‘Whenever I read the words “Peer’s Daughter” in a headline,’ Lady Redesdale once sadly remarked, ‘I know it’s going to be something about one of you children.’ The Mitford family is one of the century’s most enigmatic, made notorious by Nancy’s novels, Diana’s marriage to Sir Oswald Mosley, Unity’s infatuation with Hitler, Debo’s marriage to a duke and Jessica’s passionate commitment to communism. Her book is full of the music of time’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘More than an extremely amusing autobiography … she has evoked a whole generation. ‘Wonderfully funny and very poignant’ Philip Toynbee 'Jessica tells her tale with girlish gush, brilliantly preserved a generation after the events.‘This book is just about my favourite book of all time … I’m not entirely convinced I could like somebody who didn’t like this book … it’s funny and moving and gives you an insight into this extraordinary moment as the war is about to begin … it’s so vivid, and what’s more, it’s incredibly current’ Robert Rinder, BBC Radio 4 She tells the whole story of her rebellion with engaging frankness and a spirited, often humorous, enthusiasm.' (Richard McLaughlin, Springfield Republican) 'Jessica Mitford (the fifth of the Mitford daughters) has brought a whole generation back to life in her autobiography. Although there's a strong undercurrent of seriousness throughout the book, it's submerged under downright hilariousness, crackling brash humor and enchanting turns-of-the-phrase.' ( San Francisco Chronicle) 'The admitted 'rich vein of lunacy' in the Mitford family apparently has done nothing to dim the brilliance of its members among whom Jessica must be included. It is a fascinating book.' ( New York Herald Tribune)

There is a feeling of immediacy, as if it were all being written on the spot, at the time, by the teen-ager it was happening to. ' has a most unusual talent for recapturing the past. 'The story of Jessica Mitford's struggles makes tumultous and rewarding reading, and I recommend it heartily.' (Elizabeth Janeway, The New York Times) Reads like extravagantly mannered fiction, except that it is all fabulously true Miss Mitford is at once touching and wildly funny, and there is not one of her highly coloured characters that is not violently alive and uncomfortably kicking.' ( Tatler) Her book is full of the music of time.' ( Sunday Times)

'More than an extremely amusing autobiography she has evoked a whole generation.

Hons and rebels by jessica mitford