Take a peek into the diary of Panth (never enquire as to her given name), a young woman knocking on the gilded door of adult life and high society. But kicking up one’s heels at the Cafe de Paris does not come easy to a girl navigating:
- Poverty (even the genteel kind), thanks her papa’s sad demise
- A lack of any experience whatsoever with the opposite sex, of course not counting Freddy Spencer (and he wasn’t that sort of experience, anyhow)
- Multiple sisters with ideas, a grandmother with opinions and one recalcitrant sheep.
Panth knows there is more for her out in the world – it’s 1924, for goodness’ sake – and that could include swoonsome American with excellent teeth, Buck Buchanan. The question is, how in the name of Tatler is she to claim it?
A hilarious coming-of-age story for fans of I Capture the Castle and Bridgerton from Carnegie-nominated and Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller Joanna Nadin.
- Nominated for the 2024 YOTO Carnegie Medal
- Longlisted for the North East Book Awards
- Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week
- A Times Children’s Book of the Year
Praise for the novel
‘Besides the sharp wit, this also has wisdom and warmth.‘ (The Sunday Times)
‘A warm and witty novel with nods to the Mitfords, Austen and others… This is delightful escapism even as it acknowledges several taboos; a gorgeous summer treat.‘ (The Irish Times)
‘If Louise Rennison had written I Capture the Castle it would be this book. Witty, totally charming and proper laugh-out-loud-several-times-on-each-page funny, it’s just a joy from start to finish and I felt sick with envy over the writing.’ (Laura Wood)
‘What an absolute hoot! Set in 1924, and galloping with coming-of-age giddiness, and the promise of parties and life-changing romance, Joanna Nadin’s A Calamity of Mannerings simply brims with vim.’ (LoveReading4Kids)
‘A book to fill the Bridgerton void [with] a unique charm of its own to keep you hooked and laughing throughout.’ (The National)
‘A real roaring 20s romp of a read. Delightful.’ (WRD About Books)
‘This book is bliss!‘ (Hilary McKay)
‘This book is a joy!’ (Sally Nicholls)
‘A storyline that tips a cap at Love in a Cold Climate, I Capture the Castle and even Bridgerton make this a must read for ages 16-106!’ (Cathy Cassidy)
‘So much fun! So clever with such wonderful characters who I can still feel breathing and squabbling around me. I kept on guffawing with laughter.‘ (Natasha Farrant)
‘I couldn’t put it down. Wodehouse is alive and she’s beautiful!‘ (Emma Carroll)
‘Flawless. Fabulous. Austen meets Mitfords, Durrells and Bridgerton.‘ (Rachel Delahaye)
‘A sparkling 1920s coming-of-age story which pays loving tribute to novels like Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle and Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love… Fresh and original.’ (Just Imagine)
‘You’ll genuinely feel sad to say goodbye to Panth, her chaotic family and sweet, understanding Freddy. I’d gladly read not just a sequel but a whole series about these characters. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.’ (Culturefly)
You can order the book by clicking here.
Joanna Nadin 