Customer Reviews

Queen Lucia

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are six Lucia novels by author Benson, who set the redoubtable Mrs. Lucas (Lucia, to her friends) first in Riseholme, really Broadway in the Cotswold. "Queen Lucia" is the first of the novels, and really, probably the weakest. Yet, you really can't help but be drawn into this microcosm of gentile upper-middle class English society set between the two World Wars in that frothy time period.

Nothing Lucia does is momentous, and she is an utter snob and pretentious to a nauseating level. Yet, we are captivated by her antics, stupid as they are. Predictably, her striving to be the Social Queen of Riseholme produces some deservedly embarrassing moments (she hires a Guru of dubious repute, for one thing.) But, being Lucia, she surmounts event the worst humiliation with sheer nerve.

The later novels pit Lucia against a far more worthy foe, Miss Mapp of Tilling. Miss Mapp even has her own novel sans Lucia, and the two tangle deliciously in the remaining four novels. If you like "Queen Lucia", you will adore the rest of the series.

Benson was the son of an Archbishop of Cantebury and had brilliant and artistic brothers and sisters. He was the longest-lived of the siblings, and produced many novels and scholarly histories, which sadly are out of print. Only these novels remain of his work, probably the most trivial. Yet the world they create, out of nothing but vanity and snobbish posing, is so captivating that their popularity almost never wanes.

The series contains:

Queen Lucia
Lucia in London
Miss Mapp
Mapp and Lucia
Lucia's Progress/The Worshipful Lucia
Trouble for Lucia

These are perfect escapist novels if you love things like "Masterpiece Theater" or BBC television. Just the thing for a cold winter day and a cup of tea.

It is clear why there are societies devoted to both author E.F. Benson and his six delightful "Mapp and Lucia" novels. Benson became known for this beloved, satirical series which has dry British wit and lightness reminiscent of P.G. Wodehouse (although Wodehouse is in a class by himself), but he was equally superb at ghost/supernatural stories. The fact that he excelled at two vastly different styles and genres is fascinating.

This first book, Queen Lucia, introduces the inimitable Emmeline Lucas (Lucia to her friends), social arbiter and queen of the quaint hamlet of Riseholme, who finds her throne in jeopardy with the arrival of Olga Braceley, an opera singer. No one is better at social satire (and satire of British class systems) than the British and yet these timeless characters and their quirky ambitions are recognizable to anyone. Husband Phillip (known as Peppino) puts out his own printing press. There is Lucia's foppish neighbor and best friend, Georgie Pillson, who keeps her current in gossip, joins her at the piano in classical duets and converses with her in smatterings of bad Italian and baby talk; neighbor Daisy Quantock who ruffles Lucia's fur by introducing a "Guru" to the community and igniting yoga fever; and other colorful characters. From the beginning, I was laughing out loud at humor that is dry, absurd and priceless.

This series was also brought brilliantly to life by a PBS TV series "Mapp and Lucia" in which Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan star, both women terrific. Like the books, the series had me laughing out loud.

The first and fourth books are the best, but highly recommend reading them all. Humor is a great tonic.

But it absolutely repays repeated visits, as well. E. F. Benson, the probably homosexual son of a Victorian Archbishop of Canterbury and a noted lesbian, has a marvelous eye for the inter-war social scene in Upper Middle-Class England.

This is the first book of the series, where we meet Lucia and her redoubtable aide-de-camp the utterly charming Georgie. The first chapter is probably the slowest in the whole series--it takes a while to introduce these improbably horrid people

And they are--for the most part--truly horrid. Benson's gift is in making it quite clear he loves these ghastly people, and by the end of the book so do we. What is worse (or better) is recognizing one's friends in the characters of the book. Even more shocking, this reader will at times recognize traits of his own (I won't share which character I think I am most like). Human nature is less changing than we like to think in these early years of the twenty-first century.

Benson lovingly skewers the foible of his own age and does so with a slice of society no larger than any portrayed by Jane Austen. His eye is as keenly observant as hers, but his humor much more developed.

A certain level of sophistication makes these books more enjoyable, but there is something for anyone who enjoys a good read. There is nothing in here that would make the even the most prudish blush, but they are definitely for an adult taste.

And the other 2 are also by Benson ... well, tied with Toole's "Confedearcy of Dunces" and Keenan's "Blue Heaven."

There's a slow start with the first chapter--Benson's humour is entirely character-based, so you needs must meet the character before the jokes can begin--but once they begin, they don't let up.

Luckily (because you'll want more, more more after this book) there are others in the series. This first book sets the pattern: wealthy, intellectually-pretentious, English housewife Lucia wants to be thought of as the exemplar of good/interesting taste, and will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. The characters are all frightfully interested in the most trivial things, and it's screamingly funny.

If you like Benson, try Beverley Nichols (oh, and do read the other two funniest novels ever written, mentioned above--you owe it to yourself.)

Note: a 3 star ranking from me is actually pretty good; I reserve 4 stars for tremendously good works, and 5 only for the rare few that are or ought to be classic; unfortunately most books published are 2 or less.

Since the other reviews here relate to the printed version of the E.F. Benson book, I thought I'd chime in with a review that is specific to this CD version read by Geraldine McEwan.

