Miss Mapp Audiobook, by E. F. Benson Play Audiobook Sample

Miss Mapp Audiobook

Miss Mapp Audiobook, by E. F. Benson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Wanda McCaddon Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Mapp and Lucia Series Release Date: January 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481578905

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

13

Longest Chapter Length:

63:58 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

08:39 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

40:59 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

29

Other Audiobooks Written by E. F. Benson: > View All...

Publisher Description

Miss Elizabeth Mapp, magnificent grande dame and heiress, is always on the lookout lest her neighbors fall outside the bounds of perfect, exemplary manners. Opera glasses and notebook in hand, she gazes out her window, ever the vigilant sentinel. But her tightly controlled world is soon beset on all sides by interlopers, first in the disturbingly masculine form of two very different retired army officers—both of whom are anything but retiring in their conflicting aims upon her heart. Second, there appears the elegant, insidiously evil shape of a ravishing Contessa possessed of dazzling charm and diabolical designs. Can Mapp, super-strategist of the drawing room and experienced provocateur of amorous intrigue, overcome all obstacles and be united with the object of her matrimonial desires? Whom could she possibly choose: the solid, traditional Major Flint or the mysteriously attractive Captain Puffin?

This wonderfully humrous satire of British high society introduces one of E. F. Benson's most beloved characters.

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"Miss Mapp is certainly formidable! Benson is a master at helping us see from the participants' perspective the every-woman-for-herself struggle for social standing among the comfortable in a quaint English village in the 1920s. Satirical, clever, and tightly constructed. I have been informed this is part of a larger series called "Mapp and Lucia" and apparently also was a program on British TV. I would expect the other books in the series offer more of the same review of adroit one-upmanship in an emphatically British fashion, if that is your cup of tea, drink up! (These people do entertain me, but they scare me a little too, which perhaps makes them so intriguing: I doubt I could survive a bridge night among them.) Still, as a testimony to just how compelling this writing is, I awoke at 4 am last night and since I couldn't sleep, I started reading more of it. Then when I got tired, and should have gladly returned to Morpehus's arms, I was so involved in the social life of Tilling I made myself stay awake to complete the book. I didn't get the ending that would have pleased me the most, and I've only been half awake all day as a result, but the tale was so well told I couldn't put it down, and I don't regret it."

— Scot (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Without this reissue, I might have gone to my grave without ever knowing about Lucia or Miss Mapp. It is not a risk anyone should take lightly.”

    — New York Times
  • “[Wanda McCaddon] does a hilarious Miss Mapp…When Miss Mapp addresses her most disliked rival as ‘Diva darling,’ you can hear the way her teeth are set and see the awful smile.”

    — AudioFile 

Miss Mapp Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.25 out of 54.25 out of 54.25 out of 54.25 out of 54.25 out of 5 (4.25)
5 Stars: 17
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Ms McCaddon reads this book with great skill - well paced, clear and in an engaging style. All the Lucia and Mapp books by E F Benson are worthwhile in that they present, in a humorous fashion, the foibles, social conflicts, eccentricities and hypocrisies of the Anglican middle class in the early part of the 20th century. It would be a worth project for the other books in this series to be produced as audiobooks and narrated by Ms McCaddon "

    — greg, 10/27/2018
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Miss Mapp is a horrid woman and the society at Tilling is narrow. But the book is utterly fascinating. Food-hoarding. Competitive clothing. It describes the constant struggles for position among the characters, especially Miss Mapp, and the negotiations that can allow bosom enemies to attend the same bridge parties. Wicked, witty, insightful, addictive. "

    — Vivianne, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Introducing Miss Mapp, Lucia's counterpart and soon-to-be nemesis from another village. Lucia isn't in this one, but it sets up the rest of the series beautifully and is hilarious in its own right, of course. "

    — Lorena, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not funny to me. Wish I could find a book that would make me laugh. "

    — pjreads, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was about Miss Mapp and how she would sit in her garden room and watch all the people come and go on the High Street. She was involved in a lot of gossip in making it and also a topic. There were a lot of interesting characters and this author does write with some humor as well. "

    — Connie, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Downloaded this yesterday. This is what I will listen to on the way to and from work. "

