THE MITFORD GIRLS tells the true story behind the gaiety and frivolity of the six Mitford daughters - and the facts are as sensational as any novel: Nancy, whose bright social existence masked an obsessional doomed love which soured her success; Pam, a countrywoman married to one of the best brains in Europe; Diana, an iconic beauty, who was already married when at 22 she fell in love with Oswald Moseley, the leader of the British fascists; Unity, who romantically in love with Hitler, became a member of his inner circle before shooting herself in the temple when WWII was declared; Jessica, the family rebel, who declared herself a communist in the schoolroom and the youngest sister, Debo, who became the Duchess of Devonshire.This is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary family, containing much new material, based on exclusive access to Mitford archives.
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In The Mitford Girls, Mary S Lovell cordially brings together the varied personalities of an eccentric British blue-eyed sisterhood that spanned the 20th century. Born of "minor provincial aristocracy", as the late Lord Longford put it, the six Mitford sisters and one brother came to epitomise the Bright Young Thing generation of London society, hosting the extravagant, giddy parties lampooned by Evelyn Waugh in Vile Bodies. Nancy, the literary dry wit, was herself to write several successful novels, most notably Love in a Cold Climate and The Pursuit of Love, which followed the family prescription of fact doused with fiction. Notoriety, though, came elsewhere. Diana, beautiful and strong-willed, left Bryan Guinness the month Hitler came to power in Germany to be with dashing British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, whom she eventually married. A meeting of hearts and beliefs, they stayed together through internment during the war, and the years after.
Tragedy came with the manic public fervour of the unfortunately named Unity for Hitler and the German Nazi Party. She met the Führer on 140 occasions between 1935 and 1939, achieving a rare intimacy, but when war broke out she shot herself in a vain bid to end her life, which left her disabled for the rest of her life. Decca was the leftwing antithesis of Unity, who wrote The American Way of Death and Hons and Rebels, the latter every bit as witty as Nancy's work. The other siblings--Pam, wooed by John Betjeman, Debo, who became Duchess of Devonshire, and Tom--receive fairly scant attention in an account understandably dominated by pre-1945 events, when much of the British aristocracy flirted with fascism. In abstaining from judgement, Lovell, who writes fluently and never loses sight of her charges, comes close to underplaying the Mitfords' more unsavoury views and behaviour, though her task is inevitably fraught with negotiation, particularly as Debo and Diana are still alive. The diverse energies of this multi-plumed brood, who in adult life were rarely in the same room, make them hard to contain in one book, and perhaps require more distance to do justice to the themes, and disparities, of their extraordinary lives. --David Vincent --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
In The Mitford Girls, Mary S Lovell cordially brings together the varied personalities of an eccentric British blue-eyed sisterhood that spanned the 20th century. Born of "minor provincial aristocracy", as the late Lord Longford put it, the six Mitford sisters and one brother came to epitomise the Bright Young Thing generation of London society, hosting the extravagant, giddy parties lampooned by Evelyn Waugh in Vile Bodies. Nancy, the literary dry wit, was herself to write several successful novels, most notably Love in a Cold Climate and The Pursuit of Love, which followed the family prescription of fact doused with fiction. Notoriety, though, came elsewhere. Diana, beautiful and strong-willed, left Bryan Guinness the month Hitler came to power in Germany to be with dashing British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, whom she eventually married. A meeting of hearts and beliefs, they stayed together through internment during the war, and the years after. Tragedy came with the manic public fervour of the unfortunately named Unity for Hitler and the German Nazi Party. She met the Führer on 140 occasions between 1935 and 1939, achieving a rare intimacy, but when war broke out she shot herself in a vain bid to end her life, which left her disabled for the rest of her life. Decca was the leftwing antithesis of Unity, who wrote The American Way of Death and Hons and Rebels, the latter every bit as witty as Nancy's work. The other siblings--Pam, wooed by John Betjeman, Debo, who became Duchess of Devonshire, and Tom--receive fairly scant attention in an account understandably dominated by pre-1945 events, when much of the British aristocracy flirted with fascism. In abstaining from judgement, Lovell, who writes fluently and never loses sight of her charges, comes close to underplaying the Mitford s' more unsavoury views and behaviour, though her task is inevitably fraught with negotiation, particularly as Debo and Diana are still alive. The diverse energies of this multi-plumed brood, who in adult life were rarely in the same room, make them hard to contain in one book, and perhaps require more distance to do justice to the themes, and disparities, of their extraordinary lives. (David Vincent, AMAZON.CO.UK )
