I am so glad you are back here. Abscission is indeed a lovely word and I greatly enjoyed this. I have also just bought the Mitford book and now have the documentary to watch too - thank you!
Hello June! Due to your mention of these Mitford ladies, I just inquired and purchased Jessica Mitford's: Poison Penmanship: The Gentle Art of Muckraking. :)
Thank you for this. I read all Nancy's novels in a couple of years about two decades ago, and absolutely loved them. She's to Angela Thirkell as Ben Travers is to PG Wodehouse for me - both are funny, but one is sharper and the adult in the room (clue: not Ange or Pelham). I've always meant to read the letters and the biography, and I'll have to get them now. Thanks also for the youtube link as I didn't know that doc existed. I have a soft spot for The Blessing as my 'best' Nancy, though I do love the slightly barmier aspects of 'Pigeon Pie'.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed this. To be honest, there are barmier aspects in almost everything she wrote. ‘Pigeon Pie’ is great, although I really enjoy her very early books like ‘Highland Fling’ and ‘Christmas Pudding’. All her letters are amazing - there is a huge volume of letters between Nancy and Evelyn Waugh which are terrific, and a collection of her own letters ‘Love from Nancy’ edited by Charlotte Mosley again are also great. Enjoy!
I loved this piece and the documentary. What fascinating women. Funny how they all had vivid memories of their younger years. Now I want to read a Nancy Mitford book.
Thank you for telling us about abscission! I'm watching the gathering autumn here with great interest, although the weather remains stubbornly warm in Tokyo. Soon, though, the ginkgo leaves will start to brighten and we'll be in for a wonderful show.
Dearest June THANK YOU!!!! I so love what you say here about the Mitfords - that marvellous YouTube doc (Diana recalling how Nancy's voice made people want to put her on the fire) - the letters, completely agree, they are unparalleled...
But then one is so pleased to have these mentions of ONE.
Truly generous and you have set me up beautifully for the weekend. Hope things are well with you, or at least not too bad x
I adore The Moving Finger... Agatha is surprisingly good at the male voice...
Ha! I laughed so much when I heard that about Nancy’s voice making people want to put her on the fire!! I haven’t watched this video for an age and it was lovely to see them all just giggling away in remembrance of Naunce. Even Pam, rocking with laughter in her country kitchen. Pam lived next door, in Caudle Green, to someone I used to work with. I occasionally drove past hoping for a glimpse. Also in the vid Diana being unable to stop herself calling attention to ‘the factually incorrect’… All so alike physically, all so close to laughter all the time.
Was it Diana that said something like ‘It’s so lovely, being lovely ONE.” ?
Nice to have you back. Great writing. Your Mitford sisters fixation is a strong memory of our time working together. Of course. I also have a love of the ‘between the wars’ period, but it only features male characters. Unforgivable.
Was tempted to write a couple of closing paragraphs for you to bring together, metaphorically, the sisters and falling leaves. It would have creaked but might have been fun. Just the thought of it made me realise that I have been marked by my TV career past. Long shadows cast of presenter links between incompatible news magazine items on daytime television.
Thank you so much for commenting. Your closing paras would have been gratefully received! You must write a guest post for me. I'm going to message you on facebook because I need to tell you something not suitable for here.
I am so glad you are back here. Abscission is indeed a lovely word and I greatly enjoyed this. I have also just bought the Mitford book and now have the documentary to watch too - thank you!
Enjoy!
Hello June! Due to your mention of these Mitford ladies, I just inquired and purchased Jessica Mitford's: Poison Penmanship: The Gentle Art of Muckraking. :)
Enjoy!
Well, this was delicious - and thanks so much for posting the link to the Nancy documentary! And abscission is a wonderful word!
Thank you so much! And you’re very welcome.
Thank you for this. I read all Nancy's novels in a couple of years about two decades ago, and absolutely loved them. She's to Angela Thirkell as Ben Travers is to PG Wodehouse for me - both are funny, but one is sharper and the adult in the room (clue: not Ange or Pelham). I've always meant to read the letters and the biography, and I'll have to get them now. Thanks also for the youtube link as I didn't know that doc existed. I have a soft spot for The Blessing as my 'best' Nancy, though I do love the slightly barmier aspects of 'Pigeon Pie'.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed this. To be honest, there are barmier aspects in almost everything she wrote. ‘Pigeon Pie’ is great, although I really enjoy her very early books like ‘Highland Fling’ and ‘Christmas Pudding’. All her letters are amazing - there is a huge volume of letters between Nancy and Evelyn Waugh which are terrific, and a collection of her own letters ‘Love from Nancy’ edited by Charlotte Mosley again are also great. Enjoy!
I loved this piece and the documentary. What fascinating women. Funny how they all had vivid memories of their younger years. Now I want to read a Nancy Mitford book.
You must! Try The Pursuit of Love. It’s her most well known and is wonderful. And thank you for the kind comments!
Glad you popped in June! Hope you’re doing okay. So many reasons people want to put you on the fire when you’re a woman ;)
Oh, yes indeed. 🔥
Thank you for telling us about abscission! I'm watching the gathering autumn here with great interest, although the weather remains stubbornly warm in Tokyo. Soon, though, the ginkgo leaves will start to brighten and we'll be in for a wonderful show.
I long for a small gingko tree in the garden - just for those golden autumn leaves.
Trees and the Mitfords — what could be better!
Dearest June THANK YOU!!!! I so love what you say here about the Mitfords - that marvellous YouTube doc (Diana recalling how Nancy's voice made people want to put her on the fire) - the letters, completely agree, they are unparalleled...
But then one is so pleased to have these mentions of ONE.
Truly generous and you have set me up beautifully for the weekend. Hope things are well with you, or at least not too bad x
I adore The Moving Finger... Agatha is surprisingly good at the male voice...
Ha! I laughed so much when I heard that about Nancy’s voice making people want to put her on the fire!! I haven’t watched this video for an age and it was lovely to see them all just giggling away in remembrance of Naunce. Even Pam, rocking with laughter in her country kitchen. Pam lived next door, in Caudle Green, to someone I used to work with. I occasionally drove past hoping for a glimpse. Also in the vid Diana being unable to stop herself calling attention to ‘the factually incorrect’… All so alike physically, all so close to laughter all the time.
Was it Diana that said something like ‘It’s so lovely, being lovely ONE.” ?
Yes, and I think she said it when she was in Holloway.
So Mitford.
Thanks so much for reminding me of that documentary, it's utterly magical... 'close to laughter' is exactly right...
Nice to have you back. Great writing. Your Mitford sisters fixation is a strong memory of our time working together. Of course. I also have a love of the ‘between the wars’ period, but it only features male characters. Unforgivable.
Was tempted to write a couple of closing paragraphs for you to bring together, metaphorically, the sisters and falling leaves. It would have creaked but might have been fun. Just the thought of it made me realise that I have been marked by my TV career past. Long shadows cast of presenter links between incompatible news magazine items on daytime television.
Stay healthy x
Thank you so much for commenting. Your closing paras would have been gratefully received! You must write a guest post for me. I'm going to message you on facebook because I need to tell you something not suitable for here.