Bright Young Things discussion

^ I've yet to have the pleasure of reading, or indeed watching, any Mapp and Lucia.


I'm guessing I should put that right before much longer?

^ I'm all for a comic examination of pretension, manners, class and snobbery. Shades of the wonderful P.G. Wodehouse perhaps?

^ I would say it's worth another bash with PG, that said I am a confirmed Wodehousian and revel in the man’s comedic genius. I have read numerous books by the great man and all, to one degree or another, are a delight.

I agree with Philip, they are very addictive!
A great way to get started is to find an inexpensive volume that collects them together. That will allow you to read them chronologically and will prevent withdrawal because you will have the next one as soon as you finish the first!
If you can't find an inexpensive collection, I would start with "Queen Lucia" from 1920.

Philip wrote: "You will have to recommend me one."


Wodehouse published over a hundred books, most of which are still in print.

Some of the best Jeeves and Wooster novels and collections include The Code of the Woosters, Thank You, Jeeves and Joy in the Morning

I slightly prefer the Lord Emsworth books and can heartily recommend Summer Lightning and Heavy Weather

One of his earliest creations was a character called Psmith, and Mike and Psmith and Psmith in the City are fab. Leave It to Psmith made me roar with laughter - I think it's the first book in which we meet Lord Emsworth (see above).

I hope that helps.

^ Hurrah - I hope you like it

Philip wrote: "As the BBC is due to show another adaptation of the fantastic Mapp and Lucia...."

Monday 29th December 2014 @ 9:05 pm on BBC One...

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/dbc...

ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
1/3. New series. Miss Elizabeth Mapp reigns supreme in the picturesque town of Tilling, and has even more reason to gloat than usual when she lets her house for the summer to a very desirable tenant - Mrs Emmeline Lucas, known to her friends as Lucia. However, when the newcomer proves more popular with the locals than expected, Mapp is left out in the cold, leading to a constant battle for supremacy over bridge parties, garden fetes, art competitions and even the odd yoga class. Period comedy, starring Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor. Written by co-star Steve Pemberton, based on the comic novels by EF Benson. Continues tomorrow.

^ I watched the first episode earlier this evening and very enjoyable it was too. After a slow burn first 30 minutes things came to the boil wonderfully.

Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor are superb as the eponymous leads.

I hadn't realised it was going to feature a couple of League of Gentlemen alumni however that's no surprise as Steve Pemberton wrote it, and he has roped in his old pal Mark Gatiss. It's on again tomorrow and on New Years Eve and I have high hopes that there's plenty more to come.

^ I'll be interested to read your reaction Philip as you are a fan and so able to offer a more informed commentary.


I am really looking forward to part two tonight.

Philip wrote: "Au reservoir!"


^ You'll be hearing plenty of that

:-))

A rollickingly good second episode of Mapp and Lucia last night


I convinced a sceptical, reluctant Mrs B to partake and she was similarly amused and engaged. It really is very good and highly recommended to all BYTers.

Bring on the final episode tonight.

IPlayer link for episode 2...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...

(on for the next 28 days)

And here's five things the Daily Mirror loved about episode one...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/ma...

I'll be a naysayer and say that I was disappointed by the first episode, which to me wasn't a patch on the books - it was slow to get going and I didn't think Anna Chancellor was very good as Lucia.

I wasn't sure whether to bother with the other episodes, but maybe I'll give them a look. Philip, my mother has said just the same about the 1985 version, so between you you've convinced me that I must get hold of that one!

^ Thanks Judy - that's very interesting particularly your assertion that it wasn't a patch on the books. I'm going to have to read one of the books. Should I start with the first one? I can't see me reading them all so would rather go in with one of the best. With that in mind, where should I start?

I really enjoyed all three of the TV adaptations. I also thought Anna Chancellor and Miranda Richardson, and indeed the supporting cast, were all excellent. Undemanding, amusing, well made seasonal televisual fare.

Philip wrote: "I strongly suggest you get the 1985 version, which is 12 episodes, I think. It allows some of the supporting characters to be developed a little more (like Quaint Irene, who has barely said a word in this one). "

I hear ya Philip. If I enjoy a book or two I may well invest in a DVD of the original TV series too. Same question to you as to Judy...

I can't see me reading all the books so would rather start with one of the best. With that in mind, what would you recommend?