    — Wanda, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I am a little embarrassed that I enjoy these silly novels about English village life in the 1920s so much, but it's kind of a relief to read something where nothing very bad ever happens and the characters do things like drink tea and erect elaborate tableaux vivants. A game of bridge, anyone? "

    — Diana, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An absolutely wonderful read; if you like farce and fun, this is the author for you! "

    — Allison, 12/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Entertaining book set in 1930s (I think) England - in a small town. About the quirky characters who live there. It's a little annoying in places but a nice quick read. "

    — Christine, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book introduces the nosy and scheming Miss Mapp and the eccentric inhabitants of Tilling, Quaint Irene being a special favourite of mine. Laugh out loud funny, and beautifully written, a pure pleasure. "

    — Gemma, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Miss Mapp is a character you love to hate. I laughed out loud several times at the antics of "society" in her tiny English village. It was a tonic. I'll be looking for the Mapp and Lucia books next. "

    — Jessica, 8/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Love this a wonderful re-read "

    — Carey, 7/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This series continues to entertain, but the introduction of Miss Mapp, who is a meaner-spirited character than Lucia, was not quite as enjoyable. "

    — Bobbi, 4/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Pure laugh out loud fun. This is the second time I have read it, and there were plenty of fresh laughs. "

    — Carol, 1/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Spotted this on Bettie's list and thought I'd check it out - and it was worth it all right! Amazing cattiness and one-upmanship leads to hilarious consequences. I am definitely looking out for more of this series. My thanks to Bettie! "

    — Esther, 12/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The whole Lucia series is worth reading, but this is my favorite of the Lucia stories. If you can find the video of the first season of Mapp and Lucia, the costumes are wonderful and Geraldine McEwan as Lucia is perfect. "

    — Barbara, 10/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " it's like a book about rachel lynde. "

    — puck, 9/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Set in the fictional town of Tilling (but is really Rye, I recognised it, it's a sweet town), about a group of people who gossip about each other & play bridge. Miss Mapp is a great character, all her neighbours see through her lies but she doesn't realise. "

    — Rita, 7/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the funniest books ever written. I've read it many times. "

    — Karen, 6/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Paula recommended this series to me years ago and it might have been what cemented my love for the nosy and newsy British humor. "

    — Debbie, 6/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An oldie, but very funny "

    — Betty, 5/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I can't think of many things as seamlessly executed as these books. "

    — James, 6/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was unexpectedly, unremittingly hilarious. Seriously, it's up there with Lucky Jim as far as comic novels go--I can't believe it's not more well-known. And it's so modern, too, especially for something written in the 1920's. It reminded me of a funnier, meaner Jane Austen. "

    — Beth, 4/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Love this a wonderful re-read "

    — Carey, 4/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I like the characters but not the plot "

    — Sonja, 6/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Set in the fictional town of Tilling (but is really Rye, I recognised it, it's a sweet town), about a group of people who gossip about each other & play bridge. Miss Mapp is a great character, all her neighbours see through her lies but she doesn't realise. "

    — Rita, 6/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An absolutely wonderful read; if you like farce and fun, this is the author for you! "

    — Allison, 3/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " it's like a book about rachel lynde. "

    — puck, 10/19/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Paula recommended this series to me years ago and it might have been what cemented my love for the nosy and newsy British humor. "

    — Debbie, 8/18/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All books by E.F. Benson are worth reading. The Mapp and Lucia books deal with the minutae of daily life in Tilling, actually Rye, where Benson lived. It is social comedy at it's best. "

    — Jim, 7/21/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I can't think of many things as seamlessly executed as these books. "

    — James, 6/18/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love this series... Although written in the 1920's and '30's, the characters are people we can recognize in our lives today. So funny and wicked and true! I must be on my 10th reading of the entire series. I can't recommend it enough! "

    — Patricia, 4/8/2009

About E. F. Benson

Edward Frederic Benson (1867–1940) was born in Berkshire, England, and educated at Cambridge. He worked in Athens for the British School of Archaeology and later in Egypt for the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies. Benson wrote fiction, reminiscences, and biographies, but is best remembered for his arch satirical novels and his urbane autobiographical studies of Edwardian and Georgian society.

About Wanda McCaddon

Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.