THE HOUSE OF MITFORD

by Jonathan with Catherine Guinness Guinness ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1985

This begins where other books about the formidable Mitford clan end. The authors, members of the family, had access to archives full of unpublished Mitford papers and entr‚e into the houses of surviving relatives and friends. There is some defensive bias (perhaps out of family loyalty) toward the less attractive Mitfords, however; describing a 1939 article supportive of the Nazi cause by Hitler's favorite blonde, Unity, the authors note that it appeared at a bad moment (Hitler had just invaded Czechoslovakia), but that it was ""rather well-written,"" as though that would make a difference. Did Unity sleep with the Fuhrer? The answer given is no, based on the flimsy evidence that she already had a German boy-friend. Diana (mother of Jonathan Guinness) married Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the black-shirred British Union of Fascists. The Mosleys' activities, which led to their imprisonment during WW II, are shown here as sincere, if ill-advised. Government retaliation is made to appear as cruel and mindlesss persecution, politically motivated and aggravated by wartime hysteria. In spite of these flaws, the book is delightfully readable, filled with fascinating peeps into personal letters and secret diaries. The earlier generations, wonderful Victorian eccentrics of wealth and privilege, are as amusing to read about as the later ones. And the Guinnesses do not make the usual mistake of starring Nancy and relegating everyone else to supporting roles. Mitford cultists will love it--and probably forgive the authors for being a little too fond of their subjects.

Pub Date: July 1, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION