Noblesse Oblige. . .
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A charming book written in elegant prose by a lady who was there, did that and has all the credentials to write expertly and entertainingly on this lost art and forgotten subject.
Fiona McCarthy brings to life the romance of the debutante age and in doing so adds to the rich tapestry of the history of a forgotten age.
The book will appeal to readers of Debrett's Etiquette for girls, correct form and that wonderful book by Nancy Mitford "Noblesse Oblige".
recommended - a good read from beginning to end.
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Last Curtsey
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I was a little doubtful when I first bought this book. I was greatly suprised, that when I started reading this book I could not put it down.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in social history.This truly is a book which describes an era of modern history that has long gone.
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Social History it Its Best
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I think readers might fear this book could be a little twee, or perhaps over-nostalgic. (After all, I seem to be the first person to review it!) But nothing could be futher from the truth. Fiona MacCarthy has written a splendid account of a specific period with lots of fascinating details about food (canned soup with a drop of Tio Pepe for a smart occasion...), clothing (naturally) and class, but she is particularly good on psychology. Not surprising really, as she writes about her own coming out year, 1958. Quite how the debs themselves fared (everything is possible, from becoming the Begum Aga Khan, to fighting in the IRA!), how styles, thought processes and people changed or adapted, is a fascinating story in its own right. Equally interesting to read where they were all coming from (historically speaking) and how post-war society still had a grip on finances, morals and ideals.
Context is everything, and this book puts a small topic (the debs and their coming out) into a fascinatÃng web of social historical detail. Wish all social history books were like this!
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