The Complete Mapp and Lucia, Volume 2

Mapp and Lucia, Lucia's Progress, and Trouble for Lucia

By: E. F. Benson

Narrated by: Georgina Sutton

Sharply observant and wickedly funny, E.F. Benson's six Mapp and Lucia novels satirize the upper-middle-class social climbers in 1920s and '30s rural England. Games of bridge and cups of tea fuel hilarious gossip and vindictive plots a-plenty. It is a masterfully sustained spotlight on the minutiae of village life - a clever and ultimately heartwarming series that seems tailor-made for audio. This second volume contains the second three books.

Mapp and Lucia: When Lucia goes to stay in Tilling, Miss Mapp's social pedestal starts to wobble. Far from falling into line as Miss Mapp expects, Lucia soon maneuvers herself - via dinners, luncheons, and games of bridge - into a position of control. Behind a facade of exaggerated manners, the gloves are off!

Lucia's Progress: Lucia's 50th birthday is approaching, and she is determined to give her life more meaning. From rumors of pregnancy and Roman remains to Tilling's Town Council elections, renewed rivalry between Lucia and Elizabeth Mapp-Flint (who has married Major Benjy) ripples irresistibly through the novel with many a laugh-out-loud moment.

Trouble for Lucia: Lucia is now rich, happily married, and mayor of Tilling - but the village gossip is in full swing, and Lucia's arch-rival Elizabeth is out for revenge. Will Lucia fall at the final hurdle?

Delightfully witty and shamelessly entertaining, this is a fitting finale to the series - E.F. Benson's au reservoir!

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2021 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2021 Naxos Audiobooks

Fabulous and laugh out loud

Wonderfully stiff and formal language combines hilariously with the excruciating minutiae of life in semi-rural England between the wars. With one exception into London, the characters make Alpine Peaks out of the molehills of village life. Exquisite.

I Don't Usually Blow Through a Series, But...

...I couldn't help myself this time. I find the foibles and follies of Mapp, Lucia, Georgie, Diva and the rest of Tilling's upper crust just as addictive as they do. Partly because, just as you're ready to dismiss Lucia as a heartless, self-centered fraud (which she is), Benson has her do something helpful, thoughtful and even ocassionally honest. And, of course, watching her wiggle out of all the tangled webs she weaves is endlessly entertaining -- especially the last one. Georgiana Sutton was the perfect choice behind the mic.

Poor narrator’s pronunciation with impo words.

Glad to have all the Benson M&L books in one place, but wish the narrator’s pronunciation was so jarring on words like Riseholme which was quite distracting.

Such perfection

Absolutely adore having the complete Mapp and Lucia (in two volumes) on audiobook (50+ hours worth).

I would dearly love to hear recordings of some of the prequels, sequels and other excellent fanfic (Tom Holt, Guy Fraser-Sampson, Hugh Ashton, etc.) made available.

Oh, do Audible, do!

Au Reservoir

Always sad to finish the romp that is Benson’s work , a happy, welcome break from the dreary woes of our lackluster day. Instantly relatable , we all have a bit of Miss Mapp and dear Lucia in us - their foibles, nearly a century on, are our foibles , just more charming , more amusing and in spite of their triviality , enthralling.
Will listen once again , most likely next Autumn for their escapades seem best by fireside .