This book was such an entertaining and exciting read! I loved every part of it, I found myself laughing aloud so many times it is impossible to count! I would read a second book in a heartbeat set in this world with these characters, and feel like I have found another author whom which I truly enjoy reading!

Panth's father has died - leaving only daughters. So the family have to move out of their home and slide into even more gentile poverty than they were already in. And it's 1924, so the options for gently born young women are somewhat limited. But what Panth wants is a bit of romance and a taste of the highlife she's seen in the pages of Tatler. So when their old house is let to a dashing American Bright Young Man it looks like her fortunes may be changing...

Well this was delightful. I love books set in the 1920s and this is a lovely coming of age story about a young woman trying to figure out what she wants and what her place is in the world in difficult circumstances. The blurb for this says it's for fans of I Capture the Castle and Bridgerton and I think that's fairly fair - it's a bit more adult that I Capture, but substantially less sexy than Bridgerton but it's also witty and funny and if you're an adult reading this you can spot some developments coming as well as some of the other books that it's nodding too. Lots of fun.

This is a gloriously funny book. Set in 1924, it tells the story of siblings as they navigate their lives and all the problems that being a woman in 1920's England brings. I loved it.

'A Calamity of Mannerings' is a superb 1920s romantic comedy and coming-of-age story written in diary form in the style of Dodie Smith's 'I Capture the Castle'. Fans of Dodie Smith, Nancy Mitford, Jane Austen or Downton Abbey are sure to love this hilarious and sparkling novel.

The 16-year-old narrator Panth and her sisters Aster and Marigold face losing their home, estate and title after the death of their father - unless their youngest sibling is born in possession of the 'essential appendage' that will prevent cousin Valentine inheriting everything. This is just one of the instances of gender inequality with which Panth must contend. As Joanna Nadin charts Panth's growing attraction to the wealthy new American tenant Buck Buchanan, we are shown how it is women who must face the consequences of male sexual entitlement.

Alongside the novel's serious feminist message (sadly as timely now as in 1924 when it is set), there is plenty of laugh-out-loud humour, much of which revolves around younger sister Marigold and the growing menagerie she accumulates, much to the chagrin of her old-fashioned grandmother. As well as a cat, a dog, lots of rabbit, a sheep and two frogs, Marigold even abducts a penguin in one particularly hilarious section.

Nadin includes lots of charming references to earlier romantic fiction but Panth's voice feels fresh and original. This is a delightful read which should be enjoyed by teenagers and adults alike. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC to review.

I loved this book so much that I immediately pre-ordered a copy to send to my Mum the day it was published as I knew she'd love it too. The comparisons to I Capture The Castle (and to some extend The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West) are obvious and on the mark but what makes this different is the very modern take on life for women and girls in Upper Middle Class England in the 1920s. A modern reader will be hyperaware of the unfairness of 1920s inheritance laws, the perilousness of life for LGBTQ+ couples, relationship dynamics and the ability to have any kind of control over contraception and Nadin has written this very much with this modern gaze in mind. These issues are all touched on but in a natural way fitting within the style of the book. It's funny, sad and I genuinely couldn't put it down.

What a charming and entertaining book. I have read all of Joanna Nadin's adult novels, and this one is completely different. What is the same is her sense of humour and characterisations, but to set this lovely tale in rural England in the 1920s, was an inspired change of direction I like to read books actually written pre-WW2, and the author has absolutely nailed the language and the atmosphere of the time.
Our heroine is 17 year old 'Panther', and she is such an engaging and funny character. I loved her. She is struggling with the recent death of her beloved father, and having to adjust to a change in the family's home and fortunes. Along with her eccentric and formidable family, she takes us on a journey of self-discovery and related antics. I am laughing just remembering some of the scenes. There are similarities with My Family and Other Animals (The Durrells), which can only be a good thing. If a TV company do not snap this up - they are missing a trick!
A massive five stars from me! * * * * *

An interesting concept. How to cope with a genteel poverty coming of age, in 1924, when one has many unmarried sisters and no home to call ones own.

Forced to move out of the family pile when their father dies, due to no male hier, the sisters reside with their mother and grandmother and watch the shenanigans that take place when Buck rents the place.

Panth gets caught up in a world that is not her own and leads us to want to keep her safe and to be glad she has Freddie to look out for her, even if she does not appreciate it.

