Like her five literary sisters, Diana Mitford has written widely not only on her own fascinating, controversial life, but has recorded her intimately-placed observations of friends who also happened to have been leading political and social figures of the day. The majority of these scintillating articles circulated privately to a small group of people are published for the very first time in this volume.
The Pursuit of Laughter: Essays, Reviews and Diary
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Review
'Roar with laughter.' Laura Thompson --1
'with brilliant interviews by Duncan Fallowell.' Independent --1
Controversial opinions and catty humour... impossible not to be dazzled. Catherine Heaney, Irish Times --1
'Her love of laughter and witty observation... are a delight' Sunday Telegraph --1
Controversial opinions and catty humour... impossible not to be dazzled. Catherine Heaney, Irish Times --1
'with brilliant interviews by Duncan Fallowell.' Independent --1
Controversial opinions and catty humour... impossible not to be dazzled. Catherine Heaney, Irish Times --1
'Her love of laughter and witty observation... are a delight' Sunday Telegraph --1
Controversial opinions and catty humour... impossible not to be dazzled. Catherine Heaney, Irish Times --1
About the Author
Diana Mitford was the third of the Mitford sisters. She first married a Guinness, with whom she had two children, and then Oswald Mosley, with whom she also had two children. She then became a bestselling author with her autobiography A Life of Contrasts and The Duchess of Windsor. Deborah Devonshire is the dowager duchess of Devonshire, the youngest Mitford sister and a best-selling writer.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I got this after reading The collected letters of the six Mitford sisters, which I found utterly gripping. I have to confess to not being quite as gripped by this collection.
I loved the diary section of the book, but thought that it was too short by comparison with the numerous book reviews included. Some of the book reviews were fascinating, but too many were about subjects I didn't care for, and her voice is not always compelling enough to carry a story about such a subject for me. I also got a little tired of the fact that many of the reviews, which seem to be clumped together by subject were clearly written together with a large amount of crossover material.
The book was too uneven and did not work with the wonderful harmony of the collected letters. I enjoyed the three portraits at the end of the volume about Evelyn Waugh, Violet Hammersley and Lytton Strachey, but there weren't enough of these wonderful moments to make the volume a total success for me.
I loved the diary section of the book, but thought that it was too short by comparison with the numerous book reviews included. Some of the book reviews were fascinating, but too many were about subjects I didn't care for, and her voice is not always compelling enough to carry a story about such a subject for me. I also got a little tired of the fact that many of the reviews, which seem to be clumped together by subject were clearly written together with a large amount of crossover material.
The book was too uneven and did not work with the wonderful harmony of the collected letters. I enjoyed the three portraits at the end of the volume about Evelyn Waugh, Violet Hammersley and Lytton Strachey, but there weren't enough of these wonderful moments to make the volume a total success for me.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Clive A. H. Still
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Diana Mosley, married to the fascist politician Oswald Mosley and friend of Adolph Hitler, was one of the famous Mitford sisters. As this collection shows, she was a woman of formidable intellect and wit whose prose style, like that of her literary sisters, is sparklingly elegant.
The book reviews at the beginning of the book are particularly interesting as Diana had knowledge of many of the authors and characters involved and gives an appealling insight into their backgrounds.
The second section is comprised of her diaries and the third is potted biographies of various famous people she knew - the Evelyn Waugh she describes, for example, being far from the Evelyn Waugh of tradition.
Although her political views poke through the text now and again, this book is an entertaining read and a worthy addition to the Mitford canon.
The book reviews at the beginning of the book are particularly interesting as Diana had knowledge of many of the authors and characters involved and gives an appealling insight into their backgrounds.
The second section is comprised of her diaries and the third is potted biographies of various famous people she knew - the Evelyn Waugh she describes, for example, being far from the Evelyn Waugh of tradition.
Although her political views poke through the text now and again, this book is an entertaining read and a worthy addition to the Mitford canon.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By G. Davies
Format:Hardcover
I must recommend this book, it is a treasure trove of Diana's collected journalism. Most of all, I enjoyed the diversity, she covers topics from literature, sex and religion to politics and war. The book is highly informative and you feel confident in the knowledge that she is a highly competent book reviewer.
Amidst the intelligent and lengthy essays, there are some truly witty gems. Perhaps the most entertaining review included is that of The Diaries of Cynthia Gladwyn. The review titled 'Catty Musings of a Living Doll' is genuinely assessed in a competent manner and still manages to be hillarious simultaneously.
How curious, I see that the future paperback release cover advertises the authour as 'Diana Mitford' rather than Diana Mosley. But I think that in recent times her works are being appreciated as a stand-alone success, regardless of her husband's politics. She has cemented her name as a bona fide Mitfordian writer, that easily rivals the works of Nancy and Jessica.
Amidst the intelligent and lengthy essays, there are some truly witty gems. Perhaps the most entertaining review included is that of The Diaries of Cynthia Gladwyn. The review titled 'Catty Musings of a Living Doll' is genuinely assessed in a competent manner and still manages to be hillarious simultaneously.
How curious, I see that the future paperback release cover advertises the authour as 'Diana Mitford' rather than Diana Mosley. But I think that in recent times her works are being appreciated as a stand-alone success, regardless of her husband's politics. She has cemented her name as a bona fide Mitfordian writer, that easily rivals the works of Nancy and Jessica.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Seven decades in review
Aristocratic, beautiful, intelligent, charming, literate and trilingual, a personal friend of Hitler (who was a witness at her wedding to a charismatic politician who vociferously... Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2010 by Paul Magnussen
5.0 out of 5 stars
An iconoclast's view
I loved this book. Lady Mosley was well-connected, well read, and married one of the most notorious politicians of pre-War England, both she and her husband were imprisoned, on... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by Alys
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