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A review by katykelly
Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson
4.0
I listened to the audiobook, a lovely way to read Benson, with the wonderful Geraldine McEwan making a perfect Lucia.
I've not long ago read Mapp and Lucia, as well as watched the BBC's fabulous adaptation at Christmas, and so some of the story seemed very familiar from those sources.
In 1920, social queen bee Emmeline Lucus (known as Lucia to all) rules the roost of al that happens in the village of Riseholme. This is one of a series about Lucia (and later Elizabeth Mapp), detailing the small misadventures of her and her social circle, with the backbiting, social climbing and posturing that makes these a pleasure to read.
I love this series, though they do all feel very much on a similar vein. The minor characters all get little roles to play, with Lucia and Georgie (and here Lucia's husband Papino) taking the lion's share of the story, humour and enjoyment. There were a few phrases that made me think "that sounds like Pride and Prejudice", and I wondered if Austen's language served as a model. Lucia is such a contradiction - scheming, smart, condescending, goodness itself.
She's a pleasure to visit with. And to laugh at.
This was a very amusing way to pass a few hours, and an author that deserves more recognition - he's very funny. I'll be looking for more in the series.
I've not long ago read Mapp and Lucia, as well as watched the BBC's fabulous adaptation at Christmas, and so some of the story seemed very familiar from those sources.
In 1920, social queen bee Emmeline Lucus (known as Lucia to all) rules the roost of al that happens in the village of Riseholme. This is one of a series about Lucia (and later Elizabeth Mapp), detailing the small misadventures of her and her social circle, with the backbiting, social climbing and posturing that makes these a pleasure to read.
I love this series, though they do all feel very much on a similar vein. The minor characters all get little roles to play, with Lucia and Georgie (and here Lucia's husband Papino) taking the lion's share of the story, humour and enjoyment. There were a few phrases that made me think "that sounds like Pride and Prejudice", and I wondered if Austen's language served as a model. Lucia is such a contradiction - scheming, smart, condescending, goodness itself.
She's a pleasure to visit with. And to laugh at.
This was a very amusing way to pass a few hours, and an author that deserves more recognition - he's very funny. I'll be looking for more in the series.