This is the most gorgeous book. Warm and smart and immersive and so bloody funny. I didn't want it to end.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, which made me laugh out loud, so much so that my husband wanted to know what I was reading. Hint, it probably isn’t the sort of book most men would read. It’s not unlike “I capture the castle”, which I love, but with a lot more sex. The Mannering family have had to move out of their home as their father died without leaving a male heir, and they are living in genteel poverty, in a small village. When the son of an American newspaper magnate buys their old home Panth and her sisters think their troubles are over, but actually they are just beginning.
I loved the characters in the book, both human and animal, in particular Siegfried the sheep, who has far more fun than most sheep do. The men in it are mostly fairly useless, with the exception of Freddy the doctor’s son, and his friend Egg.
This is a very female book, set in 1924, when some women had the vote, but did not have opportunities to be independent. Such opportunities only seem to them to be available to people in possession of a penis. This is something of a theme in the book, which I thought was amusing, but some readers may not.

A delightful, witty, entertaining, and compelling comedy of manners about coming of age in Twenties. Panth is learning to navigate society, love, relationship and her diary is delightful, thought provoking, and funny.
The author is a talented storyteller and I hope there will be more books featuring these characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Written in first person as a diary by a 16 year old budding author living in poverty despite the family's social status, it would be easy to compare "A Calamity of Mannerings" to "I Capture the Castle". But to me "I Capture the Castle" always lacked warmth, and I could never make myself care for the characters. This is so not the case with this book, and as a result I find myself wanting to compare the Mannering girls more to the March girls, in the sense that amidst the chaos of everyday life, there is a strong sense of love and kindness between the family members, and reciprocated with their friends.

Panther 's voice is wonderful: witty, hilarious, lacking any filter at times, to the most entertaining effect. Her family are eccentric but also trying to deal with grief and trying to survive in a society that is not clement for a manless family unit. Each new challenge seems to bring a new zany and incongruous situation (usually thanks to younger sister Marigold) but also seems to bring them closer and stronger as a family unit.
Behind the chaos and drollery though is an astute commentary on the condition of women in the mid 1920s, the patriarchal society and rules they need to navigate and how they clevery and quietly bend them, and an often heartbreaking discourse on the attitudes towards LGBTQ communities at the time (some of it sadly still current). Despite the seriousness of some of the themes, there is a wonderful lightness too, a balance that is so hard to get right, but is pitch perfect here.
A pure joy to read, from beginning to end.

In my view A Calamity of Mannerings is a sort of I Capture the Castle number 2. And let me tell you, that just as Dodie's masterpiece, it captured me wholeheartedly or better said: it charmed my socks off!!

I seriously loved every page and every character, including the villein, because he had his role and he played it to perfection. The humour is exquisite and I really laughed out loud repeatedly. What an extraordinary calamity the Mannerings are. Lovely, quirky girls, being themselves and discovering their place in the world. There's noting that I love more than girls being different and enjoying it. Loving themselves and who they are and embracing life despite shortcomings, poverty, suffering!

I would really love to see some more of the Mannerings, a sequel maybe?!

I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Very much my sort of read so I was going to love it but particularly a fan of how quirky it is and everything about Freddy. Would love a sequel

This delightful novel is the story of the Mannering family, their menagerie of pets and their woes. Its 1924 and England was slowly changing. Amidst this change is the Mannering family living in genteel poverty. Their beloved papas demise without a male heir has led to this sorry state of affairs. Some things had not changed I guess. The book opens on their dilemma with the three sisters all named after flowers commiserating.

Despite the cloud of gloom that surrounds the sisters, Nadin writes with singular bravura making this a humorous read. The things the gals said or their misdemeanours had me howling with laughter. A witty memoir told by Panth in first person POV delivers from the start. The three sisters are all named after flowers. There’s Aster the eldest daughter in a perpetual sulk, Panth – whose name I could not even guess, trying to be hopeful and Marigold with her menagerie of pets. A coming of age tale, well researched and extremely entertaining. Panths’ diary is a mix of naive, erudite prose, and rather thought provoking insights into all aspects of living including the difficulties of life. At the end of the novel I discovered Panths real name. It’s one of those ah ah moments. So easy to guess but I hadn’t. Nadin is good at word games lol. Along the way I also gleaned how and why the phrase ‘A calamity of Mannerings’ was contrived.

