Decca: The Letters of Jessica Mitford
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Books |
Decca: The Letters of Jessica Mitford is a letter compilation from 2006 featuring correspondence by Jessica Mitford, curated by Peter Y. Sussman and released through Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
Synopsis
This volume gathers Mitford’s letters spanning from 1924 up to her passing in 1996, chronicling her break from her family and secret marriage to Esmond Romilly. Following Romilly’s premature death, the letters document her subsequent union with Robert Treuhaft and her involvement in the Civil rights movement, membership in the American Communist Party, as well as her investigative work uncovering practices within the American funeral sector. Similar to Hons and Rebels, the collection emphasizes her interactions with her sisters and acquaintances across both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Reception
The book received widespread acclaim from reviewers. Richard Eder of The New York Times referred to the letters as "a treasure," portraying Mitford as a "happy warrior" who skillfully targeted entities such as funeral directors and prison systems with sharp wit. Writing for The Telegraph, J.K. Rowling called Mitford her "heroine" and commended Sussman’s editing as "masterful."
DJ Taylor from The Independent described the collection as "absorbing," while Miranda Seymour of The Sunday Times emphasized Decca’s incisive humor, labeling it "impure and undiluted pleasure."
Offering a more measured critique, Adam Kirsch of The New York Sun suggested that the letters reveal Mitford’s flair for self-promotion amidst myth-building. Daphne Merkin in Slate recognized the letters’ wit and keen insights but questioned their emotional resonance, ultimately affirming Decca’s lasting appeal and inquisitiveness.