Pigeon Pie [Paperback]

Nancy Mitford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999 | Series: Mitford, Nancy

British high society, spy stories, and goofy religious cults are all gently mocked in this inventive, stylish satire. When the highly imaginative Lady Sophia Garfield discovers a nest of very real German spies in her home, nobody believes her. With her maid murdered and her beloved bulldog held hostage, she sets out alone to gain proof and, with time out for tea at the Ritz, save Britain.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 2 edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786706333
• ISBN-13: 978-0786706334
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Confection, December 30, 1999

By 

frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pigeon Pie (Paperback)

I've read reviews comparing Mitford's work to that of Barbara Pym. It's an apt comparison, but where Pym's province is excellent women and their ilk, Mitford's characters live on the society stage. What Mitford shares with Pym is a sharp wit, a dry sense of humor, and an eye for social satire via the novel of manners.

Lady Sophia Garfield is cross because her arch-rival Baby Bagg has been posturing as a beautiful spy. Sophia is so busy being jealous of her enemy that she fails to notice the ring of spies operating out of her house. Refined British screwball ensues.

Read and enjoy.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars espionage, counter espionage and all in good taste, February 14, 2001

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pigeon Pie (Paperback)

Mitford wrote this book in the first few months of World War II. Its quite amusing in the Mitford-ish way. She has Lady Sophia who is happily married to Luke. Happily because they lead other lives with other people and never really have to see one another except as two people living in the same house. Sophia has Rudolph to keep her amused and Luke has Florence. Sophia is dreadfully good-natured but is not the brightest spark in the universe

Unfortunately war breaks out with Germany which rather throws everyone's lives into disarray - including Lady Sophia's as she starts to suspect that he house is actually housing a bustling nest of German Spies. Its a terrifically popular past-time amongst women of her class it seems, to be discovering nests of spies, or be engaged in mysterious espionage work, so she has great difficult being listened to.

I must say I liked this book, but I much preferred Mitford's other books Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate etc. This was fun and amusing, but it didn't, for me anyway, have the same wondrous characters of that series (Uncle Davie, Uncle Matthew - or even the entrenching tool). Still it had lovely touches to it. Its definitely one I'll reread - but not often.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!!!, April 4, 2007

By 

A reader (Litchfield Co., CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pigeon Pie (Paperback)

I've been re-reading all the Nancy Mitford books that I can find. Loved this one for the witty remarks she has made about the English and preparations for war. I know that it wasn't as funny as she has made it, but that hasn't spoiled my enjoyment of reading it again.