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igru23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Shame on me... for only discovering this book because of a BBC mini-series. How did I never hear of this 20th century classic? Every bit as witty and nuanced as my favourite classics, this is readable, relatable and a read to relish (to continue the alliteration).
A comedy of manners, of gossip and of one-up-womanship, it concerns a small English village in the 1930s and its residents. And a new addition to the town who stirs up interest and tension as her rivalry with the current social Queen instantly starts a series of escalating comic escapades. Lucia refuses to allow Elizabeth Mapp, who rents her the home she stays in for the season, to dominate her from the offset, to the great delight of both her neighbours and us as readers.
There is a fantastic selection of characters to enjoy here, all minor and not as well-developed as Lucia and the controlling Miss Mapp but each adding to the close feel of the village and the small social world of Tilling. Pretensions are exposed, faux pas are gossiped about, and a huge amount of dinner parties are attended.
Adored this from start to finish, and may seek out the other titles in the series. Not as outrightly funny as Wodehouse, not as obviously witty as Austen, but still funny and witty in its own right. Just right for someone looking for a light read that will keep them smiling wryly and shaking their heads at some outrageously underhand females trying to win the social war.
A comedy of manners, of gossip and of one-up-womanship, it concerns a small English village in the 1930s and its residents. And a new addition to the town who stirs up interest and tension as her rivalry with the current social Queen instantly starts a series of escalating comic escapades. Lucia refuses to allow Elizabeth Mapp, who rents her the home she stays in for the season, to dominate her from the offset, to the great delight of both her neighbours and us as readers.
There is a fantastic selection of characters to enjoy here, all minor and not as well-developed as Lucia and the controlling Miss Mapp but each adding to the close feel of the village and the small social world of Tilling. Pretensions are exposed, faux pas are gossiped about, and a huge amount of dinner parties are attended.
Adored this from start to finish, and may seek out the other titles in the series. Not as outrightly funny as Wodehouse, not as obviously witty as Austen, but still funny and witty in its own right. Just right for someone looking for a light read that will keep them smiling wryly and shaking their heads at some outrageously underhand females trying to win the social war.
anouk_adriana's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
haylie23's review against another edition
3.0
To not beat around the bush, this book took a while for me to get into which is probably due to the writing style - a lot more polished and refined to reflect the 20/30s than other books I've read. Having said that once you've got through the first couple of chapters and Lucia is firmly residing in Tilling, the story picks up. There is a pointed humour in the actions of the characters and it's enjoyable to read about the social battles between Mapp and Lucia - while a lot of jokes are repeated, it does not lower the humour of the story. The plot does eventually become predictable until nearer the end - even then the improbable is still possible. I did not know until I started reading this book that it is part of a series but this did not hinder my enjoyment or understanding of the book. To sum up: very funny, strong characters and detailed descriptions.
mikewa14's review against another edition
5.0
http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/mapp-and-lucia-e-f-benson.html
jadziadax's review against another edition
5.0
*chants "fight fight"*
also georgie you have my heart i'd lavender marry you
also georgie you have my heart i'd lavender marry you
kategci's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this for one of my book groups as we had been reading very heavy, intense books and we needed something lighter. We meet next week so I'll learn then what everybody else thinks, but I think it fit the bill perfectly. Set small town England in the 1930s, Lucia who is coming out of mourning, decides to vacation in a nearby small town. Bringing her close friend and confidante, George, Lucia enters Tilling and quickly becomes the center of attention. Much to the chagrin of Miss Elizabeth Mapp who has been ruling the social aspect of Tilling for years, Lucia quickly becomes beloved. Their rivalry is funny and enjoyable! This book was perfect to read between the heavier, weightier books that I usually read and enjoy.
mrswythe89's review against another edition
3.0
Quick, fun read; pretty much what I expected from the description on the back. You can see at the same time why Auden was a fan and why it isn't that famous any more. It's sharp and clever and occasionally kind, but the characters aren't really vivid or lovable enough, or the prose quite brilliant enough, for it to be a really lasting classic. (Compare Saki, whose every sentence is a perfectly-constructed delight; Wodehouse ditto. Wodehouse's characters aren't any more well-rounded, but his writing is a lot more, mm, deathlessly characteristic.)
Was touched by the part where Lucia rings Georgie and he weeps, but not because he has thus been deprived of his inheritance. Awww. I would prolly love this book passionately if there had been more moments like that, but there's a sort of basic lack of seriousness about the characters -- I mean, it's a decent book. I'd read other Lucia books if I could find them. But it needs something more.
Was touched by the part where Lucia rings Georgie and he weeps, but not because he has thus been deprived of his inheritance. Awww. I would prolly love this book passionately if there had been more moments like that, but there's a sort of basic lack of seriousness about the characters -- I mean, it's a decent book. I'd read other Lucia books if I could find them. But it needs something more.