Christmas Pudding

This is sort of like an absurd, hilariously funny Jane Austen, set between the World Wars among England's Bright Young Things. Poor Paul Fotheringay has poured his heart and soul into a tragic novel--at its end his despondent hero and heroine fail even in their suicide attempt--but though the public adores his book they universally think it's the funniest thing they've ever read. Being cruelly misunderstood by his audience and his status-seeking, head-turningly beautiful fiancee is making him wretched, but Paul revives when he comes up with a new project, the biography of a little known nineteenth century poet. While he is passing himself off as an outdoorsy (as if!) tutor to research the mysterious poet Lady Maria Bobbin (her diaries are in the hands of a fanatically sporty descendant) hunts are mounted, parties are attended, games are played, alcohol is consumed and people fall in and out of love at a shocking rate.

There is one scene in this book that struck me as so violently funny that Christmas Pudding will retain a place in my lifetime's hall of humor. Re-reading and even remembering brings on laughter that exceeds 98% of competing satires. Yet, I say that with hesitation because I've learned often that its foolish to bet on humor. ... I am a sucker for those descriptions of the most stuffy and stupid British upperclass near phobic reactions to suspected foreign invasions and insidious socialists and Germans. This scene involves what is a suspected assasination by means of an "infernal machine." I'll say no more.There's the book- if you value that kind of pleasure/pain breakup- I hope you get it. I sure did.

This is probably Nancy Mitford's funniest book. It's a light, witty romp with eccentric English upper-class characters doing silly things. And while it won't change your world in any way,reading it is a relaxing way to spend a cold, snowy afternoon. I also highly recommend Mitford's more serious novels, The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate.

With sly, often understated wit and a true ensemble cast, I don't know why I hadn't heard of this book before. It's less arch than Mapp and Lucia, and more worldly than Jeeves. The subtle references to everything from the art world to politics to animal husbandry will keep the reader entertained to the last. An excellent find.

This was my first Nancy Mitford book and I like her style very much. Brief and breezy, light and entertaining and yet also carrying some very thought-provoking passages. Mainly deals with relationships and the silliness of the landed gentry of England. I was laughing out loud in some public places while reading this. I think that in a subtle kind of way Bobbie is the real hero of the story. Read it and see if you agree! I will definitely read more of her books.