Books › Love in a cold climate
Love in a cold climate
a novel.
First published 2000 · 512 pages
A wickedly funny, velvet-draped romp through the glittering monotony and sudden scandals of the English upper class.
What it feels like
Stepping into this novel feels like slipping into a silver lamé gown—glittering, slightly stifling, and undeniably fabulous. The narrative moves at a brisk, gossipy clip, sweeping the reader through the endless, glittering balls of the English Season before plunging into delicious, unexpected scandal. It is a wickedly funny exploration of upper-class country life, where the pressure to secure a perfect marriage creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that practically begs for rebellion. The prose is sharp and observant, lingering on the tactile luxury of green velvet while skewering the fearsome matriarchs who rule this world. It is an absolute delight for readers who crave sharp-tongued social comedies, aristocratic misbehavior, and the unpredictable mysteries of sexual attraction.
- Mood
- glittering
- scandalous
- opulent
- stifling
- Tone
- wickedly funny
- satirical
- wry
- gossipy
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- mystery of sexual attraction · upper-class expectations · social scandal · monotony of high society · rebellion against family
- The writing
- Sharp, observant, and wickedly funny, dripping with sartorial detail and aristocratic wit.
- The arc
- Moves from the glittering but stifling monotony of high society expectations into the shocking, unpredictable fallout of a scandalous rebellion.
- Who it's for
- Readers who delight in sharp-tongued social comedies, glittering ballgowns, and the scandalous misbehavior of the English upper class.
Content notes
- age-gap relationship
- familial romantic relationship
About the book
"How lovely - green velvet and silver. I call that a dream, so soft and delicious, too." She rubbed a fold of the skirt against her cheek. "Mine's silver lame, it smells like a bird cage when it gets hot but I do love it. Aren't you thankful evening skirts are long again?" Ah, the dresses! But oh, the monotony of the Season, with its endless run of glittering balls. Even fabulously fashionable Polly Hampton - with her startling good looks and excellent social connections - is beginning to wilt under the glare. Groomed for the perfect marriage by her mother, fearsome Lady Montdore, Polly instead scandalizes society by declaring her love for her uncle 'Boy' Dougdale, the Lecherous Lecturer, and promptly eloping to France. But the consequences of this union no one could quite expect... Love in a Cold Climate is the wickedly funny follow-up to The Pursuit of Love and explores the mystery of sexual attraction.
Description from Open Library.
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