I read Highland Fling to fill a hole in my Century of Books project but found it also qualifies for Novellas in November!
The novel begins with Albert Gates, who almost on a whim, moves to Paris to become a painter. There, he at least seems serious about it and actually arranges a showing at a gallery in London before returning home to arrange his show.
Now the point of view shifts to that of Jane Dacre. She has been spending time with her married friends, Walter and Sally Monteath, who are having difficulty living on their incomes, Walter, a poet, apparently being unable to hold a job. The Monteaths are asked to travel to Scotland to host a house party at Dulloch Castle, Lord and Lady Craigdulloch having been called out of the country. They are not excited about it but agree thinking it will be a good way to save money. They invite Jane and Albert.
The rest is a no-holds-barred satire of country house parties, sporting people, Scottish customs, and surprisingly, the young people themselves. In Scotland, Albert comes off as an intellectual snob, his remarks rude and his likings absurd, his outfits unsuitable and ridiculous. (He reminded me of an obnoxious artist character in Angela Thirkell’s series, but try as I might, I cannot figure out which book he appears in. If anyone knows who I’m talking about, please tell me.)
Nevertheless, Jane falls in love with him and everything he says is wonderful. This plot point may be explained because Mitford herself fell in love with a young man on a similar Scottish visit, and they eventually split, possibly because he was gay.
This novel seemed a lot less polished than Mitford’s later ones, but it is her first. The caricatures are very broad, and the supposedly bright banter seemed puerile. However, there are some funny moments here, the description of Albert’s art being one of them.
What? Me Read? 
Are you possibly thinking of Julian Rivers? He appears first in Pomfret Towers, mistreating the shy and gentle Alice Barton. I recently reread Pomfret Towers so he is fresh in my mind, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there are other obnoxious artists throughout the series.
I think that’s who it is! Thanks!
Oh no, not for me! I can already feel my hackles rising just imagining how she would caricature the Scottish characters!
It’s actually mostly the English people in the house party that she caricatures. They make snide remarks about the Highland games, though.
I was not aware Mitford wrote novellas, so I will be eager to investigate further.
I love Mitford’s novels but fairly sure I haven’t yet read this one. I think my favourite is Wigs on the Green.
I haven’t read that one yet.
I haven’t read this one and it sounds a bit of spiky fun!
It is.
I just order two Mitford books from the library and hope they arrive in time to cram them in before the end of November. I’ve not read nay of her books but I could use some humor these days.
My Week 2 Novella Review batch — <a href=”https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2024/11/classic-novella-reviews-giovannis-room.html“>Novellas in November</a>
Good luck!