Faces of Philip: A memoir of Philip Toynbee

by Jessica Mitford

Biography of Philip Toynbee. From "Theodore Philip Toynbee (25 June 1916 - 15 June 1981) was a British writer and communist. He wrote experimental novels, and distinctive verse novels, one of which was an epic called Pantaloon, a work in several volumes, only some of which are published. He also wrote memoirs of the 1930s, and reviews and literary criticism, the latter mainly via his employment with The Observer newspaper. He was born in Oxford; his father was the historian Arnold J. Toynbee, and his maternal grandfather was Gilbert Murray. He was educated at Rugby School, where he became rebellious, reacting against the public school system. Inspired by the example of Esmond Romilly, later a friend, he ran away, returned shortly and was expelled. He later wrote a memoir of Romilly, and Jasper Ridley (1913-1944), entitled Friends Apart. Through Romilly, Toynbee met Jessica Mitford, who became a close friend......."

175 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Jessica Lucy Freeman-Mitford was an English author, journalist and political campaigner, who was one of the Mitford sisters. She gained American citizenship in later life.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea who Philip Toynbee was when I picked up this book, but I knew that it wouldn't matter. Jessica Mitford is that rare writer whose interests become your own, and her eagerness to tell a real story - and to make it amusing and absorbing - makes her the perfect biographer. Too bad she didn't have a long enough life to write a memoir about everyone she knew.

I also like that she doesn't mind when people think her shallow, and she's perfectly willing to incorporate others' views verbatim when she thinks she doesn't have a firm enough grasp. I will someday read everything she ever wrote.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mentioned in the letters between Patrick Leigh Fermor and Deborah Mitford (the author's sister), and having read other memoirs by Jessica Mitford with great pleasure, I decided to track this one down, too. I just finished the book today, so I have a feeling I will need to come back to this review later, after further reflection. But for now, at least, I must admit to mixed feelings, mainly due to the impression that this is a person you really had to know in order to appreciate. So many of the people in his life were at pains to insist on his irresistible charm, but this usually follows a description of some horrific behavior, mostly due to alcoholism, as far as I could tell. He does get more interesting as the books goes on (hopefully we all get more interesting as our lives go on!), so I'm glad I didn't give up on it before the end. You do have to love a guy who becomes a "nun" toward the end of his life, and manages to charm a community of nuns into not only letting him hang around, but really becoming part of their community. Actually, as I write this I begin to revise my opinions of both the book and the person at its center, so clearly I am going to need to reflect and revise this review later.

But for now, I should offer a Reader Advisory: This one is for hardcore Mitford-addicts, and/or those who know of Philip Toynbee (son of historian Arnold Toynbee) and want to learn more. Not recommended for those looking for some light reading!

[Benjamin Lettuce Treuhaft · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother died in 1996 so I can give her book, which I only read now after lo these 28 years because in 1984 I was boycotting my famous family, a less than perfect score. I had never read a memoir and I don't think I go for the genre but if you have to read one this would be a good starter. It meanders along with Philip Toynbee's eccentric life (and Red times with his bosom friends my mother Jessica Mitford and her first husband Esmond Romilly). In spite of some old stories and stale jokes I read the thing with fascination. I knew Philip and his daughter Polly Toynbee (now columnist for the Guardian) slightly and now I know them a lot better.
English folks of Philip's generation are already incredibly articulate writers but he and my mother were known as outstanding. If you like amazing turns of phrase and odd people you'll like Faces of Philip.

[G-phy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some charming Decca-isms and anecdotes in this book, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't absolutely Mitford crazy. Try "Hons and Rebels" instead.