In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor
by Patrick Leigh Fermor
|
List Price: ££25.00
Our Price: ££14.20
Your Save: £ 0.00 ( % )
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Manufacturer: John Murray
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9780719568589
ISBN: 0719568587
Label: John Murray
Number Of Pages: 416
Publication Date: 2008-09-04
Publisher: John Murray
Studio: John Murray
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Pure Poetry
Comment: I had already read `The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh' which had also been edited by Charlotte Mosley, who had made such a superb job of it that I requested `In Tearing Haste', secure in the knowledge that I wouldn't be disappointed - and of course, I wasn't.
The letters by `Debo', Duchess of Devonshire bear all of the Mitford touches - the strangulated vowels, as in `Lorst' and `Gorn' - and the hilarious peremptory commands - `Do admit'! For one who states she never reads a book (and this, I believe, is nothing more than a blatant lie!) and who was unkindly referred to by sister Nancy as `Nine' since this, averred Nancy was Debo's mental age, Her Grace has done herself proud - changing around the fortunes of Chatsworth, the family seat, and writing a fascinating series of books.
Her style is the perfect foil to Paddy Leigh Fermor, war-time secret agent, adventurer, writer and traveller and this selection of letters, written during a period of over fifty years is a terrific criss-cross of ideas and news. Every letter written by Leigh Fermor reads as though he's written it for a book - and a best-selling one at that. The book reflects a time when Britain was regarded, quite properly as `Great' and it is a funny and nostalgic read.
I have no idea what Charlotte Mosley intends to edit next but whatever it is, I shall be queuing up to buy it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: name dropping
Comment: This book received ravishing reviews in The Telegraph, so much so that I was tempted to buy it. What a mistake. It is nothing but cloying endearments and decades of name dropping! Now I don't know what to do with it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Charlotte Mosley has hit Mitford pay dirt again!
Comment: I gave a golden glowing review of "Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters," and, using gold-mining metaphors, Charlotte Mosley (married to a 'Mitford' nephew) has tapped the precious Mitford treasure pit again with "In Tearing Haste," a compilation of splendid letters exchanged over many years by her aunt-by-marriage, Deborah (Duchess of) Devonshire (née Mitford), and her fine and faithful friend, the writer and World War II hero, Patrick (Paddy) Leigh Fermor. (The relationship is supposed to have been platonic, but I really don't give a damn if it has been more, as it was and is most clearly a closely intimate and loving one).
I don't know how many people write 'proper' letters these days, and I have no idea how many such people also retain their correspondence, but it is evident that Mrs Mosley has hit pay dirt in a big way with her editing of 'Mitford' family letters, and she does it with panache and knowledgeable and loving skill, for her selections are superb and her notes are almost as entertaining and informative as the letters themselves. The latest work is well up with the earlier.
But no editor can hit pay dirt without the auriferous ore being present, and the letters themselves are pure gold. Those from 'Darling Paddy' are longer, more descriptive and better written, coming as they did from an extraordinarily good writer in his own right, but those from 'Darling Debo' are both lovely and loving - and amazing, too, coming as they did from a lady who claims never to have read a book (I don't believe a word of it!).
The two writers struck chords (I'm changing metaphors now) with each other for fifty-plus years and I doubt that we shall see, hear or be permitted to read the like again. I loved the book and commend it to readers who enjoy having an arm's-length or proxy relationship with such unusual and interesting people who lived (and are still living, thank goodness) through such interesting times in such splendid style.
Buy several copies of this book for Christmas presents, read one yourself, and then share the hundreds of historical and literary nuggets as widely as you can!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Such warmth of characters and such humour - Must read 2008!!
Comment: If you have read and loved Charlotte Mosley's wonderful Mitford Letters this will definitely not disappoint!!
Their writing styles, and indeed life styles are markedly different - Paddy's erudite, descriptive, precise and exuberant letters serve to remind us why he is often considered the greatest travel writer of our time. His wonderful descriptions of his adventures bring to life so many different places - from Devon to the Andes to Eastern Europe and back to Derbyshire. He tells stories about upsetting Somerset Maugham with his stammering jokes; about his feat of swimming across the Hellespont aged 69; about rounding up wild horses in Chagford; and about his time building his home Kardamyli with his wife Joan.
