Life in a Cold Climate: Nancy Mitford: The Biography

Thompson paints a fully realized portrait of Nancy Mitford, one of the most intriguing women of the 20th Century. Thompson’s writing style befits the story of Mitford. She has a light, often irreverent touch, and brings charm and wit to her subject. Reading this biography is like drinks with a friend while she gives you the backstory on a mutual acquaintance you always wanted to know more about.

The author really liked Nancy and it showed. She did not whitewash the woman but also didn't focus on the negatives. Very enjoyable.

The author really liked Nancy and it showed. She did not whitewash the woman but also didn't focus on the negatives. Very enjoyable.

This biography of Nancy Mitford has a lot of unapologetic speculation--it's interesting, but very opinionated. Many sentences start with some variation of, "Perhaps this is why . . .", and then the author is off, confidently hypothesizing. Reading it has the feel of listening to a smart, lively friend who, though sometimes long winded, is often fascinating, but whose viewpoint you don't entirely trust.

The author really liked Nancy and it showed. She did not whitewash the woman but also didn't focus on the negatives. Very enjoyable.

I could not get through this biography. She relied too heavily on comparing Nancy Mitford to her book characters. I also got the impression she looked on Mitford as a guilty pleasure and needed to justify liking her at all.