La señorita Mapp

Very well written, quite hilarious tale of a small town (based on Rye), the gossip, feuds, put-downs and efforts at one-upmanship by its residents.
Queen of them is Miss Mapp, who spends her time spying on the neighbours and finding out their every doing- sometimes quite incorrectly.
Benson's turns of phrase are just superb: as the servants hasten to discuss their betters' antics : "She gleaned the information that Mrs Dominic's employer (for master he could not be called) had gone off in a great hurry to the station.."
Superb. ( )

Hilarious episodes about the goings-on in early twentieth-century Tilling, a respectable English village. The title character, Miss Mapp, relentlessly spies from the bow window in her garden room to keep up on her neighbors as they make their rounds. All are ceaselessly busy, as is Miss Mapp, minding each others’ business. That, along with golf, bridge, and supper parties, leaves them no time to do anything else.
Underlying Benson’s humor is the sad reality that beneath the respectable facade, the same human nature seethes as in the hottest war zone. Despite this unsettling insight, I’ll probably read more of the Mapp and Lucia books. ( )

This is the second book in Benson's Mapp & Lucia series ans is another charming book of manners set in the provincial seaside town of Tilling in England. Miss Elizabeth Mapp is a well-off woman of a certain age, who sits in her garden window every morning observing the comings and goings of what she thinks of as her kingdom. And keeping control of the cast of characters in this village is quite a chore. She is constantly in a contest with Godiva "Diva" Plaistow over who is most au courrant on the latest news and who can dress with the most flair. And what about Captain Puffin and Major Flint They are constant companions spending their evenings sipping whiskey and discussing England's Roman roads. Shouldn't they be paying attention to her? And who will meet the Prince of Wales when he stops in the village to play golf? And when the Countess arrives from Italy - oh my goodness! - what will happen now?

Written almost 100 years ago, these characters are recognizable to anyone who lives in a small town today. This is a perfect escapist read for today's troubled times. ( )

Tending to the hoard
dragon in a crimson gown
no gold, just gossip. ( )

I don't understand why I love the residents of Riseholme and Tilling so much. They really are the most vapid, conniving, hidebound, silly snobs you could ever imagine, and Lucia and Miss Mapp are the worst of the bunch. And yet, when they do occasionally get their comeuppance, I can't help but feel a pang. And I'm always eager to read more. ( )