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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I can’t decide if the Mitford family works better as fiction or nonfiction. If they hadn’t actually existed, we would probably consider their fictional equivalents too outlandish and improbable, a too on-the-nose attempt to lampoon the aristocracy while shoehorning in some early-twentieth-century politics. But in The Pursuit of Love, just one of eldest sister Nancy’s novelisations of her fabulously bizarre family, little details like Uncle Matthew’s tendency to “hunt” the children are hardly twee set-dressing; that was taken directly from life with the Mitfords.
At this point, I’ve read some of Nancy’s other novels, plus Jessica’s memoir of their upbringing (Hons and Rebels), plus Mary S. Lovell’s biography of the whole crew (The Sisters), plus Jo Walton’s fictional take on some Mitford-esque ladies and their hapless political intrigue (Ha’penny). The Pursuit of Love felt a little like The Mitfords’ Greatest Hits: The Early Years. The family in happier times, before Diana and Unity took up with the Fascists and the Nazis. But despite the familiarity of the context and many of the anecdotes, Nancy’s prose is just so breezy (yet shot through with prickly observations and sharp wit) that it’s kind of impossible to complain.
At this point, I’ve read some of Nancy’s other novels, plus Jessica’s memoir of their upbringing (Hons and Rebels), plus Mary S. Lovell’s biography of the whole crew (The Sisters), plus Jo Walton’s fictional take on some Mitford-esque ladies and their hapless political intrigue (Ha’penny). The Pursuit of Love felt a little like The Mitfords’ Greatest Hits: The Early Years. The family in happier times, before Diana and Unity took up with the Fascists and the Nazis. But despite the familiarity of the context and many of the anecdotes, Nancy’s prose is just so breezy (yet shot through with prickly observations and sharp wit) that it’s kind of impossible to complain.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm so grateful that my friend, Melissa, read this book before me and shared her review on Instagram. When I first started reading, I wasn't at all very interested in the place or the people. Once I read Michelle's positive review, I decided to keep going (since we both like the same types of books). I'm glad I did.
Once I got used to Nancy Mitford's writing style, I began to feel much more invested in the story and its characters. Even though you hardly know anything about Fanny (the narrator), you just love her so much. I wish there was an entire book just about Fanny's life from her own point of view. I would give that novel a 5
Once I got used to Nancy Mitford's writing style, I began to feel much more invested in the story and its characters. Even though you hardly know anything about Fanny (the narrator), you just love her so much. I wish there was an entire book just about Fanny's life from her own point of view. I would give that novel a 5
It is when I read books like this that I have to grudgingly admit that "The Great Gatsby" actually has merit. F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous work, for all its dislikable characters and ridiculous plot, pulled back the curtain on the Roaring 20s to reveal the broken souls of the Bright Young Things who lived meaningless lives with all the passion they could muster. This book tried to do something similar, but failed because for the vast majority of the book the characters are neither likable nor dislikable. They simply are - and that's rather boring for a reader.
Perhaps I'll like this book better on a second read, but it'll likely be years before I get around to that.
Perhaps I'll like this book better on a second read, but it'll likely be years before I get around to that.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
How was there no tragedy tag? I was completely blindsided.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, War
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes