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Mapp & Lucia #3
Lucia in London
Here is Lucia in one of her most extraordinary adventures: can she conquer her new home of London, and still hold her societal ground over the stately country mansions of Riseholme as well? Will the citizens of Riseholme - hurt and maddened by Lucia's desertion for the great city - carry out their plot of revenge?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1927
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About the author
E.F. Benson
886books338followersEdward Frederic "E. F." Benson was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer.
E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.
Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.
Last paragraph from Wikipedia
E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.
Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.
Last paragraph from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
November 9, 2023
4.5�
It pains me not to be able to give this Lucia novel the full 5�*, as I think it is the funniest one yet!
I was close to tears a couple of times, while my husband looked at me with some bewilderment while I struggled to hold the enormous omnibus I own in my hands (& resting on one knee!)
Peppino (who more than ever makes me think of Richard in Keeping Up Appearances)
has an inheritance from an aunt that includes a very desirable residence in London. It was Benson's home in real life - you can see the Blue Plaque in the picture below.
Lucia can hardly wait to shed her faux grief;
& head to London where she does some very determined social climbing! PoorRichard Peppino!
Just had to knock half a � off, as I found the ending a bit weak & felt that Benson had missed mining some hilarious comedic opportunities in a future book. Of course, I may be proved wrong.
But hilarious until that point!
*Edit: Although my idea for finishing this book was very good, reading shows Benson had a definite plan.
5� it is.
It pains me not to be able to give this Lucia novel the full 5�*, as I think it is the funniest one yet!
I was close to tears a couple of times, while my husband looked at me with some bewilderment while I struggled to hold the enormous omnibus I own in my hands (& resting on one knee!)
Peppino (who more than ever makes me think of Richard in Keeping Up Appearances)
has an inheritance from an aunt that includes a very desirable residence in London. It was Benson's home in real life - you can see the Blue Plaque in the picture below.
Lucia can hardly wait to shed her faux grief;
Lucia sighed. It was a long, intentional sigh. George could visualise her putting her mouth quite close to the receiver to make sure it carried.
& head to London where she does some very determined social climbing! Poor
Just had to knock half a � off, as I found the ending a bit weak & felt that Benson had missed mining some hilarious comedic opportunities in a future book. Of course, I may be proved wrong.
But hilarious until that point!
*Edit: Although my idea for finishing this book was very good, reading shows Benson had a definite plan.
5� it is.
September 18, 2014
Darlings, you simply must visit London! The charmed village of Riseholme may be a country seat of unsurpassed delicacy and dignity when compared to the stridently au courant London Town of the 1920s... but with Riseholme's very own Queen Lucia spending her summer season at 25 Brompton Square, that notorious city of faddish layabouts has at last been given a sheen of class and taste. However temporarily that may be! For despite her quick accumulation of Lords and Duchesses and Rich London Eccentrics added to her table and parlour, surely her heart must still dwell within graceful Riseholme? Surely it must! It cannot be that the Empress of that delicious village, its doyenne of style, its mistress of manipulation, its swift trouncer of all rivals... couldn't be throwing over Riseholme in favour of the dubious pleasures and unusual smells of the former Londinium? Yes, it is true, we have all heard the rumours... she has remade herself, crimped her hair and shortened her skirt, all the better to keep up with those too-fashionable London wags and tarts... she has even acquired and deputized her own London version of Riseholme's precious Georgie - complete with Georgie's fluttering hands and his sailor's trousers and even his daring little cape - to be her own London lady-in-waiting. Poor, sweet Georgie - has he been supplanted? Has fair Riseholme itself been superseded? It cannot be! Well, as we sort out this dreadful mystery, at least we are still able to sit back and enjoy Lucia make short work of London's tarsome social mores and strictures. No one knows how to climb more swiftly than Lucia!
Dearest Lucia may be incorrigible when it comes to her forever-burning desire for social dominance, for recognition as the ultimo word on what is or is not in vogue, for all others to pay homage at the altar of High Culture that she has constructed... but all that said, Queen Lucia is certainly no common snob. What Lucia loves is Life Itself, in all of its quaint smallness and all of its grand largeness. Lucia equals Living! Her mind may be narrow but her appetite for life is wide and all-encompassing. Nothing is too small for Lucia to domineer over! Let us enjoy the spectacle of Lucia devouring whatever crosses her path.
So it is for both the residents of Riseholme and the crème de la crème of London. All must love Lucia, because she makes things so very interesting. And so it is for the readers of "Lucia in London"... Lucia and the world around her may be viewed with a certain sarcastic sharpness, an eyeroll or a snort or a disdainful curl of the lip at the ongoing misadventures of this exquisitely monstrous woman... but there must be a measure of generosity within that viewpoint as well. Or even admiration! E.F. Benson has a sure way with words, his prose dainty and his tone arch, his narrative one that parodies superficiality and upward mobility and the relentless chasing of fads and fashions, the entire endeavor a stiletto pricking the inflated egos and petty ambitions of the Riseholmites, his story even daring to pop the gaudy balloon of La Lucia herself... but Mr. Benson also adores her, and all of his creations. There may not be much of substance in these glorious human macaroons, but they are wonderfully delectable. Lucia most of all!
Darlings, you simply must visit Lucia in London. She's so frightfully picturesque!
Dearest Lucia may be incorrigible when it comes to her forever-burning desire for social dominance, for recognition as the ultimo word on what is or is not in vogue, for all others to pay homage at the altar of High Culture that she has constructed... but all that said, Queen Lucia is certainly no common snob. What Lucia loves is Life Itself, in all of its quaint smallness and all of its grand largeness. Lucia equals Living! Her mind may be narrow but her appetite for life is wide and all-encompassing. Nothing is too small for Lucia to domineer over! Let us enjoy the spectacle of Lucia devouring whatever crosses her path.
So it is for both the residents of Riseholme and the crème de la crème of London. All must love Lucia, because she makes things so very interesting. And so it is for the readers of "Lucia in London"... Lucia and the world around her may be viewed with a certain sarcastic sharpness, an eyeroll or a snort or a disdainful curl of the lip at the ongoing misadventures of this exquisitely monstrous woman... but there must be a measure of generosity within that viewpoint as well. Or even admiration! E.F. Benson has a sure way with words, his prose dainty and his tone arch, his narrative one that parodies superficiality and upward mobility and the relentless chasing of fads and fashions, the entire endeavor a stiletto pricking the inflated egos and petty ambitions of the Riseholmites, his story even daring to pop the gaudy balloon of La Lucia herself... but Mr. Benson also adores her, and all of his creations. There may not be much of substance in these glorious human macaroons, but they are wonderfully delectable. Lucia most of all!
Darlings, you simply must visit Lucia in London. She's so frightfully picturesque!
August 9, 2024
I don’t write reviews.
Lucia, having inherited property in Brompton Square, tries her hand in London’s modern world of social climbers. She decides to split her time between Brompton and Riseholme, thinking she can reign supreme in both worlds. Is such a thing possible? How will her long-time friends, and loyal subjects, accept this insulting treatment?
The stories of her rise in the quirky world of artists and pugilists and duchesses in London are far more charming than you’d think. Sure, she’s still a terrible poseur, but you find yourself rooting for her and enjoying her flexibility in awkward situations. The duchesses themselves find pleasure in her escapades and aren’t bothered by her snobbery, since she doesn’t try to hide the fact that she is a snob. She embraces it like a well-fitting garment.
Back in Riseholme, spiritualism revives and Daisy finds a spirit guide from Egypt, through her use of planchette, who somehow always knows what to say. Riseholme creates a very odd museum. A great romp indeed!
Lucia, having inherited property in Brompton Square, tries her hand in London’s modern world of social climbers. She decides to split her time between Brompton and Riseholme, thinking she can reign supreme in both worlds. Is such a thing possible? How will her long-time friends, and loyal subjects, accept this insulting treatment?
The stories of her rise in the quirky world of artists and pugilists and duchesses in London are far more charming than you’d think. Sure, she’s still a terrible poseur, but you find yourself rooting for her and enjoying her flexibility in awkward situations. The duchesses themselves find pleasure in her escapades and aren’t bothered by her snobbery, since she doesn’t try to hide the fact that she is a snob. She embraces it like a well-fitting garment.
Back in Riseholme, spiritualism revives and Daisy finds a spirit guide from Egypt, through her use of planchette, who somehow always knows what to say. Riseholme creates a very odd museum. A great romp indeed!
April 6, 2020
Thoroughly entertaining, with some wonderful character studies. Such great fun.
December 29, 2014
The series of 'Mapp and Lucia' novels written by EF Benson are, for me, the funniest books in the English language. Yes, they really are that good. I accept that they are very much an acquired taste. By no means everyone will enjoy these gentle, kindly satires that poke fun at the lives of the financially independent upper middle classes of provincial England in the 1930s. The principal character throughout the series is Emmeline Lucas, aka 'Lucia'. Lucia is a pretentious, snobbish and domineering social climber who has to be at the centre of everything. In this novel she is at her scheming best. Her husband inherits a house in one of the most sought-after and expensive parts of London, Brompton Square. Lucia temporarily abandons Riseholme, the village in which she lives, and sets about trying to become a major player in the artistic and social life of one of the world's greatest cities. Needless to say, things don't go according to her manipulative plans.
As a Christmas treat, I re-read one of the books in this series every December. 'Lucia in London' is essentially no different from any of the others. It is a comedy of manners that mercilessly, but ultimately gently, satirises the lives of a certain kind of person who does not need to work and who consequently has rather too much time on their hands. It's not uproariously funny. You are much more likely to smile at it rather than guffaw (although I did burst into peals of laughter on a few occasions). It's a comic novel that won't be to everyone's taste (humour is a very individual thing). The characterisation and dialogue are spot on. Benson created a very outlandish world and group of characters. But somehow he makes it all very believable. I think 'Lucia in London' is an absolutely brilliant book. It's certainly a great antidote to the frenzied commercialism and stresses of Christmas and to the usually freezing cold weather in Northern Europe at this time of year.
Television viewers in the UK are about to be treated to a three-part BBC adaptation of the 'Mapp and Lucia' stories. I am greatly looking forward to the programmes. But however good they are, they almost certainly will not match the novels themselves, which are best experienced via the printed page. I cannot recommend 'Lucia in London' too highly. 10/10.
As a Christmas treat, I re-read one of the books in this series every December. 'Lucia in London' is essentially no different from any of the others. It is a comedy of manners that mercilessly, but ultimately gently, satirises the lives of a certain kind of person who does not need to work and who consequently has rather too much time on their hands. It's not uproariously funny. You are much more likely to smile at it rather than guffaw (although I did burst into peals of laughter on a few occasions). It's a comic novel that won't be to everyone's taste (humour is a very individual thing). The characterisation and dialogue are spot on. Benson created a very outlandish world and group of characters. But somehow he makes it all very believable. I think 'Lucia in London' is an absolutely brilliant book. It's certainly a great antidote to the frenzied commercialism and stresses of Christmas and to the usually freezing cold weather in Northern Europe at this time of year.
Television viewers in the UK are about to be treated to a three-part BBC adaptation of the 'Mapp and Lucia' stories. I am greatly looking forward to the programmes. But however good they are, they almost certainly will not match the novels themselves, which are best experienced via the printed page. I cannot recommend 'Lucia in London' too highly. 10/10.
March 17, 2014
When contemporary fiction fails me, and I am searching for something to read, the road inevitably leads back to E. F. Benson's Lucia novels.
And, Lucia in London is one of my favorites.
I have probably read the book five or six times and it never fails to amuse and entertain me, but since moving to a small town I think I appreciate it even more.
Lucia has enjoyed life at the center of her small-town social circle for years. A generous inheritance enables her to live in luxury in one of London's nicest neighborhoods and she proceeds to take the town by storm. Her behavior is appalling: she deserts her old friends; is a brazen social climber; takes on a "fake" boyfriend to add allure to her persona; and manages to enthrall the top rungs of society with her antics.
Good grief! This portrait of Lucia in the 1920's could be cobbled from stories of life in my small desert city. British author Nancy Mitford was a loyal "Luciaphil" and wrote that the stories were still "fresh as paint." I feel that way too; I laugh at the silly antics of the characters as if I'd never read them before.
Nothing is more valuable than old friends---and Benson's Lucia novels have been my close friends since my 20's and will remain with me forever. I keep a personal copy for myself--and a spare for lending because I am terrified that I might lend a copy and it would not return.
And, Lucia in London is one of my favorites.
I have probably read the book five or six times and it never fails to amuse and entertain me, but since moving to a small town I think I appreciate it even more.
Lucia has enjoyed life at the center of her small-town social circle for years. A generous inheritance enables her to live in luxury in one of London's nicest neighborhoods and she proceeds to take the town by storm. Her behavior is appalling: she deserts her old friends; is a brazen social climber; takes on a "fake" boyfriend to add allure to her persona; and manages to enthrall the top rungs of society with her antics.
Good grief! This portrait of Lucia in the 1920's could be cobbled from stories of life in my small desert city. British author Nancy Mitford was a loyal "Luciaphil" and wrote that the stories were still "fresh as paint." I feel that way too; I laugh at the silly antics of the characters as if I'd never read them before.
Nothing is more valuable than old friends---and Benson's Lucia novels have been my close friends since my 20's and will remain with me forever. I keep a personal copy for myself--and a spare for lending because I am terrified that I might lend a copy and it would not return.
June 14, 2024
I needed something light and this did the trick. There's something just so satisfying about Lucia and her Riseholme friends' dysfunctional affinity for one another.
"Utterly gone was her need for complete rest; she had never been so full of raw, blatant, savage vitality."
"Utterly gone was her need for complete rest; she had never been so full of raw, blatant, savage vitality."
June 20, 2012
Emmeline Lucas is a snob of the first order. And so hilariously affected. How affected? She insists that all of her friends and acquaintances call her "Lucia," with the Italian pronunciation, and invariably refers to her husband Philip as "Pepino." (The joke, of course, is that Lucia's Italian is so bad that she doesn't realize that it's spelled Peppino, and that it's a nickname for Giuseppe -- that is, Joseph. Philip would be Filippo, and the nickname would be Pippo.)
At first, I was simply infuriated at her relentless social climbing and affectations, but as the book wore on, I gradually, like so many of the socialites and artistic lions that Lucia so assiduously cultivated during her brief season in London, came to become a Luciaphil [sic] myself. (The group formed an admiration society they dubbed the Luciaphil Club where they both laughed at Lucia and admired her determination to force herself into London's highest social circles -- needless to say, without Lucia's knowledge.)
Was I delighted when Lucia's social-climbing antics made her into a fool or when she otherwise got her comeuppances? I would be less than human if I weren't. However, like Georgie Pillson and Mrs. Boucher, her friends from the village of Riseholme, I came to realize that life, whether in London or Riseholme, just wasn't as fun without Lucia. Even if she did steal most of her ideas from others (usually her poor neighbor, the incredibly silly Daisy Quantock), Lucia just did so much more fun things with them than the originator. She was over the top, yes, but she made me laugh out loud with her inexorable attempts to befriend duchesses, genius musicians and other luminaries of London society.
Be sure to read the Lucia books in order, beginning with . You'll find yourself laughing out loud and, while finding Lucia infuriating, you'll end up becoming a Luciaphil, too. Divertitevi!
At first, I was simply infuriated at her relentless social climbing and affectations, but as the book wore on, I gradually, like so many of the socialites and artistic lions that Lucia so assiduously cultivated during her brief season in London, came to become a Luciaphil [sic] myself. (The group formed an admiration society they dubbed the Luciaphil Club where they both laughed at Lucia and admired her determination to force herself into London's highest social circles -- needless to say, without Lucia's knowledge.)
Was I delighted when Lucia's social-climbing antics made her into a fool or when she otherwise got her comeuppances? I would be less than human if I weren't. However, like Georgie Pillson and Mrs. Boucher, her friends from the village of Riseholme, I came to realize that life, whether in London or Riseholme, just wasn't as fun without Lucia. Even if she did steal most of her ideas from others (usually her poor neighbor, the incredibly silly Daisy Quantock), Lucia just did so much more fun things with them than the originator. She was over the top, yes, but she made me laugh out loud with her inexorable attempts to befriend duchesses, genius musicians and other luminaries of London society.
Be sure to read the Lucia books in order, beginning with . You'll find yourself laughing out loud and, while finding Lucia infuriating, you'll end up becoming a Luciaphil, too. Divertitevi!
February 24, 2010
There are some authors whose works are so delicious to me that I dole them out slowly, so that I do not gorge myself on their riches. The Lucia and Mapp novels of E. F. Benson are one such series of books. Thus far, I have read only the first two novels in the series, Queen Lucia and Lucia in London. Both were priceless.
Lucia is Mrs. Philip Lucas of Riseholme, a rural community in the South of England which she dominates like Queen Victoria dominated her court. It is the 1920s that Evelyn Waugh so adeptly parodied in Vile Bodies: Lucia, as she calls herself, talks in scraps of nonsense Italian-English, interspersed with stretches of "ickle" baby talk.
When it happens that Lucia and Peppino (her husband Philip) inherit a fashionable London house in Brompton Square from the latter's elderly aunt, together with a load of pound sterling, a painting by Sargent, and even some pearls. Well, that's that" Lucia sets out to conquer London -- and she does it through a combination of intelligence and ruthless social climbing. Her ascent is so marked that the high society of London are divided into Luciaphils -- and enemies.
If you have never read any of Benson's novels, start with Queen Lucia and be prepared to laugh yourself silly.
Lucia is Mrs. Philip Lucas of Riseholme, a rural community in the South of England which she dominates like Queen Victoria dominated her court. It is the 1920s that Evelyn Waugh so adeptly parodied in Vile Bodies: Lucia, as she calls herself, talks in scraps of nonsense Italian-English, interspersed with stretches of "ickle" baby talk.
When it happens that Lucia and Peppino (her husband Philip) inherit a fashionable London house in Brompton Square from the latter's elderly aunt, together with a load of pound sterling, a painting by Sargent, and even some pearls. Well, that's that" Lucia sets out to conquer London -- and she does it through a combination of intelligence and ruthless social climbing. Her ascent is so marked that the high society of London are divided into Luciaphils -- and enemies.
If you have never read any of Benson's novels, start with Queen Lucia and be prepared to laugh yourself silly.
March 24, 2017
3.5 stars
Lucia is back to her ways again in this installment of the Lucia series; I have to say that I like this better than the first book.
Peppino (Lucia's husband) has just inherited a house in London and some income from an aunt. It doesn't take long until Lucia is working her way up the social ladder in London while the residents of Riseholme are reading about Lucia's activities in the social column of the newspaper. No doubt about it, Lucia is a brilliant climber, but Riseholme is irked and moving on without her, even if they are lacking the luster and force of life with Lucia in it. The question is, will Lucia and Peppino become permanent fixtures in London?
Lucia is back to her ways again in this installment of the Lucia series; I have to say that I like this better than the first book.
Peppino (Lucia's husband) has just inherited a house in London and some income from an aunt. It doesn't take long until Lucia is working her way up the social ladder in London while the residents of Riseholme are reading about Lucia's activities in the social column of the newspaper. No doubt about it, Lucia is a brilliant climber, but Riseholme is irked and moving on without her, even if they are lacking the luster and force of life with Lucia in it. The question is, will Lucia and Peppino become permanent fixtures in London?
November 25, 2022
August 2017 reread: 3.5* Lucia's social climbing in London wasn't as amusing as the reactions of the people in Riseholme. Lucia's ambitions and disregard of her husband made her less sympathetic than I found her in the first book, Queen Lucia. However she is back to her previous good form in the last few chapters so I look forward to reading the next book sometime soon.
December 5, 2012
Camp world where the most "Tarsome" eventuality that has to be contended with is having to run your own bath when your maid has been given the afternoon off.
March 7, 2024
Nuevas andanzas de Lucia y su troupe. Ese ser mezquino, arribista, egocéntrico, falso y a la vez entrañable y cómico.
Un excelente ejemplo de ese humor británico que retrata la sociedad inglesa de entre guerras con una acidez corrosiva y a la vez magistral.
Como dirían en el libro, soy un "lucianofilo" declarado.
Un excelente ejemplo de ese humor británico que retrata la sociedad inglesa de entre guerras con una acidez corrosiva y a la vez magistral.
Como dirían en el libro, soy un "lucianofilo" declarado.
May 28, 2022
I adore this series it makes me laugh outloud which i truly need these days- would love to live in the village by the sea and have tea with Lucia. very old fashioned read but i still absolutely love them.
April 7, 2020
This is definitely my favorite of the Lucia series thus far. An aunt of Lucia’s husband dies, leaving a “modest� fortune of what today would be about £175,000 not counting the freehold on 25 Brompton Square, which according to Zoopla, would be worth about £10M, or the antique furnishings therein. That’s a little better than modest, IMO. (By the way, E.F. Benson himself owned 25 Brompton Square, and attached to the house is a Blue Plaque honoring him. You can see it on Google maps.)
Anyway, Lucia is taken with the prospect of storming London Society; indeed, London Society has no clue what is in store for it! Lucia is in top form, gabbling and blundering and sparkling her way into the most select tea parties and dinner parties. The most sagacious denizens of the capital see Lucia as the sycophantic climber she is, but are so well entertained by her antics they call themselves Luciaphils. 😂😂😂
Lucia is so caught up in the high society that she unfortunately shuns her friends in Riseholme. But Riseholme administers a well-deserved lesson to Lucia, and she doesn’t forget it again.
The humor in these stories could so easily become mean-spirited. In fact, one of the characters makes this point a couple of times:
**
And that’s it, exactly. Benson writes so the reader richly enjoys Lucia and her antics, and those of the rest of Riseholme as well.
Anyway, Lucia is taken with the prospect of storming London Society; indeed, London Society has no clue what is in store for it! Lucia is in top form, gabbling and blundering and sparkling her way into the most select tea parties and dinner parties. The most sagacious denizens of the capital see Lucia as the sycophantic climber she is, but are so well entertained by her antics they call themselves Luciaphils. 😂😂😂
Lucia is so caught up in the high society that she unfortunately shuns her friends in Riseholme. But Riseholme administers a well-deserved lesson to Lucia, and she doesn’t forget it again.
The humor in these stories could so easily become mean-spirited. In fact, one of the characters makes this point a couple of times:
[Adele] Dear me, aren’t I poisonous, when I’m going to her house to meet Alf next week! But I don’t feel poisonous; I feel wildly interested: I adore her.
**
She’s ridiculous!� said Marcia, relapsing a little.
‘No, you mustn’t feel that,� said Adele. ‘You mustn’t laugh at her ever. You must just richly enjoy her.�
And that’s it, exactly. Benson writes so the reader richly enjoys Lucia and her antics, and those of the rest of Riseholme as well.
December 23, 2015
Another fun romp with Lucia, Georgie, and Daisy! A Ouija board that goes by the name Abfou, a small-town museum whose biggest exhibit are a pair of mittens worn by Queen Charlotte, and now a home in London, where Lucia continues to ineptly climb the social ladder, this book is the second in the Mapp and Lucia series and was just as much fun as the first. And I have four more to go!
I'm a stickler for making the edition I have read to be my book photo, but for some reason they didn't have the edition I read. This was close!
I'm a stickler for making the edition I have read to be my book photo, but for some reason they didn't have the edition I read. This was close!
Read
December 28, 2016Rhythm returns to Riseholme.
April 19, 2024
While this second installment of the Lucia and Mapp series was a fun read, it was not as much fun as the first. While this was written 5 years after Queen Lucia, and after Miss Mapp (which is why it is often also listed as #2 in the series) the book picks up the characters� story only several months after the Queen Lucia events.
The main plot catalyst is Lucia and her husband Pepino’s entry into London society upon their inheritance of a fancy London home upon the death of Pepino’s aunt. With Lucia’s absence, Riseholme residents rejoice in their ability to control some of their own destiny yet at the same time feel slighted by her interest in London society over them. The novel has scenes in both London and Riseholme. There is also more satire of the newest societal ‘thing� in this case, the use of the Ouija board-like planchette that is guided by a long-dead spirit.
One positive facet of the book is that it attempted to explain why the Riseholme residents allow themselves to follow such a despotic ruler as Lucia. In a passage looking into the minds of Lucia’s relatively faithful sidekick Georgie, the narrator explains about Lucia:
“She aggravated and exasperated them; she was a hypocrite � a poseuse, a sham and a snob, but there was something about her that stirred you into violent though protesting activity, and though she might infuriate you, she prevented your being dull.�
At that time, I needed Benson’s explanation as, while appreciating the humor that Lucia’s rule brought, I was beginning to find the townspeople’s servitude toward Lucia less and less charming and humorous and more and more inexplicable and just strange. I needed Benson’s explanation to aid the continuance of my acceptance of these characters.
However, despite my better understanding of the townspeople’s toleration of Lucia, I still found Lucia’s antics more tiresome than in the first novel. I also did not learn to appreciate the new London characters� fascination with her when she entered their society. Lucia’s character did become more appealing toward the end of the book though, just when I will be leaving her to get acquainted with Miss Mapp in my next book. I rate this as a 3 star but enjoyable read.
The main plot catalyst is Lucia and her husband Pepino’s entry into London society upon their inheritance of a fancy London home upon the death of Pepino’s aunt. With Lucia’s absence, Riseholme residents rejoice in their ability to control some of their own destiny yet at the same time feel slighted by her interest in London society over them. The novel has scenes in both London and Riseholme. There is also more satire of the newest societal ‘thing� in this case, the use of the Ouija board-like planchette that is guided by a long-dead spirit.
One positive facet of the book is that it attempted to explain why the Riseholme residents allow themselves to follow such a despotic ruler as Lucia. In a passage looking into the minds of Lucia’s relatively faithful sidekick Georgie, the narrator explains about Lucia:
“She aggravated and exasperated them; she was a hypocrite � a poseuse, a sham and a snob, but there was something about her that stirred you into violent though protesting activity, and though she might infuriate you, she prevented your being dull.�
At that time, I needed Benson’s explanation as, while appreciating the humor that Lucia’s rule brought, I was beginning to find the townspeople’s servitude toward Lucia less and less charming and humorous and more and more inexplicable and just strange. I needed Benson’s explanation to aid the continuance of my acceptance of these characters.
However, despite my better understanding of the townspeople’s toleration of Lucia, I still found Lucia’s antics more tiresome than in the first novel. I also did not learn to appreciate the new London characters� fascination with her when she entered their society. Lucia’s character did become more appealing toward the end of the book though, just when I will be leaving her to get acquainted with Miss Mapp in my next book. I rate this as a 3 star but enjoyable read.
June 11, 2021
A delightful listen to a delightful social comedy written in 1927. Happily, Naxos recently released all six Mapp and Lucia novels, unabridged.
May 11, 2022
This book was so stressful to me because the main character irritated me so much. Lucia could fall off a cliff to her death and I would feel nothing for her. I love Benson's writing style and hate that a character would ruin the book for me.
January 17, 2012
mILDLY AMUSING BUT WHAT GHASTLY PEOPLE.
November 4, 2021
“Mrs Alingsby was tall and weird and intense, dressed rather like a bird-of-paradise that had been out in a high gale.� Marvellous.
March 9, 2018
Novità ?
È la parola con cui di solito si da inizio alla conversazione, possibilmente ricca di pettegolezzi, a Riseholme, minuscolo e delizioso villaggio elisabettiano non lontano da Londra, abitato da una ristretta comunità di persone benestanti la cui massima preoccupazione è occuparsi di giardinaggio, musica, bridge e, soprattutto, dei fatti degli altri.
Particolarmente brillanti in questa non banale occupazione sono George, un adorabile dandy che, abitando in un villino sulla piazza, gode di una posizione privilegiata, e la sua vicina Daisy, simpatica pasticciona, abilissima nel captare e diffondere qualsiasi minima informazione.
Ma la regina indiscussa della comunità è Lucia Lucas , moglie di Philip detto Pepino; ammirata, temuta e invidiata è lei il centro e la guida della vita mondana del villaggio, organizzatrice di eventi culturali e pranzi, e, diremmo oggi, influencer e dispensatrice di pareri. A differenza dei suoi sonnolenti vicini, Lucia inoltre a volte si reca a Londra e, anche se fa mostra di denigrare la grande città ritenuta volgare e chiassosa, questo le conferisce una specie di autorità in materia novità mondane.
Lucia sembrerebbe avere una sola rivale, la famosa cantante lirica Olga Bracely, che ha scelto il villaggio come suo ’buen retiro� e gode di molte simpatie tra i vicini, ma che, per fortuna, è spesso all’estero in lunghe tournées.
Ma un giorno nel villaggio si sparge una notizia davvero ghiotta: è morta una vecchia zia di Pepino, lasciando al nipote una non ben quantificata eredità che comprende, tra l’altro, delle famose perle e una casa a Londra.
Mentre si incrociano complicate supposizioni sulla reale entità del lascito, fatalità vuole che Olga rientri definitivamente in patria creando i presupposti per uno scontro fra primedonne.
Ma Lucia e il marito, con perfetto tempismo, lasciano velocemente Riseholme per prendere possesso della nuova casa londinese.
Da questo momento Lucia, dimentica di ogni precedente legame, si getta a capofitto nella vita mondana, decisa a farsi strada nel bel mondo.
A Londra Lucia dispiega al meglio le sue capacità, scalando i gradini della complessa scala sociale con tale determinazione da diventare ben presto oggetto di ammirazione da parte di quegli stessi snob che va emulando.
Lasciando a casa o al circolo il marito, Lucia si tuffa in uno stressante turbinio di mostre, spettacoli teatrali, pranzi e ricevimenti, premurandosi di far sì che ogni sua apparizione venga accuratamente messa in luce nelle apposite rubriche del bon ton sui quotidiani più diffusi.
Tale suo fervore diviene ben presto fonte di critica ma anche di ammirazione, tanto da far nascere il partito dei ‘luciafili�, partito in cui militano tutti coloro che, avvezzi ai complicati maneggi che richiede una vita mondana di gran spessore, sanno riconoscere e apprezzare le sue doti.
A Riseholme intanto gli amici di una volta, offesi e dimenticati, si organizzano inventando ogni sorta di diversivi, si danno a sedute spiritiche, fondano un museo e giocano a golf, ma ogni iniziativa sembra senza sapore se manca lei, Lucia, il soggetto e l’oggetto preferito delle chiacchiere .
Lucia è il prototipo della snob di provincia, brillante, spiritosa, con una infarinatura di cultura sufficiente a farla navigare in qualsiasi ambiente, pronta trarre profitto di ogni opportunità senza troppi scrupoli.
Magari un po� fasulla e affamata di amicizie altolocate, abilissima nella manipolazione delle persone per i propri interessi, ma talmente immedesimata nella parte e determinata nel suo intento, da ispirare ammirazione e anche una sorta di indulgente tenerezza.
Ammirevole nel non perdersi d’animo e per la capacità di imparare dai propri errori , Lucia in fondo è un’eroina positiva, non infierisce e non porta rancore, si limita ad archiviare velocemente ogni successo e insuccesso, pronta a voltare pagina con rinnovato entusiasmo.
A Riseholme i suoi concittadini devono solo attendere che la ruota giri.
Sono stata attirata a leggere questo libro di E.F. Benson, primo tradotto in italiano ma terzo di una saga, dalle critiche erudite e un po� anche dalla bella copertina liberty di Fazi Editore.
E� un libro scorrevole che si legge facilmente, un racconto elegante ma semplice, a volte un po� monocorde, impreziosito dal tipico humor inglese che ne rappresenta il vero filo conduttore e che consente alla narrazione di resistere al passare del tempo. Scritto negli anni trenta, ci descrive un tipo di mondo che esisterà sempre e i cui personaggi sono sempre attuali con ben poche differenze.
Alcuni personaggi sono molto divertenti, a tratti irresistibili, ma in alcuni passaggi la folla di figuranti diventa caotica e, a mio avviso, un po� ridondante.
Edward Frederic Benson (1867 - 1940) apparteneva ad una famiglia speciale: suo padre fu arcivescovo di Canterbury, sua madre Mary Sidgwick , venne definita la donna più intelligente d’Europa.
Dapprima archeologo, si dedicò poi al bird-watching e viaggiò molto, frequentò intellettuali, artisti e noti sportivi del tempo e troviamo molta della sua vita nella sua copiosa produzione letteraria. La saga di Lucia pare si stata ispirata da Marie Corelli, nota scrittrice di bestseller vittoriani e sua buona amica.
È la parola con cui di solito si da inizio alla conversazione, possibilmente ricca di pettegolezzi, a Riseholme, minuscolo e delizioso villaggio elisabettiano non lontano da Londra, abitato da una ristretta comunità di persone benestanti la cui massima preoccupazione è occuparsi di giardinaggio, musica, bridge e, soprattutto, dei fatti degli altri.
Particolarmente brillanti in questa non banale occupazione sono George, un adorabile dandy che, abitando in un villino sulla piazza, gode di una posizione privilegiata, e la sua vicina Daisy, simpatica pasticciona, abilissima nel captare e diffondere qualsiasi minima informazione.
Ma la regina indiscussa della comunità è Lucia Lucas , moglie di Philip detto Pepino; ammirata, temuta e invidiata è lei il centro e la guida della vita mondana del villaggio, organizzatrice di eventi culturali e pranzi, e, diremmo oggi, influencer e dispensatrice di pareri. A differenza dei suoi sonnolenti vicini, Lucia inoltre a volte si reca a Londra e, anche se fa mostra di denigrare la grande città ritenuta volgare e chiassosa, questo le conferisce una specie di autorità in materia novità mondane.
Lucia sembrerebbe avere una sola rivale, la famosa cantante lirica Olga Bracely, che ha scelto il villaggio come suo ’buen retiro� e gode di molte simpatie tra i vicini, ma che, per fortuna, è spesso all’estero in lunghe tournées.
Ma un giorno nel villaggio si sparge una notizia davvero ghiotta: è morta una vecchia zia di Pepino, lasciando al nipote una non ben quantificata eredità che comprende, tra l’altro, delle famose perle e una casa a Londra.
Mentre si incrociano complicate supposizioni sulla reale entità del lascito, fatalità vuole che Olga rientri definitivamente in patria creando i presupposti per uno scontro fra primedonne.
Ma Lucia e il marito, con perfetto tempismo, lasciano velocemente Riseholme per prendere possesso della nuova casa londinese.
Da questo momento Lucia, dimentica di ogni precedente legame, si getta a capofitto nella vita mondana, decisa a farsi strada nel bel mondo.
A Londra Lucia dispiega al meglio le sue capacità, scalando i gradini della complessa scala sociale con tale determinazione da diventare ben presto oggetto di ammirazione da parte di quegli stessi snob che va emulando.
Lasciando a casa o al circolo il marito, Lucia si tuffa in uno stressante turbinio di mostre, spettacoli teatrali, pranzi e ricevimenti, premurandosi di far sì che ogni sua apparizione venga accuratamente messa in luce nelle apposite rubriche del bon ton sui quotidiani più diffusi.
Tale suo fervore diviene ben presto fonte di critica ma anche di ammirazione, tanto da far nascere il partito dei ‘luciafili�, partito in cui militano tutti coloro che, avvezzi ai complicati maneggi che richiede una vita mondana di gran spessore, sanno riconoscere e apprezzare le sue doti.
A Riseholme intanto gli amici di una volta, offesi e dimenticati, si organizzano inventando ogni sorta di diversivi, si danno a sedute spiritiche, fondano un museo e giocano a golf, ma ogni iniziativa sembra senza sapore se manca lei, Lucia, il soggetto e l’oggetto preferito delle chiacchiere .
Lucia è il prototipo della snob di provincia, brillante, spiritosa, con una infarinatura di cultura sufficiente a farla navigare in qualsiasi ambiente, pronta trarre profitto di ogni opportunità senza troppi scrupoli.
Magari un po� fasulla e affamata di amicizie altolocate, abilissima nella manipolazione delle persone per i propri interessi, ma talmente immedesimata nella parte e determinata nel suo intento, da ispirare ammirazione e anche una sorta di indulgente tenerezza.
Ammirevole nel non perdersi d’animo e per la capacità di imparare dai propri errori , Lucia in fondo è un’eroina positiva, non infierisce e non porta rancore, si limita ad archiviare velocemente ogni successo e insuccesso, pronta a voltare pagina con rinnovato entusiasmo.
A Riseholme i suoi concittadini devono solo attendere che la ruota giri.
Sono stata attirata a leggere questo libro di E.F. Benson, primo tradotto in italiano ma terzo di una saga, dalle critiche erudite e un po� anche dalla bella copertina liberty di Fazi Editore.
E� un libro scorrevole che si legge facilmente, un racconto elegante ma semplice, a volte un po� monocorde, impreziosito dal tipico humor inglese che ne rappresenta il vero filo conduttore e che consente alla narrazione di resistere al passare del tempo. Scritto negli anni trenta, ci descrive un tipo di mondo che esisterà sempre e i cui personaggi sono sempre attuali con ben poche differenze.
Alcuni personaggi sono molto divertenti, a tratti irresistibili, ma in alcuni passaggi la folla di figuranti diventa caotica e, a mio avviso, un po� ridondante.
Edward Frederic Benson (1867 - 1940) apparteneva ad una famiglia speciale: suo padre fu arcivescovo di Canterbury, sua madre Mary Sidgwick , venne definita la donna più intelligente d’Europa.
Dapprima archeologo, si dedicò poi al bird-watching e viaggiò molto, frequentò intellettuali, artisti e noti sportivi del tempo e troviamo molta della sua vita nella sua copiosa produzione letteraria. La saga di Lucia pare si stata ispirata da Marie Corelli, nota scrittrice di bestseller vittoriani e sua buona amica.
May 8, 2022
Delicious!
October 25, 2020
This is the third volume in E.F. Benson’s wonderful series of comedic stories about snobbery and one-upmanship in post-WWI England. This review contains very minor spoilers.
In this book Lucia receives a large inheritance, which includes a very nice house in London. Lucia is forced, though you would never know it, to renounce her hatred of London, which she always said was boring compared with her ‘beloved Riseholme�. Lucia throws herself into the London social scene, securing introductions to and then clinging to a variety of socialites and well-known people of the upper classes. These people know what she’s up to but admire her tenacity, her manner, and enjoy her hospitality as she enjoys theirs.
Lucia attends the opera, musical evenings and plays, and spends all her time in a social whirl, not even finding time to practise on her piano.
In Riseholme, meanwhile, Georgie Pillson pines without her and becomes somewhat resentful of Lucia’s neglect of him and her closest set. Partly in revenge for this and partly out of boredom, the villagers set up a new museum without telling her, on the basis that if they told her she would want to be the chairman even though she was in London. This may � or not � become a great success � read the book!
The action, of course, revolves around the social interactions, relationships and scheming of all these people. As ever, it is well-observed and funny, and definitely a tonic for modern living. Read this and you will chuckle and shake your head wryly at the machinations gone through. All good stuff � read the series in order to get the best out of it.
In this book Lucia receives a large inheritance, which includes a very nice house in London. Lucia is forced, though you would never know it, to renounce her hatred of London, which she always said was boring compared with her ‘beloved Riseholme�. Lucia throws herself into the London social scene, securing introductions to and then clinging to a variety of socialites and well-known people of the upper classes. These people know what she’s up to but admire her tenacity, her manner, and enjoy her hospitality as she enjoys theirs.
Lucia attends the opera, musical evenings and plays, and spends all her time in a social whirl, not even finding time to practise on her piano.
In Riseholme, meanwhile, Georgie Pillson pines without her and becomes somewhat resentful of Lucia’s neglect of him and her closest set. Partly in revenge for this and partly out of boredom, the villagers set up a new museum without telling her, on the basis that if they told her she would want to be the chairman even though she was in London. This may � or not � become a great success � read the book!
The action, of course, revolves around the social interactions, relationships and scheming of all these people. As ever, it is well-observed and funny, and definitely a tonic for modern living. Read this and you will chuckle and shake your head wryly at the machinations gone through. All good stuff � read the series in order to get the best out of it.
June 17, 2018
A quanto pare questo è un romanzo che fa parte di una serie. Si immagini Londra, si scelgano gli anni Venti, si capisca che il libro è umoristico, e questo è tutto ciò che vi serve per godervi le avventure di Lucia.
Pregi.
Pregio uno: è umoristico, perbacco! Ogni tanto i libri devono anche far sorridere (e non con malignità per via della cattiva scrittura). Non ci si può sempre occupare di dialoghi sopra i massimi sistemi.
Pregio due: avviso i lettori della recensione che questo è un pregio strano. Come correttamente riporta Nancy Mitford nell'introduzione, la totale assenza della sessualità. Oggi francamente quasi tutti i libri hanno, per vie traverse o per vie dirette, a seconda dell'autore o del pubblico, la sessualità o l'attrazione fisica come elemento. Qui gli amanti sono "per finta", perché danno un certo cachet per citare Lucia. E Georgie, Georgino mio? Oggi lo si stereotipizzerebbe come l'amico omosessuale, perché "fa figo far sembrare di avere la mentalità aperta". Paradossalmente è molto più aperto questo romanzo degli anni Venti, in cui Georgie è semplicemente Georgie. Una persona non definita dalla propria sessualità.100 punti solo per questo.
Difetti.
Difetto uno: certi episodi perdono un po' della loro attrattiva quando sono tirati per le lunghe. La parte sul giardino di Daisy è uno spasso: graffiante, ironica e breve; il museo di Riseholme un po' meno.
Conclusioni.
Vale 15�? Devo dire che è stata una piacevole lettura, quindi li spenderei di nuovo.
Pregi.
Pregio uno: è umoristico, perbacco! Ogni tanto i libri devono anche far sorridere (e non con malignità per via della cattiva scrittura). Non ci si può sempre occupare di dialoghi sopra i massimi sistemi.
Pregio due: avviso i lettori della recensione che questo è un pregio strano. Come correttamente riporta Nancy Mitford nell'introduzione, la totale assenza della sessualità. Oggi francamente quasi tutti i libri hanno, per vie traverse o per vie dirette, a seconda dell'autore o del pubblico, la sessualità o l'attrazione fisica come elemento. Qui gli amanti sono "per finta", perché danno un certo cachet per citare Lucia. E Georgie, Georgino mio? Oggi lo si stereotipizzerebbe come l'amico omosessuale, perché "fa figo far sembrare di avere la mentalità aperta". Paradossalmente è molto più aperto questo romanzo degli anni Venti, in cui Georgie è semplicemente Georgie. Una persona non definita dalla propria sessualità.100 punti solo per questo.
Difetti.
Difetto uno: certi episodi perdono un po' della loro attrattiva quando sono tirati per le lunghe. La parte sul giardino di Daisy è uno spasso: graffiante, ironica e breve; il museo di Riseholme un po' meno.
Conclusioni.
Vale 15�? Devo dire che è stata una piacevole lettura, quindi li spenderei di nuovo.
June 24, 2009
Just found Volume 2 - had all the others but determined to read them in order. In this one, the queen bee of a small southern English country town inherits some money and attempts to take London by storm in a tour de force of overt social climbing that earns her a society of Luciaphils, enthusiastic admirers of her naked audacity. In the course of contrasting city and country life, satirizing popular culture of the 1920s, as well as the encroachment of modernism on traditional aesthetics, a number of topics fly by - the music of "Stravinski" (in which the previously-unknown-to-me adjective "scrannel" gets used), "post-Cubism", Ouija board spiritualism etc - endlessly amusing in its way.
The description of Lucia's embrace of things she once disdained includes this summary of her former views on Stravinsky "...(music)she used to account sheer Bolshevism, producing these scrannel staccato tinklings that had so often made her wince."
The description of Lucia's embrace of things she once disdained includes this summary of her former views on Stravinsky "...(music)she used to account sheer Bolshevism, producing these scrannel staccato tinklings that had so often made her wince."
December 12, 2016
When Peppino’s aunt dies leaving him a quite substantial inheritance including a house at Brompton Square, Lucia’s (so far, a little scornful) opinion of London life and society suddenly reverses and she sets out to conquer. Riseholme in the meanwhile misses her but attempts to prove to themselves and her that they can get along quite well on their own setting up a museum, communing with spirits, and even going golfing, but at the same time keenly following Lucia’s pursuits. Lucia is in her element in this book, applying all her energy and skills to the best. She does falter, of course and makes some faux pas (she even tries cutting Riseholme, but that turns out one of her less fortunate moves). London society finds itself like the reader, forming a group of Luciaphiles which the reader (and Riseholme) has long done, following eagerly (and good naturedly) her every move. Delightful and fun. Four and a half stars.
February 13, 2022
I am falling deeper in love with this series. I originally rated book #1 (Queen Lucia) at four stars. I then rated book #2 (Miss Mapp) at five stars, and adjusted the first book's rating to match it. Now after finishing this third book, all three of them have made it to my "I am in love" shelf.
Another review made the comment that this series is the literary equivalent to Seinfeld, and I couldn't agree more. Seinfeld is a show about nothing (which it actually makes fun of itself for), and that is spot on with this series. It's completely character driven. Seinfeld is my all-time favorite TV show, so my love for this series makes complete sense.
Also, I have never read books before where the author seemed to have so much fun with his characters and was willing to just be silly. I'm not sure how else to describe his writing style, but I have truly fallen in love with it.
Another review made the comment that this series is the literary equivalent to Seinfeld, and I couldn't agree more. Seinfeld is a show about nothing (which it actually makes fun of itself for), and that is spot on with this series. It's completely character driven. Seinfeld is my all-time favorite TV show, so my love for this series makes complete sense.
Also, I have never read books before where the author seemed to have so much fun with his characters and was willing to just be silly. I'm not sure how else to describe his writing style, but I have truly fallen in love with it.
February 25, 2017
Lucia does London: clever chap, that Benson. Recognising the limitations of a provincial milieu, he partially transplants his most shameless creation to London where she can run amuck in society whilst retaining one foot in the other camp [sic] of Riseholme. The touch is surer, defter than in Queen Lucia as there are infinitely more foils for the Lynda Snell of her day's pretension, condescension and scheming, though when she trips, it's further - and funnier - to fall. Ouija boards, pretend affairs, a museum of old tat that meets its deserved fate, fawning over princesses. How much for a pair of old woollen mittens that may (or may not) have belonged to a dead queen consort? These and many other indispensable gems of knowledge can be yours...
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