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Queen Lucia Audiobook
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(3.57) - 57 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
England between the wars was a paradise of calm and leisure for the very, very rich. Into this enclave is born Mrs. Emmeline Lucas—La Lucia, as she is known—a woman determined to lead a life quite different from the subdued formality of her class.
With her cohort, Georgie Pillson, and her husband, Peppino, Lucia upends the greats of high society: the imperious Lady Ambermere and her equally imperious dog, Pug; the odious Piggy and Goosie Antrobus; the Christian Scientist Daisy Quantrock, with her penchant for the foreign; and all the rest of the small English town that the British rich call their country home. Beset on all sides by pretenders to her social throne, Lucia brings culture, fine art, excitement, and intrigue into this cloistered realm.
Told with his usual dry British wit, E. F. Benson gives us the first tale in his classic Mapp and Lucia series.
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"Re-reading an old favourite - E.F. Benson's wicked - and very British - sense of humour shines through as he describes the plots and machinations of Emmeline Lucas, "Lucia" of the fictional village of Riseholme. "
— Michele (5 out of 5 stars)
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“An altogether satisfying entertainment; full of humorous situations, sparkling with wholesome wit.”
— Times Literary Supplement (London) -
“These fingers have written many accolades about the voice and interpretations of Nadia May, but they are tingling with pleasure at her rendition of E. F. Benson’s characters in the English town of Riseholme…Such fun does Nadia May have with the stylized characters that the listener actually lives there and is part of the silly rituals of the ’30s…Her delight in reading this novel is directly transmitted to the lucky listener.”
— AudioFile -
“[The narrator’s] British accent and richly condescending tone are just right for Queen Lucia…She breathes the personality of the wealthy Lucia into each sentence.”
— Media -
“Benson…is best remembered for his series of Lucia novels, delicious satires of the pretensions and foibles of provincial middle-class life in Britain in the 1920s and ’30s…Queen Lucia, the first in the series, follows Mrs. Lucas (Lucia to her most intimate friends) through a lengthy and often hilarious campaign to derail the career of a would-be rival to the throne of cultural arbiter.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Queen Lucia Listener Reviews
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greg, 9/2/2021
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" Brilliant and hilarious. I have a feeling the ship will hit the fanny soon, and I am looking forward to it. "
— Cara, 2/15/2014 -
" I got a bunch of British farce from the library in hopes of finding some entertaining stuff that's still decent. I can see the farce here, but so far it falls flat. "
— Eileen, 2/2/2014 -
" This book is similar to Miss Mapp, by the same author. A satire on early 20th century English society. "
— Claudia, 1/31/2014 -
" A light, quick read! Benson writes light-hearted humor set in England between the wars. Lucia's world is reminiscent of Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster, but without Jeeves' cleverness. The characters in Queen Lucia are droll and hilarious as they put on airs and meddle in small-town life. The implied author / narrator has a condescending tone that is at times quite funny and at other times a bit annoying. "
— Jodi, 1/31/2014 -
" This book was a delight. It is a cattier, more gossipy version of Jane Austen novels. No subtlety here and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. "
— Diane, 1/14/2014 -
" so well written, found my self laughing out loud in parts, great characters "
— Amy, 1/9/2014 -
" A diffferent time, a different way of life, but people are the same as today. Benson can produce interesting characters and bring them into full bloom. Enjoyable read. "
— Dan, 12/23/2013 -
" Read this for my book club. Some parts were entertaining, however, I felt it was mostly a waste of my time. "
— Deelia, 12/12/2013 -
" Read all 6 of these! They are hysterical! I read them all ages ago but had my memory jogged recently. They stand up under numerous readings. "
— Debbie, 12/9/2013 -
" I really didn't read this. It's a comedy of vapid, self-absorbed english women around the turn of the century. "
— reed, 11/27/2013 -
" I think if you like Alexander McCall Smith you'll like E F Benson. "
— Caroline, 1/25/2013 -
" I love the characters - specially Georgie who is a bit of a poof... "
— Alison, 1/24/2012 -
" This book, recommended as "just like Wodehouse", turned out to be as much like Wodehouse as the fluid given Arthur Dent when he asked the Nutrimatic Drinks Dispenser for tea. Which is to say- not my cuppa. "
— melody, 11/20/2011 -
" The characters were far more interesting then the plot. A fun quick read. "
— Melissa, 10/9/2011 -
" I love the Lucia series by E.F. Benson. I'm now reading the series for the 7th time. "
— Irina, 7/30/2011 -
" What started as funny soon became "tarsome" ... the shallow competition of these villagers. Lucia drove me nuts. Georgie was the only redeeming character of the lot. "
— Maria, 5/24/2011 -
" Quite amusing tale of life in a small English village. I especially enjoyed all of the adventures of Mrs. Quantock. I'm looking forward to reading the other six books. "
— Diana, 5/15/2011 -
" So much fun. I love the guru who turns out to be a curry cook. This could still happen. "
— Amber, 5/8/2011 -
" These books are a lot of fun. "
— Meg, 4/10/2011 -
" This book is similar to Miss Mapp, by the same author. A satire on early 20th century English society. "
— Claudia, 1/15/2011 -
" A bit of a change of pace for me. Really enjoyed this comedy of manners and inveterate snobbery of the English middle classes between the 2 world wars. "
— Blysse, 12/19/2010 -
" I had a hard time sticking with this book. Guess it's the British humor that I don't care for. I didn't find it funny at all. In fact, I think I spent a good deal of the time rolling my eyes. Needless to say I won't be looking to read any of the others in this series. "
— Theresa, 11/25/2010 -
" Quircky, smart, and very funny. Just starting the next book in "The Make Way for Lucia" series. "
— Patty, 11/14/2010 -
" This old book about small town social climbers is supposed to be funny, but it didn't really entertain me much. "
— Shannon, 11/11/2010 -
" I loved all the Lucia books - and even more so when I re-read. "
— Lane, 9/27/2010 -
" I really didn't read this. It's a comedy of vapid, self-absorbed english women around the turn of the century. "
— reed, 6/28/2010 -
" I would hate to meet Lucia, it's annoying when she talks in baby talk. Amusing story though. Lucia thinks she's the Queen Bee but she isn't perfect. "
— Rita, 6/4/2010
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.