SISTER ACT
Author JESSICA FELLOWES explains her obsession
with the six socialites who inspired her new novel
S
ix aristocratic sisters, each of whom come of
age between the wars and grows up to become:
a novelist; a dairy farmer; a fascist; a Nazi; a
Communist; a duchess. Therein lies the root of
my fascination with the Mitford sisters: Nancy,
Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah. (There was
also a brother, Tom, understandably overshadowed by his
sisters and tragically killed in action
at the end of the second world war.)
What made the young girls in the
nursery of Asthall Manor grow up to
become these fascinating women?
We know a lot from their combined
prodigious literary output. Not just
the novels of Nancy, or the memoirs
of Diana and Jessica, or even the
chicken-raising tips of Deborah but
their letters. The six sisters wrote to
each other frequently over their long
lifetimes, even throughout
fractious disagreements and
political standoffs. There are
also several other published
volumes of their letters to
other great personalities and
writers of their era. They
wrote, I think, somewhat selfconsciously, always aware of
their celebrity their mother
once said, Whenever I see in a headline peers daughter, I
know its going to be about one of you children yet they are
deliciously unguarded, gossipy, spiky and witty. There are
several exhortations, obviously ignored, to burn this.
Their fascination is nonetheless a conundrum. Deborah,
the Duchess of Devonshire, was probably the nicest of
the lot, and Pamela the most stalwart, but they were on
the whole a fairly unsympathetic bunch. Nancy was the
unhappiest, largely repressed in her letters, instead using
her bitterness to produce the most dangerous rapier wit
against those she disliked. Yet Id give anything to drink
martinis with the woman who said: I am sometimes
bored by people but never with life.
There was sibling rivalry aplenty, a constant thrum
of bickering, and there are frequent discrepancies as
to what happened in their childhood and what their
parents were really like, which is reassuring to anyone
with tricky family dynamics
Jessica Fellowes
of their own (er, everyone?).
Which makes it all the more
remarkable that Jessica,
the committed Communist
(she and her first husband
ran away to Spain to fight
Franco), would secretly meet
with Unity, who had gone to
Munich in order to befriend
Hitler (and succeeded). They
understood that although
ones political beliefs are of
course fundamental to ones
values, we are all made up
of complex layers and it is
possible to disagree with the
people one loves; a nuance
of discourse that we are in
danger of losing today.
With their unlikeable
politics and an arrogance of their class that propelled
them through life, we shouldnt like them but we do.
They were absolutely themselves, caring little what
others said, and loyal to each other and their causes,
even in conflict. They represent so much of that intense
period of the 1930s that is in parallel with today
understanding them may help us get to grips with our
own troubled 21st century.
The Mitford Trial by Jessica Fellowes is published by
Sphere on November 5, £13.99. Inspired by a real life
murder in 1933, at its heart are the six Mitford sisters.
There is sibling
RIVALRY aplenty,
a constant thrum
of bickering ...
Why Dont You ... Make Your Own Book Seal?
Ive always been fascinated by peoples personal book collections
and, of course, many people shared theirs on social media during
lockdown, says fashion designer Lou Brennan. I love the decorative
labels and seals that are found on the endpapers of many books.
Historically, many booklovers commissioned artists to create now
highly collectable bespoke designs, often starting with the Latin,
ex libris, or From the library of ... followed by the owners name.
Brennan suggests one way to keep busy over the long winter is to
create a personal library with your own book seal. It can be simple
with just your name or you can incorporate a design. The Dublin
company, Royal Rubber Stamps, can help with this.
An embossed seal also adds a stylish finishing touch to letter
writing. Brennan designed an embroideress seal for herself (she
translates Irelands rich textile history into her silk and paisley scarf
designs, and teaches needlepoint on Instagram). Her idea of a book
seal would make a lovely Christmas gift. Royal Rubber Stamps offers
a quick turnaround so theres plenty of time to order.
www.royalrubberstamps.com.
Bespoke
book seal by
Royal Rubber
Stamps.
