Reviews

The Blessing by Nancy Mitford

bookeared's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition

4.0

This isn't my favorite Nancy Mitford novel, but I enjoyed it all the same. I think you have to care more about manners and society in France than I do to really get into this book. Also there's a long-winded American whose long passages I had to skip because they were making me crazy. But the central premise, of a boy who tries to keep his parents apart because he has a better time being spoiled by them individually than when they're together, is amusing.

maplessence's review against another edition

5.0

I'm on Team Sigi.

& that's really all I want to say about this wonderful novel. If this is Mitford's weakest work of fiction, her other titles must be amazing! Enjoy this book for it's wit & charm. Don't read any reviews (other than this one!) & don't read the blurbs. My copy did have very minor spoilers & I would have preferred to approach without any preconceptions!

eak1013's review against another edition

4.0

Marvelous for Mitford's exquisite devotion to France and French society, but the characters begin to grate, ever so slightly. Whereas her frivolous society girls in [b:The Pursuit of Love|835458|The Pursuit of Love|Nancy Mitford|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1178768641s/835458.jpg|821072] and [b:Love in a Cold Climate|372811|Love in a Cold Climate|Nancy Mitford|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1174251844s/372811.jpg|23641365] come across as charming despite their ridiculousness, I spent most of this novel wanting to shake everyone, but especially Grace and Charles-Edouard. Let us not even speak of their offspring, the precocious plot moppet extraordinaire Sigi, though it is fair to say that Mitford gave him an excellent set-up and explanation for why he is as selfish and manipulative as he is. Still doesn't repress the urge to shake.

Oddly enough, I think this is the closest Mitford ever really gets to a happily ever after. That's exactly as funny and depressing as it should be.

stagasaurus's review

3.0

I enjoyed this but in a very light way. I couldn't rouse any deep feelings for any of the characters apart from wishing Carolyn would stub her toe badly and be therefore excused from taking part in the rest of the book. It was funny, undoubtedly.

I would like to read more Nancy Mitford to compare. Anyone have any recommendations?

Spoiler

I enjoyed the ending, which suprised me somehow. I must be more liberal about polygamy than I thought I was. I think Grace should get a boyfriend too. But not Hughie or the Captain.
I have never before desired to send a child to boarding school, but Sigi seems to be a sociopath,
so I doubt it would do him any harm. Maybe in Eton they could sausage him and leave him locked in a cupboard for a while.

alicerowano's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

eenace's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

hollyroberts's review against another edition

3.0

After being fascinated by the Mitford sisters (AKA England's 20th century answer to the Kardashians) for years, I finally read some of Nancy Mitford's work! I was enchanted by the setting and concept of this text, and it certainly provided laughs along the way. A great insight into contemporary life, particularly into that of France in the years following World War II. 

differentsisters's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

mdelreal's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I really didn't enjoy this one. The style was easy to read and the writing was good but I just couldn't get past the fact that I didn't like any of the characters at all. Therefore I didn't care what happened to them or what they were doing. I had to force myself to finish it.