In the first book devoted to the whole tribe, Lovell does sterling work in revising our Nancy-made image of her parents in her novel THE PURSUIT OF LOVE (Sunday TIMES )
In the first book devoted to the whole tribe, Lovell does sterling work in revising our Nancy-made image of her parents in her novel THE PURSUIT OF LOVE (Sunday TIMES )
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During the course of researching and writing this book I have often been asked the question that people ask endlessly of a biographer: 'Who are you writing about at the moment?' Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
During the course of researching and writing this book I have often been asked the question that people ask endlessly of a biographer: 'Who are you writing about at the moment?' Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This has to be one of the most enjoyable biographies I have read for a long time. Although it's not a short book, it makes easy reading, written as it is in Mary Lowell's delightful style that is strongly reminiscent of Nancy Mitford's books. If you know her books, you'll love it for the insight into her life behind the books, particularly the girls' fascinating childhood; if you don't you'll be intrigued by the ups and downs of the family fortunes and their friendships with notable figures from Hitler to the Kennedys. This book is not just a biography of a famous and remarkable family, it is also a panoramic view of the history of the last century. Whatever happened, a Mitford was there - the war (both in Germany and Britain), the Communist movement, and so much more.
Reading biography is almost as much an art as writing one, in the way each reader relates personally to the characters with whom they become intellectually involved, and in the reading of this book it is easy to become very involved indeed and, unlike many biographies, it does not seem to fade away towards the end; Mary Lowell's writing retains our interest right until the close.
Reading biography is almost as much an art as writing one, in the way each reader relates personally to the characters with whom they become intellectually involved, and in the reading of this book it is easy to become very involved indeed and, unlike many biographies, it does not seem to fade away towards the end; Mary Lowell's writing retains our interest right until the close.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a long book, and about a quarter of the way through it dragged a bit for a few chapters, but that is my only real criticism. I really enjoyed it - if it had been a fiction work, it would all have seemed a little far-fetched: how could one family be involved in so many of the key events of the 20th century? Close friend of Hitler, member of American Communist party, cousins of Winston Churchill, well-known authors, the Kennedy connection, owner and saviour of Chatsworth - they'll all in here, and the characters and family dynamics are all interesting and complex enough to keep you intrigued.......
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By K. Larkins
Format:Paperback
I have never written a review on Amazon before but was so annoyed by the authors biased account of the Mitford sisters that I felt I had to say something. This book is interesting purely because the Mitford sisters were interesting, not because this book is particularly well written.
The author is obviously very taken with Diana Mitford and gushes throughout. There is no criticism about Diana's support of fascsim or friendship with Hitler. The author tries to prevent the reader from judging the Moselys throughout and goes in to much detail about the hardship they faced in prison during the war years. I also find it strange that she never mentions Diana's opinion on Hitler's policies towards the Jews. We hear how Unity Mitford laughed when she learned that one leading Nazi had made a group of Jewish people mow a field of grass with their teeth. What did the Moselys think of this? How could they still like Hitler when stories like this were coming to light before the war?
I actually think this books does Diana a disservice because all we really hear about her is that she is beautiful and very much in love with Mosely. Surely there was more to her, good and bad.
I found the authors description of Decca Mitford harsh. Decca's support of the communist party is not forgiven nearly as easily as Diana's support of fascism. Decca gives birth to a stillborn daughter and people at the time commented that this could be due to Decca's communist activities. Instead of highlighting how hurtful and unfair this is the author comments that this just shows how much people don't like being told which political beliefs to hold.
