Trouble for Lucia

pick

It's with a certain sadness I finish the last of Benson's Lucia novels, not for the finishing itself as I can, and will, re-read them, but because the intimations of growth I thought I saw in Lucia's character in the previous two books came to naught.
If Olga Bracely and Miss Mapp represent the better and worse aspects of Lucia's character, then, like Georgie, I'm more attracted to her in the former, and repelled by her in the latter mode. 👇🏼

Bookwomble Crediting Benson with knowing what he was doing, Lucia is ultimately shown to be a weak and vain person who tries but fails to rise above her petty, self-centred vindictiveness, and whose airs of being The Champion of the Poor are founded in hollow self-aggrandisement, along with the social stratum she represents. Benson's choice to make the satirical point was, it's sadly clear, prophetic given the subsequent course of social & world events,👇🏼 3y

Bookwomble but leaves us (well, me, at least) with a diminished Lucia.
I do hold out hope for Lucia, though, as she has shown herself amenable to influence from two benignant sources: the gossipy, but ultimately kind-hearted, Georgie Pillson, and the irreverent and unaffected Quaint Irene. I cross my fingers in hope of Lucia's redemption, and of those she represents.
I have the Tom Holt continuations, and hope that perhaps he takes things in that direction. 3y

21 likes1 stack add2 comments

Bookwomble

Trouble for Lucia | E. F. Benson

I'm on to the last of Benson's Lucia novels, and with the Worshipful One now mayor of Tilling, appearances must be upkept with even greater energy and ruthlessness. "Tilling's appetite for social catastrophe was keen", so there's much to be done to maintain status, whilst politely sticking the knife in to ones friends and neighbours.
Frankie's attitude of feline disinterest and aloofness is probably a good strategy ?

19 likes

Welcome to Litsy!

Trending Hashtags

Trending Books