By Sophie Campbell
Aurum Press Ltd, $29.95, 302 pages
Ever wonder what those Brits are up to in their posh get-ups? Well, wonder no more. Travel writer Sophie Campbell has set out to give us a behind-the-scenes look in The Season: A Summer Whirl Through the British Social Season. This book chronicles her many ventures as she flits (and sometimes stumbles) through a season of Traditional English Occasions; some with more than a hundred years of history behind them. These are the places to see and be seen. From top hats and tweeds, to picnics with plumage, the British social elites are creatures of habit indeed! The painstakingly kept records of horse pedigrees as well as human pedigrees are somewhat surprising, as is their debutante season, which seems very dated.
It should be noted that many of the social references used are not commonly known to the American reader. This contributes to a lackluster reading experience. However, there is a fair amount of historical tidbits that would interest any audience. Campbell’s efforts therefore result in a mildly amusing jaunt through the twelve events that make up “The Season.”
Reviewed by Alicea Swett
[amazon text=Buy On Amazon&asin=1845137035][amazon text=Buy On Amazon&template=carousel&asin=1845137035]