Decca sounds like an inspirational woman, staying true to her politics throughout her life. Unlike Diana and Sydney she is also critical about her earlier beliefs and is far more self aware.
Both Decca's marriages sound loving and fulfilling yet these marriages are not given the great billing that the Mosely marraige is given (despite Oswald Mosely's many affairs).
It is a shame that the author is so biased because as I say they are a very interesting family. I can't help but think this book is so biased because Diana Mitford was still alive when the book was published. The author had met and very much liked Diana Mitford which really does colour her account of the sisters lives.
The author is obviously very taken with Diana Mitford and gushes throughout. There is no criticism about Diana's support of fascsim or friendship with Hitler. The author tries to prevent the reader from judging the Moselys throughout and goes in to much detail about the hardship they faced in prison during the war years. I also find it strange that she never mentions Diana's opinion on Hitler's policies towards the Jews. We hear how Unity Mitford laughed when she learned that one leading Nazi had made a group of Jewish people mow a field of grass with their teeth. What did the Moselys think of this? How could they still like Hitler when stories like this were coming to light before the war?
I actually think this books does Diana a disservice because all we really hear about her is that she is beautiful and very much in love with Mosely. Surely there was more to her, good and bad.
I found the authors description of Decca Mitford harsh. Decca's support of the communist party is not forgiven nearly as easily as Diana's support of fascism. Decca gives birth to a stillborn daughter and people at the time commented that this could be due to Decca's communist activities. Instead of highlighting how hurtful and unfair this is the author comments that this just shows how much people don't like being told which political beliefs to hold.
Decca sounds like an inspirational woman, staying true to her politics throughout her life. Unlike Diana and Sydney she is also critical about her earlier beliefs and is far more self aware.
Both Decca's marriages sound loving and fulfilling yet these marriages are not given the great billing that the Mosely marraige is given (despite Oswald Mosely's many affairs).
It is a shame that the author is so biased because as I say they are a very interesting family. I can't help but think this book is so biased because Diana Mitford was still alive when the book was published. The author had met and very much liked Diana Mitford which really does colour her account of the sisters lives.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mitford Girls
The book was a gift and was in good condition as described. I haven't read it myself but the recipient was pleased with it
Published 5 days ago by cathy cave
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Mitford family.
I have read more interesting books on the Mitford family, although not one on the whole family.I skipped a few pages to get it out of the way
Published 2 months ago by Sheila Goddard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and very amusing
Interesting from an historical point of view and very amusing. A real page turner!! Who would have thought those six girls would have had such an interesting history?
Published 3 months ago by A. W. Kissack
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious reading!
What a pleasure to review such an splendid book about a mad and elegant familly in a mad and elegant period. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Randle Julian
1.0 out of 5 stars
Amazon Kindle!
The one star does not mean I hated this book. It means I couldn't get access to it on my android VersusTouchtab 7. Read more
Published 3 months ago by MRS. CATHERINE HARGREAVES
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book
Fabulous book, such interesting women, Mary Lovell has inspired me to read many other Mitford biographies and autobiographies:)I would also recommend Mary Lovell's book on the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. E. Cathcart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I love the book. It arrived fast, in excellent condition, and I love the story. It's well written and as I did not know much about the Mitford sisters I an finding it very... Read more
Published 4 months ago by D Jarrett
4.0 out of 5 stars
`Vintage', `Retro' Reading.
Our Book Club choice this month, a worthwhile, valuable experience, with such a rich tapestry of period and personalities to discuss. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Katharine Kirby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
A brilliant biography on the lives of the Mitford girls. Had it on paperback before, and now on Kindle. It is one you can read again and again. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ellysmum
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good if you have read the other books by Mitford sisters
Having read a number of books by 'the girls' - from Love in a Cold Climate to Wait for Me ... etc it is an interesting easy read - if not very profound.
Published 6 months ago by strudel trigg
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