DD writes a shrewd description of life as a Duchess restoring Chatsworth. She never fails to raise a smile with her insightful and honest accounts of a whirlwind of social engagements with such a wide variety of well-known twentieth century figures. From Evelyn Waugh, whom on one occasion sends the famously self-professed illiterate DD a proof of his new book, The Life of Robert Knox with the inscription "You won't find a word in this to offend your Protestant sympathies" - the pages were in fact completely blank. She describes he friendship with "The Loved One" (John F Kennedy) and dinners with the characterful Bohemian Iris Tree. Intimate encounters with the Royal Family - including one such "cotton dress" chance meeting with The Queen Mother - who Debo famously refers to as 'Cake' - at the Tate Gallery. Interspersed with these engagements she writes to Paddy with stories of her family - Andrew and her three children and certainly her Sisters and of course, she details her incredible renovation of the beautiful Chatsworth House. Despite leading such an incredible life, she always remains so down to earth - on one occasion Mario Testino arrives at Chatsworth to do a photo shoot for Vogue's 90th birthday. DD is photographed with her granddaughter Stella Tennant, she describes the shoot:
" [Stella's] Hair skewbald/piebald, all colours & stuck up in bits. THEN they produced "shoes" with 6 inch heels. More stilts - she could hardly put one foot in front of the other, wobbling & toppling.
We looked just like that Grandville drawing of a giraffe dancing with a little monkey. I was the monkey."
The truly charming thing, however, about this excellently edited collection, is the genuine love and friendship that is so abundant in these letters. Mosley describes DD and PLF as sharing "youthful high spirits, warmth and generosity". This comes across in the letters so wonderfully. This book is a lovely account of two such different characters who share a marvellous appetite for life and an even greater friendship.
|
|
|
- Ask about this education product "In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor" in the forum
- Give review on this education product "In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor" in the forum
- Search related information in the forum
|
|
|
|
|
| OOEN Referral Program Spotlight |
 | | Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University
The Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University is one of the nation’s leading centers to study digital arts. Students choose the center for its hands on approach, state-of-the-art facilities, and individualized teaching methods. Career-track programs are offered in 3D Animation, Photography, Filmmaking, and Graphics & Web Design. Extensive career services are available as well as financial aid for students who qualify. | |  | |
 | | Central Pennsylvania College
Earn a degree at Central Pennsylvania College and achieve your career goals. Choose from bachelor and associate degree programs in criminal justice, business administration (including healthcare administration and management), corporate communications and information technology (including cyber security). Programs allow you to focus on your specific area of interest and combine hands-on learning with high quality academics for career preparation. Professors have real-world professional experience in the subjects they teach. Our high job placement percentage speaks to the marketability of our students upon graduation. Benefit from personalized learning to build the skills you need for employment and success. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. | | | |
 | | Chicago School of Massage Therapy
Chicago School of Massage Therapy offers the programs you need to start a rewarding career in massage. Extensive job placement and career counseling services are made available to all graduates. Financial aid is available for all students who qualify. A course sampling includes Seated Massage, Contemporary Western Massage, Introduction to Acupressure, Therapeutic Movement, Stretching and Exercise, Thermal Therapies, and Basic Sports Massage. Unique outreach program enables students to develop their massage skills during 50 hours of volunteer work with special groups, and at sports and special events such as health fairs. | | | |
|
What is OOEN Referral Program Spotlight?
OOEN provides comprehensive listing of online courses, degree programs, colleges and universities.
Also OOEN provides links to their information request pages; if you want to find out more about any course,
degree program, college or university, you can just fill out the form linked from OOEN and request information.
It is completely free for anyone to request information, and you can request information from as many colleges
and universities as you'd like. We list featured schools and their brief information
in this "OOEN Referral Program Spotlight" section of OOEN Store for Education,
in case that you are interested in taking a class or two or even pursuing degree program
through these featured schools.
|
|
|
