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artificial_whipper_tears's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To me, "The Pursuit of Love" is a story about the lost generation. How the first world war affected not only the generation who fought, but their children's perception of war, going into WW2. As well as highlighting the dysfunctional human nature, which I think many of us can recognize our own experiences in. The emotionally stunted men who's only emotion is anger and pride in the violence they could cause. The women who, taught from a young age, blame themselves for the failures of both themselves and others. Who are brought up into a role they deep down don't want to play, but are dictated to by societal norms. And the desperation in seeking perfection, which only leads to more misery.
The Pursuit of Love is an interesting story, but Nancy Mitford's writing is what really brings it to life. She has a way with words that transport you vividly to a scene. Unlike many upper-class authors, Nancy does not assume anything about the reader, and so writes in a way we can all understand. It's why I love her so. My only complaint with the book is that Nancy writes French dialogue for small parts of the book and there is no translation to go along with it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Animal cruelty, War, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
kell_xavi's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.5
This is a book where not much happens, and even less if you choose not to consider infatuation an event. I liked Davey, Emily, Fanny, and Merlin, but not really anyone else, and even those four were of a petit bourgeois set that is so heteronormative and naïvely selfish most of the time. Linda is entertaining only as a sensitive, vulgar child surrounded by animals to nurture and hunt; Fabrice is an entitled creep from the start, and his encouragement of her submissive vapidity makes her even less interesting. The main aspect that’s worthwhile in Mitford’s writing is the setting, as it filled in a gap in my awareness of upper class British life in the early 20th century. And it’s funny, though the classism of much of the joviality drains its humour.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, and Pregnancy
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, and Classism
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