As you know, I have a great love of reading and for books , and a few months ago I came across this and thought I'd share it with you:
"The Nice Girl's Guide to Good Behavior"
by Monica Redlich
ABOUT THE BOOK
"First published in 1935, this subversive tome purports to be a classic etiquette guide to good behavior for young women. Yet hidden beneath its civilized tone is a classic satire that provides a dubious blueprint for becoming a "nice" girl.
From razor-sharp lessons in female one-up-manship ("I'm sure this would fit you. It's vast on me") to tongue~in~cheek counsel on romantic relationships ("If a particular friend has not telephoned you for over a week, this can mean one thing only. He is afraid of being a nuisance. Common courtesy insists that you ring him up and reassure him."), the "advice" included covers public appearance, escorts, and politics, as well as the treacherous territories of scandal and unpleasantness~~and every situation in between.
Illustrated with charming period photographs, this wicked little book is as timely and amusing as ever."
(Synopsis from inside cover)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Monica Redlich was an English journalist, author, and social commentator. She was born in 1909 in Lincolnshire, and brought up in London and the Midlands~~her father was Canon Theologian of Leicester.
Following her marriage to a Danish diplomat, Sigurd Christensen, in 1937, Monica moved first to Copenhagen, where she remained throughout the war years, and then to New York where her husband became Danish Consul~General.
Her books include Everyday England, Jam Tomorrow, Summer Landscape, and Danish Delight.
She died in Copenhagen in 1963.
Now, being the "Out of Africa"~~Karen Blixen~~Isak Dinesen fan that I am, after reading about the author I began to wonder if Monica Redlich and Karen Blixen ever met. After all, Karen was Danish, and she left Kenya in 1931 and returned to Rungstedlund, which was North of Copenhagen, where she lived out the rest of her life. She was 24 years older than Ms. Redlich, but in literary circles, age is rarely an issue. Those invited are chosen based on talent, not age. The chance was very great that they met...I have to find out...
At last, a reference in this book...
(excerpt taken from Britain and Denmark: Political, Economic and Cultural Relations in the 19th and 20th Centuries)
It appears they did not.
What a shame, I think Karen would have enjoyed her sense of humor.
I suppose there is a chance she read this book. . .
If you'd like to have a copy of this light~hearted, satirical "guide", it is available starting at an amazing 18 cents! (Not what I paid, mind you!)
I'll bet that's even cheaper than it originally cost in 1935!
Now that's a vintage bargain!!
I'll try to share some more of the "guide" with you soon. . .