Theirs is a world where a woman’s sole destiny is still marriage, intercourse before marriage is potentially catastrophic, homosexuality is frowned upon and is illegal. The Upstairs Downstairs still existed. People were generally snobs and if one was the genteel poor you would either be ignored, pitied or openly snubbed. The genteel had to keep up appearances. An enlightened girl would feel the discrimination, genteel or not and if you are the Mannering gals, loudly lament their state. I loved how Nadin engaged all her characters to facetiously question these difficult topics. I laughed and also cried with them. I empathised with the Mannering clan. Their turn of phrase was droll.

This novel could well have been a very ordinary, boring story but it was Nadins perceptiveness, turn of phrase and her masterly penmanship that makes the ordinary into a captivating read. Not surprising when one reads her impressive bio. Her descriptions through Panth are colourful, the characters vivid and real, giving us an enchanting glimpse into life at the turn of the century. There were many evocative poignant moments when my eyes filled with tears.

Flawless, witty, emotional, beautifully written, riveting, punchy, and a story that just keeps delivering. An unforgettable read that will uplift and lighten one’s spirit for a long time.

Loved it!

Filled with wit and warmth as the siblings navigate the ups and downs of life in the 1920s. Another hit from Joanna Nadin, A Calamity of Mannerings was a joy to read!

A Calamity of Mannerings by Joanna Nadin is a fun, lively coming-of-age story. Panth is a young woman of limited means in 1924 England trying to find her way in the world. With poverty, lack of experience with men, and several opinionated female relatives to deal with, it's a challenging situation for sure. But through it all, Panth finds friendship, a swoonsome American suitor, and some unexpected adventures along the way.

This delightful book will capture the hearts of fans of I Capture the Castle and Bridgerton. The illustrations by Emma Block are a perfect addition, adding the perfect touch of whimsy. All in all, A Calamity of Mannerings is an uplifting story about embracing one's fate and embracing the adventure.

This book was such an entertaining and exciting read! I loved every part of it, I found myself laughing aloud so many times it is impossible to count! Freddy is my favourite character, his kindness and softness is so endearing and I truly swooned over everything he said to Panth, “HIS” Panth!!!

I would read a second book in a heartbeat set in this world with these characters, and feel like I have found another author whom which I truly enjoy reading! This book tackles some strong subjects and explains most of all that women are just as intelligent and competent than men! Every small interaction brought me joy!

Join sixteen-year-old Panther on her journey as she discovers the world of romance, failed romance, society, friendships, family and sisterhood, and most of all, discovering her purpose in life! This book is such a joy to read and I highly highly recommend! Thank you to Net Gallery and the publisher for this ARC.

This was such a charming, enjoyable read! Nadin's cast of wonderful, witty characters and her delightful storytelling had me completely engrossed. I *genuinely* laughed and smiled while reading, and I loved how Nadin so skillfully subverted the classic historical coming-of-age genre. A fun and compelling escape!

This was utterly delightful! In the vein of I Capture the Castle, but somewhat more lighthearted, this book introduces us to the irrepressible Mannering siblings as they deal with their life in the 1920s, and I loved every single one of them. This is wittily and warmly written, and I defy you not to get swept along in the wonderful bubbly story. Definitely one I'll be buying a hard copy of - I simply loved it!

I have lots of personal catnip-genres but somewhere at the top of the list, if not at the top, is early/mid century coming of age, whether contemporaneous or contemporary historical. Before I was two paged in I knew that I was going to find A Calamity of Mannerings an utter delight. But fear not if you don't share my own very specific tastes, if you enjoy a well-researched, well-written, very funny Young Adult book with a fabulous cast then this for you.

Sixteen year old Pan has recently lost her father, and with him possibly her home unless the child her mother is about to have is a boy and can inherit the title and estate. Either way she and her sisters live in rural genteel poverty where Pan dreams of joining her friend Margot in London to join the Bright Young Things, and of Romance, rereading The Sheikh over and over. Her older sister, Aster, is permanantly miserable, especially since her best friend got engaged, her younger, Marigold, is busy adding to her menangerie which includes a barely-domesticated ram, while her formidable grandmother disapproves of them all from The Dower House.

Told in diary form this very entertaining book doesn't shy away from difficult topics told through Pan's sometimes naive, artless prose, including the difficulties of life in a world where homosexuality is illegal, a woman's destiny is marriage, abortion is not just illegal but life threatening and sex before marriage potentially catastrophic, mixed up in a world sharply divided between the haves and have nots. Fabulously written and peopled with unforgettable characters I adored every word. Highly recommended.