The Penguin Complete Novels of Nancy Mitford: With a New Introduction by India Knight

More about the book

The Penguin Complete Novels of Nancy Mitford, with an introduction by India Knight, collects all eight of her witty and insightful novels in one volume for the first time in years. Spanning three decades, these works offer a vivid portrayal of the vibrant young socialites of the thirties through the sixties, exploring their lives both at home and abroad, and revealing the antics of the upper classes during peacetime and wartime. Celebrated for their originality and humor, Mitford's novels have garnered praise from notable figures, including Evelyn Waugh and the Daily Mail. Born in London in 1904, Mitford was the eldest of the second Baron Redesdale's six children. Her upbringing in a large country house with her siblings is reflected in her semi-autobiographical work, The Pursuit of Love (1945), which marked her breakthrough. Following this success, she wrote several more novels, including Love in a Cold Climate (1949) and Don't Tell Alfred (1960). Mitford also authored acclaimed biographies and translated classic works, contributing significantly to literature and cultural commentary. She was honored with a CBE in 1972, leaving a lasting legacy as a novelist and biographer.