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) and set on her farm in Africa. My interest was piqued by Streep’s voice-over comment that begins the film; “I had a farm in Africa.” Streep delivered that line with so much longing and intrique that I was hooked. The movie inspired more research on people who circled around Karen; Denys Finch Hatton, Beryl Markham and the various hedonistic members 0f the British upper class who lived in Kenya’s Happy Valley. So, so interesting.
I fell down the Beryl Markham rabbit hole a couple of years ago after reading Paula McLain’s novel Circling the Sun, based on Markham’s life.
I’m loving Seriously Bright Creatures, by
Shelby Van Pelt, basically a mystery with lots of interesting characters, humor, plus a very original plot. Its the July choice for my book club, and one of the best choices so far, IMHO. Thanks for all the suggestions.
I’ve heard of the book but not read it. Thanks for the recommendation, Joan.
Coming back to say I watched the first 2 of the 4 “Outrageous” series last night and throughly enjoyed it. Right at the beginning they are trying a bit hard to demonstrate the age range by featuring the younger sisters romping around when the actual actors look a bit more mature than that, but once that awkward period is over, in general the casting is terrific and the various vignettes align with my extensive reading and background knowledge of the family. I didn’t have many “that’s not what happened” moments at all.
Ceci
That’s what I thought, they were trying too hard. And the swimming pool put me off. I don’t think the Mitfords ever had a pool. But after that it was great.
From the time I first read Love in a Cold Climate I’ve been fascinated by the Mitford sisters. Last year I read the Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict and could not put it down. It focuses mainly on the political shenanigans of Diana and Unity as told by Nancy who grows suspicious of her sister’s involvement with fascism in pre WWII Europe and particularly Unity’s possible romantic involvement with Adolph Hitler.
Come summer I don’t have much time to read as there is so much going on but I look at books to download on to my little Kindle to take to the cottage in September. So lovely when the grands have returned to school and the guests have flown to snuggle down in our little seaside cottage in PEI for a few weeks of downtime and reading before it’s time to shutter up and head home ourselves. Sometimes it’s a book I’ve read before and want to revisit or something new often recommended by my eclectic book loving son. If the weather is lovely though I hate to waste it sitting indoors, plenty of nasty Eastern Ontario winter ahead for reading marathons but I did promise my son I’d read at least three books while on vacation and not cook books…ha! Brit Box has a free trial going on which I might take advantage of to watch Outrageous.
September in a cottage on PEI sounds heavenly. 🙂
My two favourite Dervla books are: On a Shoestring to Coorg and Where the Indus is Young. Travels with a young child, meeting lots of people, domestic detail. Fabulous!
Thanks so much for the recommendations.
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