I have been wanting to see the BBC's Love in a Cold Climate for as long as I've known it existed. Infuriatingly it has been available in America for some time but I have never managed to unlock my dvd player to region 1. Then when doing a big online Christmas order this little gem popped up in my recommendations in glorious region 2 format! I was so excited I ordered it then and there, with the intention of saving it to watch at Christmas.
I have of course failed completely in this. I cracked open the box about two hours after it arrived. I love Nancy Mitford's books and go to The Pursuit of Love (my particular favourite) and Love in a Cold Climate for comfort reading. This two part production is actually an amalgam of the two books.
For the most part the characters can seem frothy, light and hilariously snobby but they can actually be very touching and over time they mostly develop into people you really care about. I always find Linda Radlett's journey and the great love affair of her life, which it takes her time to find, very romantic. I also adore that she wears Apres L'Ondee (a fact that is happily noted in this production).
I searched online for the quote from the book about the scent and actually found this article which discusses Linda but is also a great piece in itself.
16 comments:
The Pursuit of Love is one of my Top 5 books, it never fails to amuse and comfort though so sad at the end. Linda is a delight but I adore her father, Uncle Matthew, with his teeth grinding and very un pc view of certain nationalities. Oh and the child hunt! And Davy and Cecil. Thank you for flagging up that this is now available. donanicola
Hi Donanicola, a fellow fan! It's like the book equivalent of a blanket. I know, I find myself always affected by the end.
Alan Bates plays Uncle Matthew and is perfect, just as I imagined him. In fact the casting is pretty spot on. I wasn't sure about Linda to start with but I think that's true of the character too and it's great to see her bloom. Rosamund Pike is a great Fanny.
It's a lovely version but I wish they could have given us more episodes.
I can't wait to get my copy now! I remember where the convo about Apres takes place - in the awful refugee camp Linda travels to to be near Christian and it's one of his friends who is finding her something to do and he comments on her lovely scent. (and of course it had to be scent - do you also remember Uncle Matthew railing near the beginning of the book about how poor Fanny has a shocking education and is liable to call scent - perfume!) Sorry - you can tell - a total fan!
Yes you're right!
The snobbery is so glorious isn't it- as well as scent/ perfume isn't there looking glass/ mirror and something to do with writing paper vs notepaper and one being horribly vulgar. I can't remember which is the 'proper' one, my education is obviously shocking too!!
Rose - i have just ordered the DVD, can't wait. xv
Hi Vicki, brilliant, I really hope you like it! Let me know.
PS I am in no way affiliated with the Mitford estate! (although it would be rather fabulous)
I have always heard good things about this book, but never got around to reading it. Now that a BBC production is out (thanks!), I'm all for watching it and perhaps then getting the book too to compare. Love the scent reference too :-)
Hi E,
Oh I hope you really like the books and/ or dvd. Let me know if you try them.
Books wise the Pursuit of Love comes first and I adored it. For the dvd the beeb mixed the Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate together and they do it very well actually.
I am so renting this when I am done moving; we have it at the library. It is so strange that it was only now released on to DVD in Britain.
Excellent, I hope you like it.
Tell me about it! The BBC can be quite strange like that at times!
at last I find someone else loving Nancy Mitford.
Hi Laura, I have found quite a few secret fans but I am also always keen to convert more people. Isn't she fabuous! Glad to find someone else who likes her writing.
thank you. If you find something more about, please write on blog.
as you don't have an email address, I'm asking here my question . What is so upsetting for Linda to see a match ? I think it is something only an Englishwoman can tell. So ? Thank you
Hi Laura, no I need to sort that out! I think it's because the match is a lonely match out of it's house/ box and away from the rest of the matches. I think it's just meant to show how soft and easy to upset she is!
thank you !
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