From Potter to Presley

      Simon's recent post on this book had me reaching for my copy for a re-read, and it's every bit as good and as funny as I found it first time round. Counting My Chickens: And Other Home Thoughts by Deborah Devonshire, with an introduction by one of her greatest fans - Tom Stoppard, no less - is a collection of writings on a variety of subjects from fashion :"I buy most of my clothes at agricultural shows", to Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Ginger and Pickles" : "...the best book on retailing ever written" to inequalities among siblings: "My sister Unity had far more [pocket money] than ever her age warranted, because my mother said she liked money more than the rest of us."

     In a piece on things to be done away with and things to be brought back, Cupressus Leylandii, hotel coat hangers and female weather forecasters are put in the former category, while the latter includes " Invalid Bovril, brogues, mourning, silence, housewives, spring cleaning, nurses in uniform, the 1662 prayer book, pinafores for little boys, fish shops, Bud Flanagan, Ethel Merman and Elvis Presley".

    This is a book which can't easily be pigeon-holed; there are serious articles on the countryside and its proper management, affectionate tributes to staff and friends, references to the running of a great estate and anecdotes from Debo's unusual childhood. Suffice to say the writer's voice is inimitable, the humour unselfconscious and the effect on the reader one of unrestrained hilarity!

Comments

[Fay Sheco]

In other books by and about the Mitford sisters, Deborah always comes across as the most serene of the lot. I'm still working my way through Decca's letters--most enjoyable reading. I remember that you liked them too, Cornflower.

[rosie]

I went out and bought "The Tale of Ginger and Pickles" on her recommendation. I have a very soft spot for her talents in retailing; one of the best purchases I've ever made was a fabulous set of bookplates (a peacock design by Errol le Cain) in the gift shop at Chatsworth. That was in 1976, and I still think they're the loveliest bookplates it has ever been my pleasure to own!

[Charity]

I'd never heard of this book before, but I've gone ahead and reserved it at my local library. :0) I really love all your book suggestions and reviews, you open my eyes all the time to new things!

[Margaret Powling]

I once remember Her Grace saying that you must never put your handbag down in Chatsworth as you'd never find it again! Also, because it has so many rooms, that once she went into a small room somewhere, at the back of beyond where she'd never ventured before, and what looked to be a tramp or some such person was living there. So she apologised and quickly exited the room! I might have this story just a little wrong, but this was the gist anyway! This is book is defintely for my Wish list!

[Simon T]

What a great post about this lovely book, Karen - you really capture the heart of it.

[Tui M.]

I read "The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters" this past winter and loved it. They were so very witty and interesting - I will never be able to think of the Queen Mother as anything other than "Cake" again (their name for her). This looks like a delicious read too.