Life in a Cold Climate: Nancy Mitford, the Biography
Nancy Mitford (1904-1973) was the eldest of the aristocratic, but often scandalous, Mitford sisters. She was a successful novelist, journalist and biographer, but is perhaps best remembered for her ‘U and Non-U’ opinions on class differences. Despite her upbringing, she was a fiercely independent woman, who lived her happiest years in France, where she had ‘the freedom to be her best possible self.’ Fun-loving, yet sometimes spiteful, Nancy used her intimate knowledge of upper-class society as inspiration for her writing, revealing its foibles with biting wit.
Laura Thompson skilfully weaves a fascinating picture of this complicated woman, sifting material from Nancy’s correspondence, archive material and interviews with surviving members of the Mitford family and social circle. The Mitfords’ reputation for war-time involvement with the Fascists, and episodes such as Unity Mitford’s suicide attempt, are handled with sensitivity and objectivity. This is a thoroughly researched and engaging biography.
