'Britons awake! Arise! oh, British lion!' cried Eugenia Malmains in thrilling tones. She stood on an overturned wash-tub on Chalford village green and harangued about a dozen aged yokels. Her straight hair, cut in a fringe, large, pale-blue eyes, dark skin, well proportioned limbs and classical features, combined with a certain fanaticism of gesture to give her the aspect of a modern Joan of Arc.
She was dressed in an ill-fitting grey woollen skirt, no stockings, a pair of threadbare plimsolls, and a jumper made apparently out of a Union Jack. Round her waist was a leather belt to which there was attached a large bright dagger.
from page 7 'Wigs on the Green' by Nancy Mitford
My reaction to 'Wigs on the Green' surprised me. It was one of shock that Nancy Mitford could be so spiteful (although I am aware that she did have this tendency). To me, it appears a childish mode of behaviour towards a sister, in particular; the behaviour of a schoolgirl rather than of an adult. In my mind it became personal, therefore subjective, in that I could never portray my own sisters in my writing, in the manner that Nancy Mitford does; if indeed at all.
These are my personal thoughts, rather than a review of 'Wigs on the Green'.
5 comments:
I was just impressed by how well Nancy Mitford wrote.
Such precise and evocative details.
Yes, I heard that she could be quite sharp......
It's great that you have a dream. It's not always necessary to travel in space - sometimes, you can travel spiritually when you are unable to do otherwise.
It is a mistake. Your message went to another blog and this message went to yours. Sorry.
I just wanted to say that I am going to read this book :)
never have i written anything about my sister... that could be a good challenge!
:)
Thank you, each, for your comments. It is a parody of the times and I can see that it was both controversial and wickedly funny, depending on one's views.
It is good to hear from you.
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