Hons and Rebels
The Mitford Family Memoir
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Orion Publishing Co
Published:20th Jun '99
Should be back in stock very soon
This memoir delves into the lives of the Mitford family, showcasing their eccentricities and historical significance. Hons and Rebels is both humorous and poignant.
In Hons and Rebels, the author shares an intimate glimpse into the life of the Mitford family, one of the most fascinating and controversial families of the 20th century. With a unique blend of humor and poignant reflection, the memoir explores the complexities of family dynamics against the backdrop of historical events, including the rise of fascism and the impact of World War II. The narrative is rich with anecdotes that reveal the eccentricities and charm of the Mitfords, making it a captivating read for anyone interested in the intersection of personal and political history.
The book highlights the distinctive personalities of the Mitford sisters, each of whom carved out her own path in a world filled with privilege and expectation. From Nancy's literary pursuits to Jessica's political activism, the memoir showcases a family that was both influential and enigmatic. As the author recounts her childhood experiences, she invites readers to reflect on the broader cultural shifts occurring during that tumultuous time, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone that makes the narrative accessible and engaging.
Ultimately, Hons and Rebels serves not only as a personal memoir but also as a cultural commentary, providing insights into a generation that shaped modern Britain. The author's ability to weave humor with serious themes creates a work that resonates with readers, offering both entertainment and a deeper understanding of a remarkable family legacy.
More than an extremely amusing autobiography ... she has evoked a whole generation. Her book is full of the music of time * SUNDAY TIMES *
[An] uproarious yet deadly portrait of family life and family politics ... It evokes the atmosphere of the 1930s with more feeling than almost any other book of the period -- Christopher Hitchens * THE ATLANTIC *
Wonderfully funny and very poignant -- Philip Toynbee
Stunning. Reads like an extravagantly mannered fiction, except that it is all fabulously true ... Miss Mitford is at once touching and wildly funny, and there is not one of highly coloured characters that is not violently alive and uncomfortably kicking -- Siriol Hugh-Jones * TATLER *
This book is just about my favourite book of all time ... I'm not entirely convinced I could like somebody who didn't like this book ... it's funny and moving and gives you an insight into this extraordinary moment as the war is about to begin ... it's so vivid, and what's more, it's incredibly current -- Robert Rinder * A GOOD READ, BBC Radio 4 *
Her awareness of where she's from and what she had is astonishing ... to maintain that kind of awareness is astonishing, and she is very funny, but she also writes very well ... she mixes the hugely political, the very sweeping things, with intensely personal moments -- Stella Duffy * A GOOD READ, BBC Radio 4 *
What is really quite amazing about this book, which I have read many, many times, and love ... [is] she's not La Pasionaria, she's not some really left-wing heroine, but she is amazing to have got from where she started to where she ended up -- Harriett Gilbert * A GOOD READ, BBC Radio 4 *
ISBN: 9780575400047
Dimensions: 196mm x 130mm x 28mm
Weight: 260g
288 pages