The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History, Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History, Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
I wrote this review for Amazon:
This is the first book I've read by the Mitford sisters - I now want to move on to the other books of letters by Nancy and Jessica as well as some of the Mitford's autobiographies.
I found these letters fascinating because, as is noted in one of the introductions, this is the first book of letters to chart the lives of six siblings over the span of some 70+ years. I was a little disappointed that a lot of historical events from the sisters' points of view seemed to have been left out, but it was still interesting reading through the decades.
I understand that the volume of letters was daunting and cuts had to be made in order to get the most out of as many letters as possible, but it was still disappointing to read so many short letters. Also, the number of letters to and from Pam made one wonder why there were so few letters. It was never really explained why there were so few letters; unless an explanation, culled from an introduction to one section, was that most of her letters seemed to revolve around her dogs, chickens, and food - massive amounts of food and menus. But, she is referred to in many of the letters - maybe that excuses the lack of Pam.
I found to be very helpful reasonably frequent editorial comments (translations of made up languages between the sisters and explanations of certain words) that kept cropping up, in the likely event that one forgot the meaning of certain words.
I really enjoyed this book and can't help but hope that another volume is in process.
This is the first book I've read by the Mitford sisters - I now want to move on to the other books of letters by Nancy and Jessica as well as some of the Mitford's autobiographies.
I found these letters fascinating because, as is noted in one of the introductions, this is the first book of letters to chart the lives of six siblings over the span of some 70+ years. I was a little disappointed that a lot of historical events from the sisters' points of view seemed to have been left out, but it was still interesting reading through the decades.
I understand that the volume of letters was daunting and cuts had to be made in order to get the most out of as many letters as possible, but it was still disappointing to read so many short letters. Also, the number of letters to and from Pam made one wonder why there were so few letters. It was never really explained why there were so few letters; unless an explanation, culled from an introduction to one section, was that most of her letters seemed to revolve around her dogs, chickens, and food - massive amounts of food and menus. But, she is referred to in many of the letters - maybe that excuses the lack of Pam.
I found to be very helpful reasonably frequent editorial comments (translations of made up languages between the sisters and explanations of certain words) that kept cropping up, in the likely event that one forgot the meaning of certain words.
I really enjoyed this book and can't help but hope that another volume is in process.