Having nominated Lucia in London for our March 2015 fiction read, I noticed that the entire series of books is available on Kindle in the US and UK at a bargain price...


$1.54 here
£0.99 here

This edition contains....

Queen Lucia, Miss Mapp, The Male Impersonator, Lucia in London, Mapp and Lucia, Lucia's Progress, and Trouble for Lucia

Nigeyb, I'm hoping Philip will respond to your question, because to be honest all the books have blurred together in my mind, as it is some years since I read them! I just remembered that they were much funnier than the first episode of the series seemed to me.

But anyway, I see you have nominated 'Lucia in London', so that could be a good place to start.

^ I'm hoping so too Judy.


Someone else on GR recommended Lucia in London and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive so it looks like a very safe bet.

By chance I just read a new review of Lucia in London (yet another five star review) from GR friend Roger...


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The novels, in chronological order, are:



Queen Lucia (1920)
Miss Mapp (1922)
Lucia in London (1927)
Mapp and Lucia (1931)
Lucia's Progress (1935) (published in the U.S. as Trouble for Lucia (1939)

There are also five other books based on the same characters written by other authors.

Tom Holt wrote two sequels, published by Macmillan and Black Swan, which are written in a style and esprit of the originals. They are:

Lucia in Wartime (1985)
Lucia Triumphant (1986)

Guy Fraser-Sampson has written three additional novels the first published by Troubador, the second and third by Elliott and Thompson Ltd:

Major Benjy (2008)

In the chronology of the novels set in Tilling this sits between Miss Mapp and Mapp and Lucia. The writing is in a more contemporary style than Benson and Holt's while retaining the typical plot devices of the earlier books. The book contains a number of minor character errors. There is however a delicious cake baking episode which is entirely in the spirit of the original novels.

Lucia on Holiday (2012)
Au Reservoir: A new Mapp and Lucia novel (2014)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapp_and...

^ What are the books by the other writers like?

^ Splendid. Thanks Philip. I now have all six of the original books on my kindle so will be reading at least one and - if suitably inspired - all six and then perhaps onto the ones by Guy Fraser-Sampson and Tom Holt.

#exciting times

B+ for the TV series sounds about right. I have nothing with which to compare and contrast but thoroughly enjoyed it. Anyone know where it was filmed?

^ Thanks Philip. I've not been to Rye for many years but thought it looked delightful on the TV adaptation - must revisit soon. Amazing that they used EF Benson's actual house. I shall go and visit whilst I'm there.

Philip wrote: "The setting was the true setting, which is Rye. EF Benson lived in what was Mapp's house. They used the actual house in this filming."

Here is a link to some information about the house:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lamb-...

^ Wonderful stuff Val. As a man with a family membership for the National Trust I shall be dragging all of the family along to sample the pleasures of Lamb House sometime in 2015. How exciting. And Henry James too! Gets better and better.

Interesting reading all the comments here, as I've been having much the same conversation in an email group I belong to - i.e. if you've read the books or seen the earlier adaptation this present one could be a slight disappointment, but if this is your first taste of Mapp & Lucia you're likely to have found it very enjoyable.

I fall into the latter camp and really did enjoy all three episodes.

^ Great news. Thanks for the update Philip. Glad you enjoyed it and, yes, I'd agree that the plots can be somewhat coincidence laden.

I've just finished Queen Lucia (1920) by E.F. Benson which finally triumphed in the April BYT fiction group read poll.

It's very good and I recommend it.

An easy read that perfectly captures the social order of 1920s England for those fortunate few who had sufficient money not to work. I am looking forward to our discussion in April, and and I look forward to reading the rest of E.F. Benson's Mapp & Lucia novels.

Thanks Philip for encouraging me to try E.F. Benson's Mapp & Lucia novels..

Click here to read my review of "Queen Lucia".

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield has been on my list of books to read for many a moon. I must get round to it soon.

A quick search of the discussion posts here at BYT suggests we have never read it or discussed it.

It's a Penguin Classic now too....

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...

^ Ah. Thanks Val. I'd be up for reading it. I might renominate it soon and see what happens. It seems a very obvious BYT group read.

A little bit neglected I feel,but do try and find a copy of EF Benson's Collected Ghost Stories, well worth the read.

Thanks David

Will have a look for a copy, thanks for this David.

Roisin wrote: "Will have a look for a copy, thanks for this David."

You are very welcome.