I picked up this battered paperback in the telephone book swap. I hadn't read a Nancy Mitford book for years and this edition had a story that was new to me.
So here's an old favourite, 'The Pursuit of Love.' And what a great opening page! Right from the start it is sarky and funny and nostalgically sad. It re-introduced me to the Bolter who has the last words in the novel. When told that, "he was the great love of her life, you know," she replies,
'Oh dulling, one always thinks that. Every, every time."
The novel in the book that I hadn't previously read, nor, indeed ever heard of was, "The Blessing." Having now read it I'm not surprised that it sank into oblivion!
From the traveling library I chose
A reliable author and another title mentioning love.
Lark House
When Irina Bazili began working at Lark House in 2010, she was twenty-three years old but already had few illusions about life. Since the age of fifteen she had drifted from one job, one town, to another. She could not have imagined she would find a perfect niche for herself in that senior resident, or that over the next three years she would come to be as happy as in her childhood, before fate took a hand.
I had great hopes of being enthralled by this story but it wasn't the case, it felt curiously flat. If you've read it I wonder if you felt the same. Joining up with Barbara at Bibliophile by the sea who hosts Tuesday Intros.
The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate omnibus has been on my shelf - unread -for too long!
ReplyDeleteI like the intro of The Japanese Lover. Sorry to hear the book wasn't a winner for you.
Oh, do take them down from your shelf, JoAnn. Now I would like to read about Nancy and her sisters.
DeleteI thought that I would really enjoy, 'The Japanese Lover.' It had all the 21st Century concerns in it but they seemed to me to be too consciously placed. Tokenism? Perhaps the book may resonate more with American readers.
I've read other books by Isabel Allende and loved them all. I'll definitely read The Japanese Lover too.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post features THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER.
I'd love to have your opinion once you've read it, Sandra. Now I'm going to go over to your blog and take a look at, 'Three Weeks with my Brother.' (I don't think that I could manage to hold out for three weeks with mine!)
DeleteThe Mitford will be on my reading list. I've heard so much about "the Mitford girls" but never read one of Nancy's books.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a bunch they were!
DeleteJust finished Fates and Furies. Going to read an Oliver Sack's book next.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of F and F? Do you recommend it? It sounds a great idea to see two sides of a marriage, I think I shall have to read it.
DeleteI just love Nancy Mitford. She always calls it like it is. Well, that was fun. I played a bit of catch-up and just spent the afternoon with you and all of your adventures. I'll try not to be such a stranger. XXOO
ReplyDeleteOh, dulling, how nice to hear from you.
DeleteI'd like to read -The Pursuit of Love.
ReplyDeleteIt's a period piece - but then, so am I!
DeleteI have started so many books that have showed so much promise in the beginning but then it weaves off and it is sometimes a chore to finish it. It also happens the other way, and that becomes a joy.
ReplyDeleteBut are you like me, Maybe, and even if the book turns out to be shocker you have to read to the end anyway to find out what happens!
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