bbc1 9pm In pursuit of love.

I gave up on it pretty early on.

Oh dear, it was dire. The actresses looked about 30 and were meant to be teenagers. It looked like they were lesbians but didn't quite know it. I haven't read the book so I've no idea if it turns out they are lesbians.

Me too, disappointed with Pursuit of Love

I binge watched it all yesterday whilst painting my living room . I thought it was a beautiful , delicious romp .

Aveline, I am glad you say the book is better. I might try it when I finish the novels I am on. The decor of the TV programme was pretty but for me the action was unbelievable not funny.

Yes Sago, aristocrats never wave their knives and forks around. Julian Fellowes had to mention these details to actors in Downton Abbey.
The excitement, ‘fun’ sadness level all turned up too high for me and Lily J seems the only actress available at the mo, rather like Judi Dench, although good as she is, must have cloned herself to appear in so many productions. Give others a chance for goodness sake!
I will carry on watching as it will probably calm down and I like the frocks.

Could one tell me where I stand in the pecking order as I don’t have a fireplace or mantelpiece ?

Turned it off quite early on when I realised it was not for me.

I loved the books and loved the version from a few years back with Judi Dench. This new adaptation was such a disappointment.

Watched the last part again as I fell asleep on Sunday night.
Not keen on Lily James somehow, the way she ‘does’ her mouth. It was the same in Downton.

I'd much rather watch a repeat of The Borrowers.
Loved Ian Holm
He was a Shakespearean actor too, so I can't be that common.

I am definitely from a lower class - not only have I got a mantelpiece it is above the most useless coal effect gas fire. In my defence we acquired it when we moved here and it looks nice even if it fails to give out any warmth.

We have the same - a mantelpiece and a coal effect fire. We have no defence at all as we installed the fire (not the mantelpiece) so we are most definitely non-U and common as muck.

I just remembered The Overmantles from The Borrowers so I googled them. ‘They lived on the drawing room mantlepiece. They were snobbish and given to airs but Homily pitied them because they were forced to live on breakfast food and often went hungry’. The impoverished rich by the sound of it!

Just catching up on my mantelpiece query. Thanks to everyone who responded for their interesting answers.

I am definitely from a lower class - not only have I got a mantelpiece it is above the most useless coal effect gas fire. In my defence we acquired it when we moved here and it looks nice even if it fails to give out any warmth.

Loved the book and the 1980s adaptation with Judi Dench. They drew you in to the quirky strange world of the Radlett.

This production seems to be determined to keep the audience at arms length. There's something patronising about it.

And beautiful and talented as she is, I'm tired of seeing Lily James in everything. She really has become over exposed.

The chimney piece is apparently the hood which sticks out and draws the smoke up the chimney. The mantel is the shelf over the fire place. Presumably stately homes had chimney pieces but not necessarily mantels - they were a more middle class housing development, so mantelpiece was non-u.

MayBee70 the DVD of Cold Comfort Farm is £8.99 on Amazon.
Yes, I would love the see The Glittering Prizes again. (Just seen that is on Amazon too).

How many hands up for bringing "The Glittering Prizes " back another iconic series in my view.

Cold Comfort Farm. Rufus Sewell, Kate Beckinsale, Freddie Jones, Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry all in one adaptation. I had it on video but, not surprisingly, I never got it back. It was superb!

Sorry that was for mimipoppetnanna

I've only just read a bit about it.
Are they together now, or did it bite the dust?

The Cold Comfort farm adaptation was brilliant. We have it on DVD and also the Judi Dench / Michael Aldridge Pursuit of Love from 1980.
I thought the one last night was an absolute travesty. It completely lost the subtlety and nuances of the book and contributed nothing in terms of insight into the characters. Brash, vulgar and distasteful. ?

Does anyone remember the adaptation of I Capture the Castle from a few years ago. And( my favourite) Cold Comfort Farm?

I can’t watch LJ without shouting trollop or DW without something more colourful! His poor wife must have felt sick last night

Jessica Mitford’s book ‘Hons and Rebels’ shows that the family were quite bonkers and very much as portrayed, their father behaved just as Uncle Matthew in this production.