Bestselling author Pippa Middleton has written this week’s Spectator diary*, in which she takes on her critics directly:
‘I have been much teased for my book, Celebrate. Lots of journalists are saying that my advice is glaringly obvious… It’s all good fun, I know, and I realise that authors ought to take criticism on the chin. But in my defence, let me say this: Celebrate is meant to be a guide to party planning and, as such, it has to cover the basics. If I were to write a cookery book, for instance, I would be compelled to say that, to make an omelette, you have to break at least one egg.’
The original diary is well worth a read in this year’s Christmas double issue, which you can download for free now and is packed full of fantastic writing, ranging from David Hare to Joan Collins. As well as revealing her expertise in fly-fishing and her devotion to Roger Federer, she also includes ‘a seasonal treat for Spectator readers’ inspired by the spoof @pippatips Twitter account:
‘1) Choose, if you can, a Christmas-themed menu. A turkey, for example, can be perfect for large gatherings.
2) Don’t not invite any members of staff, as this can cause offence.
3) Keep speeches brief and cheerful: Christmas is not a time to talk about redundancies.’
And in the spirit of the season, God bless us, everyone.
*Pippa’s diary is now available in the new bumper Christmas Spectator. To read it for free, download a free trial for Kindle, iPad or iPhone by clicking here.
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