Status
Available
Publication
John Murray (2010), Edition: 1st Edition, 168 pages
Description
'My father would not have wasted time reading - a trait I have inherited from him.' The unmistakeable voice of Deborah Devonshire, the youngest of the Mitford sisters, rings out of this second volume of her occasional writings. As broad and eclectic as her long and eventful life, the pieces range from a ringside view of John F. Kennedy's inauguration and funeral, a valedictory for her local post office, the 1938 London season, Christmas at Chatsworth and the hazards of shopping for clothes when your eyesight is failing. Affectionate, shrewd and uproariously funny, her no-nonsense, bang-on-the-nail observations are as good as any antidepressant.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member devenish
This delightful book of odds and ends (or peckings as she would have it) is the second offering by Deborah Devonshire. The dowager Duchess of Devonshire,the youngest of the Mitford sisters is a witty and entertaining writer. Most of these short pieces are very funny and the few that are not (such
As extra treats the reader is given an introduction by Alan Bennett and some drawings that fit the text so well,by Will Topley.
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as a couple about President Kennedy) give an interesting inside view of world events of the time. However it is in the shorter and more parochial essays that the Duchess really shines. The description of 'The Farmer's Club Dinner' , the chapter on 'Writing A Book' and the short ,'Buying Clothes' are just brilliant.As extra treats the reader is given an introduction by Alan Bennett and some drawings that fit the text so well,by Will Topley.
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LibraryThing member Fliss88
This has been sitting on my shelf for years! Deborah Devonshire was the youngest of the famous Mitford daughters and after marriage to the 11th Duke of Devonshire she became a Duchess, moving into Chatworth House on the Duke gaining his inheritance. After reading this lovely reminiscent collection
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of stories I’m a fan. She writes with a relaxed friendly style and name drops with appalling ease about various Lords, Ladies, Dukes and Earls with nary an ounce of snobbishness. All these aristocrats were her friends and acquaintances, just part of her life and no one else could probably write about the problems of wearing a tiara and make it sound normal. I got the feeling that Deborarh Devonshire would have been (she died in 2014) a delight to know in person. She was well read, intelligent, funny, thoughtful and had that special quality of being able to talk with anyone about anything and make that person feel important. There are some black and white sketches which add a nice touch and there’s a very personal introduction by Alan Bennett which I recommend everyone read! Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8 inches
ISBN
1848541899 / 9781848541894