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Literary Seminar with Kimberly Ford: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

  • Kepler's 1010 El Camino Real #100 Menlo Park, CA United States (map)

Each seminar combines the deep pleasure of reading an exceptional novel with the depth of a college-level lecture. We are delighted to announce that this Series will take place in person at Kepler’s for the first time in three years. Please join us! For our out-of-town attendees, we will still have an option to attend virtually.

The Pursuit of Love, Nancy Mitford

Nancy Mitford is another writer whom Kimberly cannot understand how she lived without! Mitford—think eccentric English aristocracy in the early 1900s—is one of the most clever, funniest, smartest writers Kimberly has read. Pursuit (1945) is deeply autobiographical, offering a raucous peek into the lives of the Mitford family, whose (in)famous six daughters and one son numbered an ardent fascist, a rabid communist, a bucolic homemaker, a duchess and a friend to the Third Reich—all of whom Mitford paints as both complex and incredibly charming. Set in the first half of the last century, the book brims with historical references and figures that Mitford illuminates see in prose that feels incredibly fresh. The book is SO good that Kimberly was elated to find that it’s the first in a trilogy. She hoovered up the other two, as well as the novels of Nancy’s sister Jessica, AND two biographies of this family unlike any other.

The big bonus? An amazingly well done BBC television adaptation staring Lily Allen and Andrew Scott (the “hot priest” from Fleabag), lets you revel a little longer in this engaging, gorgeous world.

There are several ticket options that include all Seminars and books, book with purchase (either shipped to home or picked up at Kepler’s Books), or Seminar only. The book should be read prior to the meeting date.

Earlier Event: May 20
Book signing: Dave Eggers
Later Event: June 1
Abraham Verghese