HAL SHINNIE
BOOKS
ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE
Anne Glenconner, 87, a Maid of Honour at the
Queens Coronation, married Colin Tennant, Lord
Glenconner in 1956. In 1958 she and her husband
began to transform the island of Mustique into
a paradise for the rich and famous, including
Princess Margaret, about whom she wrote in her
memoir Lady in Waiting, My Extraordinary Life in
the Shadow of the Crown.
The island of Mustique is the setting for
her debut novel, which begins with the
disappearance of American heiress Amanda
Fontini after a morning swim. When her body is
discovered, a murder investigation begins. Heres
what shes reading:
The Windsor Diaries, by Alathea
Fitzalan Howard, who lived
alongside the young Princesses
Elizabeth and Margaret at
Windsor Castle during the
Second World War, was
published last month. I found
it fascinating and incredibly
moving in parts. I knew Alathea a little and so
many of her experiences in life were similar to
my own we both lived through the war, and
of course we both knew the
Queen and Princess Margaret
when they were young.
As well as being laugh-outloud funny in parts, I found the
diary entries very poignant, as
she clearly had spells of real
unhappiness in her life. She
was incredibly observant and had a great eye for
detail. The book gives a real insight into life in the
Royal Household during the war, all told with a
dash of teenage angst and humour.
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley. Im a
huge Jane Austen fan and have always loved her
novels, especially Emma and Pride and Prejudice.
I enjoy re-reading them as well
as watching any new television
or film adaptations. It was only
after reading Lucy Worsleys
biography that I realised how
little I really knew about Austen
herself. Jane is vividly brought
to life and the book is very, very
well written. I loved it.
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier.
My new book is a murder mystery and Ive always
loved reading novels that are full of suspense.
I recently re-read My Cousin Rachel. Its so
atmospheric and intriguing
I love the Cornish setting and
youre never quite sure whether
Rachel can be trusted.
Murder on Mustique by Anne
Glenconner will be published
on November 12 by Hodder &
Stoughton, £16.99.
THE GLOSS MAGAZINE November 2020 55
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FASHION THIS PAGE Gabby wears: Multi-print Rio Verde silk twill swing dress, LA DOUBLE J. Khaki Eva Arizona Essentials sandals, BIRKENSTOCK. Pink cashmere socks, MONAGHANS CASHMERE. David wears: Navy floral shirt, THE KOOPLES. Grey ribbed cotton crew-neck T-shirt, RALPH LAUREN. Navy side-stripe jog
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THE OLD NORMAL Ahhh, pizza. LOCKDOWN 2020: EVENING 248 Gabby wears: Multi-coloured ribbed knit skirt, ISSEY MIYAKE. Black and white stripe knit sweater, ANTHONY THOMAS MELILLO. David wears: Blue check brushedcotton robe, GUCCI. Navy check cotton pyjamas, SUPERDRY. Red cotton-mix socks, FALKE. Make
RELATIONSHIPS OLIVIA GRAHAM T All Cooped Lockdown and working from home can put stress on relationships, but the new normal could provide opportunities for positive changes, according to TIM DOWLING 28 November 2020 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE UP he coronavirus crisis has presented couples with an un
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SOCIAL LIFE S ome time ago, during the extreme bit of lockdown, I went online and made quite a frivolous purchase. I bought myself a thing called a Weighted Blanket. I wasnt sure afterwards if I had done the right thing. Maybe I was the unwitting victim of a clever internet marketing campaign? Or
ESSAY THE REMEMBERING ROPE POLLY DEVLINs remembrance of people and times past is triggered by her collection of treasured antiques and the backstories of their acquisition 38 November 2020 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE For new readers and seasoned ones ... This is the fifth episode in the loose concoctio
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BOOKS THREE INSPIRING NEW TITLES A Little Happier, Notes for Reassurance, Derren Brown, Bantam Press, £8.99. No Time Like The Future, An Optimist Considers Mortality, Michael J Fox, £16, published by Headline on November 17. Be More Snoopy, Find Your Happy Dance, Nat Gertler, Dorling Kindersley, £6
SISTER ACT Author JESSICA FELLOWES explains her obsession with the six socialites who inspired her new novel S ix aristocratic sisters, each of whom come of age between the wars and grows up to become: a novelist; a dairy farmer; a fascist; a Nazi; a Communist; a duchess. Therein lies the root of
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