McEwan starred as Lucia in the delightful "Mapp and Lucia" series in the mid-1980s. It's out on DVD now and I highly recommend you snatch it up immediately before it goes out of print. It's one of the very best British comedies ever.

In the series, McEwan establishes what I consider to be the definitive version of Lucia. She is so delightful that as soon as I found out her readings of two of the Lucia books had also been recorded, I bought them -- although I had never purchased books on tape/CD before.

Suffice it so say, I was not disappointed. McEwan is a wonderful reader who brings out all the wit of the books, and I can't stress enough how marvelous it is to hear her once again using her "Lucia voice."

This has my highest recommendation.

And proud of it...
I began this series because of recommendations from those who enjoyed Wodehouse. Although It's much dryer in the humor department than Wodehouse, the series is lovely and possesses that crisp hard edged satire that only Brits seem to be able to master. His skewering is principally focused on a narcissist who, despite her braggart ways, you can't take your eyes off and wouldn't want to live without. I've read all six in short succession, and I do agree with most reviewers that the final three are his strongest. I am sorry that we are left with only the six novels, but at least we have those. Long live Lucia!

Mrs Lucas is Lucia, Queen of the tiny (but culturally important) village of Riseholme. From her villa she dispenses wisdom, dominates the cultural life and makes pronouncements all all things. She has able lieutenants in her almost invisible husband and Georgie. She is truly a Queen and she acts regally, pompously and somewhat ignorantly which is all good fun for us readers.

The novel is told from the shared viewpoints of Lucia, Georgie and Mrs Quantock (Lucia's sometime rival). Their competitiveness and the machinations which go on to dominate the village make hilarious reading - who would think that so much would go on in such a tiny place. First there is the great excitement of the arrival of Daisy Quantock's Guru and Lucia's machiavellian schemes to annex him. Next is the arrival of the singer Olga Bracely - for whom Lucia insists on dispensing good cultural advice - and finally the incident of Russian Princess Popoffski (also spiritualist) who causes competition among the two village rivals.

There is a remarkable likeness in this novel to Jane Austen's village life in 'Emma' - in fact Lucia could very easily be Mrs Elton with her pseudo-Italian, Caro Sposo's and faux-musicality. There is even an unwed Mrs Weston who finds true love in this novel.

The whole novel is set in the small almost clautrophobic village life of Riseholme which provides a marvellous microcosm to display each characters glorious strengths and equally hilarious weaknesses. Benson has such a light touch that it is easy to love Lucia for her arrogance. If you like Austen, Mitford or even Jilly Cooper you will really enjoy Benson. Highly recommended!

Mrs Emmeline Lucas, known in her community as Lucia, "reigns supreme over the affairs of Riseholme". Riseholme is a one main street village in rural England in the year 1920. The "affairs of Riseholme" involve leisured eccentrics who devote their energies and time to the favorite pastimes, hobbies, fads and fancies of the day. It is Lucia's role as leader to take responsibility for heightening an awareness and questing for greater cultural richness. Not that she admits to this, even to herself. "You all work me to death," she usually says, when a new opportunity for leading a crusade or instigating a new field of cultural endeavor presents itself.

Of course, Lucia's stance provokes great rivalry. Riseholmeites do not so much relate to each other as try to put each other down. Many are put down, and many fall down when they tread on those metaphorical banana skins that fate seems to spread before those who are absurdly over-ambitious

Using this material, E F Benson, begins an inter-related series of novels with this one in 1920. He devises an almost mock-heroic quality in the telling of his tale. Benson makes us aware that no great legendary conqueror gave as much thought and weight to the planning of a military conquest as do the Riseholmeites to the consideration of who to invite for afternoon tea.

The result is gentle satire and great fun from beginning to end. Not a day, not an hour, passes in Riseholme without plots being hatched, news being sought, and allegiances being formed.

I don't recommend that you present this book as a gift to you football-playing, beer-swilling, macho male friends and relations. It is for those who enjoy the word spinning of an Oscar Wilde, mixed with the sophistication of a Noel Coward.

English actress Geraldine McEwan, who played the role of Lucia in a TV mini-series based on this series of books, has recorded this and others in the series in audio book format. With her sharp, silvery voice and incisive delivery, she makes Lucia and the people of Roseholme unforgettable.

If you can imagine TV's Aaron Spelling writing his brand of witty and campy fun in an English town in the 1920s & 30s, then you can imagine Benson's Lucia series. I'd often heard how great the series was, and finally got around to reading the first book. What a delight! It's been ages since I've read a book that simply glided off the page. Lucia is the center of Riseholme's cultural life, and without her, life just couldn't be the same, right? With her husband Peppino, and her sidekick Georgie (so repressed he's nearly an origami flamingo), Lucia controls the fads and fashions of Riseholme. When a diva opera singer moves into town, Lucia finds herself knocked off her throne, and all but declares war on the upstart. Full of devious gossip and fascinating characters, this story is wonderfully enjoyable, as well as incredibly intelligent in its rendering of small town life. I can hardly wait to read the entire series, or see the "Mapp and Lucia" miniseries.

I was turned on to these wonderful books by a friend of mine who is completely Georgie! Read the book, you'll know who I mean. Every single one is an absolute jewel--I loved it from the beginning and have not been disappointed in the least with the subsequent novels. Please try them--they are well worth your reading time!