Don't Tell Alfred: The wickedly funny sequel to The Pursuit of Love

Are we supposed to like any of the characters in this book? I read the first two books which were mildly entertaining, though very much of their time, but this one was truly awful. I realise it's supposed to be a bit silly, but all the characters are awful - vacuous, fatuous, and completely self-obsessed, yet the main character and her husband who are responsible for inflicting these people on the world seem to love them regardless, and have no influence over their behaviour. It made me dislike them too for being so weak.Ridiculous story lines top it off.After 50 pages I couldn't wait to finish. Read the first two but do not waste your time on this one.

If you enjoyed 'the Pursuit of Love' and 'Love in a Cold Climate' this is surely worth a read, as we meet many familiar characters this time in a Parisian setting. Alfred is the new Ambassador and Fanny a witty narrator as she contends with her new role mixing with high society, chronicling political intrigues, dealing with recalcitrant teenagers and various eccentric goings on. Written in her inimitable light, comic style, this is Mitford entertainment which keeps the pages moving.

To have Fanny at the center, rather than as the narrator, was fantastic! Poor Fanny, dealing with scandal after scandal, and the misadventures of her children - yet it was very entertaining for me!One note, This book should be read after Pursuit of Love, Love In A Cold Climate, and The Blessing, because Mitford expects you to know a lot of characters and their/their family's histories. I can imagine that there would be confusion if the reader hadn't read the previous books first.

I hardly think that Nancy Mitford needs anyone to review her work , it never lets you down , her books are witty , delightfully written with a light hearted gaiety that is infectious , they lift a bad mood better than any other read , to read her books is to wish to make her a close friend , highly recommended read June Wilson

hugely enjoyable as something to pass the time on holiday. Pretty good insight to to the lives and neuroses of the privileged classes at the start of the century. (the 20th century that is). I wonder if anything much has really changed.... Anyone working for the foreign office or diplomatic service might find the contents of this book disconcerting...