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Pigeon Pie (1940)

by Nancy Mitford

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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273596,459 (3.37)40
British high society, spy stories and goofy religious cults are all gently mocked in this inventive, stylish satire. Lady Sophia Garfield works at a first-aid post during the so-called 'phoney war' while cherishing an ambition to become a glamorous female spy. Fate ordains that she shall have her chance.When the highly imaginative Sophia discovers a nest of very real German spies in her home, nobody believes her. With her maid murdered and her beloved bulldog held hostage, she sets out alone to gain proof and, with time out for tea at the Ritz, save Britain.… (more)
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Showing 5 of 5
It's strange that this was written in the months after Nancy's sister, Unity, shot her herself in the head, and wrecked her life in Munich, in despair at Germany and Great Britain going to war.
This bright and crazy story, read at a remove now of seventy-five years, reveals how prevalent pro-Nazi sentiment or, at least, appeasement, was among many of the British establishment before the bombing started.
The story is populated with upper-class oddities; the multi-wigged King of Song, cross-dressing Rudolph, Ned and Fred the inept parliamentarians and Lady Sophia herself, once a Bright Young Thing, now the bright young wife of an all-purpose bore.
It can be read well within the limits of a rainy Sunday afternoon. ( )
  ivanfranko | May 22, 2016 |
This may be the most facetious book I have ever read. Written early in WWII, when England was not actively engaged in fighting and rumors of German spies abounded, the book recounts the adventures of Lady Sophia Garfield, who wakes up one day to the realization that there are German spies in her home. The ensuing goofiness, involving her cross-dressing lover, her opera singer godfather, a French bulldog and a hospital museum, is spritely and fun. Not great literature, but full of charm. ( )
  Bjace | Dec 20, 2014 |
Read during Fall 2001

I'll confess to missing some of the more subtle satrirical detail but loved all the bits I did get. Lady Sophia at the outbreak of WWII volunteers in a First Aid post and goes on her merry social life, blissfully unaware of various nefarious ongoings in her own house. All good, all funny.
  amyem58 | Jul 11, 2014 |
This is a satire written by Nancy Mitford during the first uneventful months of World War II. It uses the backdrop of the phoney war to mock the expectations and motivations of members of the English upper class, and particularly the pro-Hitler and pro-Left tendencies that some of them harboured. This makes the early chapters of the book fascinating, because her sisters Diana and Unity were pro-Germany, and she must have had a box seat in observing their fervour and their reasoning. Continued ( )
  apenguinaweek | May 12, 2011 |
I zipped through this book which I first read years and years ago. A satire about the upper class, spies, and the first months or so of the second world war (when nothing much was yet happening in Britain/to British troops), it isn't up to Nancy Mitford's best, but was still a witty, fun read.
1 vote rebeccanyc | Apr 20, 2010 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Nancy Mitfordprimary authorall editionscalculated
Stevenson, JulietNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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TO PHYLLIS BLAKE, MARGARET CANDLER, AND, OF COURSE, TO THE WONDERFUL OLD SONGSTER OF KEW GREEN HIMSELF I DEDICATE THIS BOOK
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Sophia Garfield had a clear mental picture of what the outbreak of war was going to be like.
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British high society, spy stories and goofy religious cults are all gently mocked in this inventive, stylish satire. Lady Sophia Garfield works at a first-aid post during the so-called 'phoney war' while cherishing an ambition to become a glamorous female spy. Fate ordains that she shall have her chance.When the highly imaginative Sophia discovers a nest of very real German spies in her home, nobody believes her. With her maid murdered and her beloved bulldog held hostage, she sets out alone to gain proof and, with time out for tea at the Ritz, save Britain.

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At the outbreak of World War II, Lady Sophia Garfield dreamt of becoming a beautiful spy - but she never imagined having to cope with a nest of German agents in her own home. Or that they would murder her maid, and hold her beloved bulldog hostage. Of course one couldn't spend one's entire war unmasking enemies - especially with the blood of kings flowing in one's veins, so Sophia still has time for tea at the Ritz with dotty aristocratic friends, and for fighting her arch-rival Princess Olga Gogothsky (nee Baby Bagg) for the affections of the dashing Rudolph Jocelyn.
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