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sophie_paterson's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
dan78's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, light and filled with all the characters you'd expect from a Nancy Mitford novel.
Whilst it doesn't have the edge of The Pursuit of Love it still makes you smile as you read the comic adventures of Bright Young Things meeting their match in the entitled and genry of the Countryside!
Perfect reading for a Sunday Morning watching the snow fall (which is today)
Whilst it doesn't have the edge of The Pursuit of Love it still makes you smile as you read the comic adventures of Bright Young Things meeting their match in the entitled and genry of the Countryside!
Perfect reading for a Sunday Morning watching the snow fall (which is today)
runtobooks's review against another edition
3.0
maybe closer to 2.5 stars?? i really liked the characters in this book but there was virtually no plot? or at least it never felt like the story built to anything before it abruptly ended. this was her first novel though, so would definitely be willing to give another of her books a go!
bookmarked642's review against another edition
3.0
I can't say there are many classic novels that I've really enjoyed, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book when I really focused on it. It is a comedy, and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't appreciate the humour as the book was originally published back in 1931. I will admit that I maybe didn't enjoy it as much as I could have, but I did quite like it and find it quite interesting.
It follows Albert Gates, an artist who has moved to Paris, as he accompanies friends to Dalloch Castle in the Scottish Highlands. He meets Jane there, and they bond while irritating the other guests to keep themselves amused. The friends of Albert's, Sally and Walter, have their own happenings both during the holiday and after returning home.
Albert opens an art exhibition that receives more attention than Jane anticipated, and Jane starts to panic. Is there a wedding on the horizon, or will Albert be going back to Paris alone?
This actually has some rather dramatic moments, including a fire that strikes in the night. The characters are all very different, such as the foreigner-hating General Murgatroyd (whom Albert takes great joy in winding up). At first, I really wasn't taken with this book. But when I sat and really read it, I actually did start to enjoy it.
I really don't read books like this usually, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it. But it is a good book, and I definitely recommend it for lovers of classics or similar genres to this. 3 to 3.5 stars.
It follows Albert Gates, an artist who has moved to Paris, as he accompanies friends to Dalloch Castle in the Scottish Highlands. He meets Jane there, and they bond while irritating the other guests to keep themselves amused. The friends of Albert's, Sally and Walter, have their own happenings both during the holiday and after returning home.
Albert opens an art exhibition that receives more attention than Jane anticipated, and Jane starts to panic. Is there a wedding on the horizon, or will Albert be going back to Paris alone?
This actually has some rather dramatic moments, including a fire that strikes in the night. The characters are all very different, such as the foreigner-hating General Murgatroyd (whom Albert takes great joy in winding up). At first, I really wasn't taken with this book. But when I sat and really read it, I actually did start to enjoy it.
I really don't read books like this usually, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it. But it is a good book, and I definitely recommend it for lovers of classics or similar genres to this. 3 to 3.5 stars.
maccymacd's review against another edition
4.0
Another Nancy Mitford that I adored. She's wonderful. I think alternating between her and Barbara Pym should be used to treat depression because both will have you laughing numerous times.
'Highland Fling' follows four people, Alfred, Jane, Sally and Walter (who have just recently got married) who are invited to spend time in a grand castle in Scotland by Sally's kindly relatives. Once there, there are arguments, disappearing picnic baskets, fires, drunken singsongs and general madness. Oh, and a love affair blossoms that has the potential to make or break the holiday.
Nancy Mitford is someone whom I would've loved to have known, I find myself so in sync with her humour that it makes me sad how little she wrote.
'Highland Fling' follows four people, Alfred, Jane, Sally and Walter (who have just recently got married) who are invited to spend time in a grand castle in Scotland by Sally's kindly relatives. Once there, there are arguments, disappearing picnic baskets, fires, drunken singsongs and general madness. Oh, and a love affair blossoms that has the potential to make or break the holiday.
Nancy Mitford is someone whom I would've loved to have known, I find myself so in sync with her humour that it makes me sad how little she wrote.
lucyarditi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
karelle's review against another edition
3.0
Vraiment plus un 3 étoiles et demi que ce 3 étoiles qui me semble manquer de générosité, car même si c'était plus inégal que "Christmas Pudding" et que le début était assez long, il y a des passages qui m'ont vraiment, vraiment beaucoup fait rire (comme ce picnic et les péripéties qui s'en sont suivies; j'ai ri aux larmes pendant pratiquement tout le chapitre. Aussi, les deux fois où j'ai lu un roman de Nancy Mitford, je me suis sentie comme si le meurtre allait arriver d'une minute à l'autre, car ça se passe toujours dans des maisons de campagne avec un groupe réduit de personnes, généralement "witty" et sarcastiques, ayant des problèmes d'argent, des clash générationnels ou de classes sociales, parfois des désaccords ou des haines; mais il n'y a jamais de meurtre, ça finit simplement toujours par des situations rocambolesques et absurdes... au fond, j'écris tout ça maintenant, et je me rends compte que le style de Nancy Mitford me fait beaucoup penser à celui Georgette Heyer, surtout "Footsteps in the Dark" - il y avait même un "fantôme" dans "Highland Fling"!
P.-S: Ce n'est pas cette édition que j'ai lu, j'ai un gros volume avec tous les romans de Mitford.
P.-S: Ce n'est pas cette édition que j'ai lu, j'ai un gros volume avec tous les romans de Mitford.
garbo2garbo's review against another edition
3.0
I adore Nancy Mitford, and so naturally I wanted to read some of her earlier work. This being her first novel, it has that familiar Mitford satirical style, but where her celebrated wit is so cutting, focused and hilarious in her later work, it is clearly in the early, undefined stages here. If this was by any other author, this would be a most acceptable inoffensive novel, but knowing her later capabilities, it is not up to par with her later work.
Worth a read, particularly if a fan of Mitford. Generally enjoyable, and a goodfirst novel for such a celebrated novelist (I have read far far worse first novels from celebrated authors - comparatively, this is a treat!).
Edit: I also learnt lots of scottish vernacular!! Fun!
Worth a read, particularly if a fan of Mitford. Generally enjoyable, and a goodfirst novel for such a celebrated novelist (I have read far far worse first novels from celebrated authors - comparatively, this is a treat!).
Edit: I also learnt lots of scottish vernacular!! Fun!
robyncourtney's review against another edition
5.0
My first Nancy Mitford book and certainly not my last.