A Life of Contrasts

A Life of Contrasts is the autobiography of Diana Mitford (sister of novelist Nancy Mitford, Nazi-sympathiser Unity Mitford, journalist Jessica Mitford, and memoirist Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire) that was first published by in 1977. In 2002, she released a revised edition of the book.

A Life of Contrasts
AuthorDiana Mitford
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreAutobiography
Publisher(UK) Hamish Hamilton, (US) Times Books
Publication date
1977 and 2002
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages296
ISBN1-903933-20-X
OCLC59464623
Followed by'The Duchess of Windsor 

Synopsis

In the autobiography, Mitford recounts her colourful past, including her marriage to Sir Oswald Mosley, founder of the British Union of Fascists, her association with Nazi figures and her subsequent three-year internment under Defence Regulation 18B.[1][2] She also recounts her friendships with leading literary figures Evelyn Waugh, Harold Acton, John Betjeman and Lytton Strachey.[3]

2002 edition

In the revised 2002 edition, Mitford describes several events which occurred following the original 1977 publication, such as the grief she experienced after her husband's death, her brain tumour as well as her reaction to international events and public figures. She also writes about her "secret" missions to Germany before war broke out, when she helped set up a radio station to raise funds for the BUF.[3][4]

Critical reception

The book was generally well received by critics, who were impressed by Mitford's writing talents, although some were not satisfied that she gave a convincing explanation of her controversial political views.[5] This view has been mirrored by Mosley's biographer Jan Dalley and The New York Times critic, Janet Maslin.[6]

Laura Thompson appeared on BBC Radio 4's A Good Read to discuss the book and retold her experience in a column published by The Independent. According to Thompson it was "intensely fascinating to read the life of such a woman, especially when it was so well written." In contrast, the host of the show, Rosie Boycott said that "however charming it might be, it was also a repellent book."[1][7]

Contents

The book also includes a selection of black and white photographs.

(original edition)

  • 1. Grandfathers and Grandmother (1)
  • 2. "...She Can't Live Long" (6)
  • 3. Batsford (12)
  • 4. Asthall (22)
  • 5. Paris (44)
  • 6. Swinbrook (55)
  • 7. Bailiffscourt (61)
  • 8. Buckingham Street (70)
  • 9. Cheyne Walk (86)
  • 10. Mosley (94)
  • 11. Munich and Rome (106)
  • 12. Hitler (116)
  • 13. Accident (129)
  • 14. Wooton (136)
  • 15. Berlin (147)
  • 16. War (157)
  • 17. Prison (169)
  • 18. Crux Easton (199)
  • 19. Crowood (210)
  • 20. ALIANORA (218)
  • 21. Le Temple De La Gloire (230)
  • 22. Clonfert (235)
  • 23. Venice and Paris (244)
  • 24. Inch Kenneth and London (254)
  • 25. The Windsors (264)
  • 26. The Antagonists (268)
  • 27. A Vale of Tears (273)
  • 28. Laughter and the Love of Friends (282)

Index (289)

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References
  1. "The two faces of Diana Mosley the indestructible". The Independent. London. 17 August 2003. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009.
  2. "Diana Mitford". Spartacus. Archived from the original on 2008-10-05.
  3. Campbell, Katie (22 April 2002). "A Life of Contrasts". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.
  4. Wade, Mike (25 April 2002). "The other lady diana". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011.
  5. "Obituary: The Hon Lady Mosley". The Times. London. 13 August 2003. Archived from the original on 7 May 2009. (subscription required)
  6. Maslin, Janet (25 May 2000). "Books of the Times; Adoring Fascism, Despite 'Tricky Bits'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010.
  7. A Good Read BBC. Retrieved on 17 December 2018
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