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Mapp and Lucia
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
62 posts | 33 read | 71 to read
Subtly brilliant comedy of social rivalry between the wars. Emmeline Lucas (known universally to her friends as Lucia) is an arch-snob of the highest order. In Miss Elizabeth Mapp of Mallards Lucia meets her match. Ostensibly the most civil and genteel of society ladies, there is no plan too devious, no plot too cunning, no depths to which they would not sink, in order to win the battle for social supremacy. Using as their deadly weapons garden parties, bridge evenings and charming teas, the two combatants strive to outcharm each other - and the whole of Tilling society - as they vie for the position of doyenne of the town.
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rockpools
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson

Dear people-in-the-know,

I joined @Librarybelle ‘s #192025 challenge, and thought I might actually do a little bit of planning. That went as well as expected.

The first book I wanted to put on the list was Mapp & Lucia (the book, not the series). StoryGraph insists it was originally published in 1912 (Yay! Time travel! Uh, no.), Wikipedia says 1931. My copy says 1935.

Would anyone like to declare an official publication date?

Thank you 😊

Librarybelle A Bodleian Libraries blog entry from 2020 lists 1931 as the original publication date…I‘d go with 1931! 2y
RaeLovesToRead I declare 1931 2y
rockpools @Librarybelle @RaeLovesToRead Well if the Bod and Rae both say so… 1931 it is. Thanks both - I somehow hadn‘t found that blog Jess. 2y
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen You made me curious so I checked my Folio Society edition. 1931 it is! 2y
rockpools @LeahBergen You (and your folios) *were* the person-in-the-know I was thinking of! So now we know. Thanks Leah! 2y
Centique I think I‘ll be making notes in margins saying #refertoleah going forward. 😂You‘re our modernist expert 🙌 @LeahBergen 2y
36 likes7 comments
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Bookwomble
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Afternoon sun 🌞, Lucia 💖, St. Clements cocktail 🍊🍸🍋, un po-di-mu (a little Mozartino) 🎼: how delightfully civilized! 🧐

LeahBergen 😆😆 3y
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookwomble
Mapp and Lucia | E F Benson
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Rereading Mapp and Lucia 💗
I first read this prior to reading the books earlier in the series, and as enjoyable as they are, they did feel like preludes to this one, in which the two self-imagined queens of their separate social circles finally come within each other's orbits: When (Bourgeois) World's Collide! 🌍💥🌏 😄

LeahBergen This is really the star of the series. One of my all time faves! 💖 3y
Bookwomble @LeahBergen I haven't read the books after this one yet, but it's hard to imagine how Benson could improve on "Mapp and Lucia". Still, I'm sure it will be fun to have a couple more outings with them after this ? 3y
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Ruthiella
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#20Series20Days. Day Thirteen

I loved the Mapp and Lucia series (and how much would it bother Lucia that it isn‘t the Lucia and Mapp series)! 😂

Cathythoughts I‘m sure she wouldn‘t care at all 🙃🙃🙃😳. I saw the tv series 30 years ago. Loved it. 4y
Ruthiella @Cathythoughts I‘ve seen the adaptation with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan which I thought was very well done, even though I perceived Lucia as a little heavier than the actress who played her. 😀 4y
LeahBergen I‘ve actually thought of that, too. 😂😂 4y
See All 12 Comments
Ruthiella @LeahBergen Miss Mapp got to the publishers first...a coup! 😂 4y
Andrew65 @Cathythoughts Was it really 30 years ago! 😳 4y
MsMelissa If I‘m to read this series, which book should I actually start with? I have Mapp and Lucia thinking it‘s the first one. Now I‘m not so sure @LeahBergen 4y
Ruthiella @Book_Fiend_Melissa I read them in publication order- first you meet Emmeline (Lucia) in Riseholme and London in the first two and then Miss Mapp in Tilling in the third. The it is the clash of the Titans when they meet in the forth book, which is the book you have. I think you should start either with Miss Mapp or Queen Lucia. @LeahBergen Do you agree? 🤔 (edited) 4y
CarolynM I've never seen those covers. They're lovely😍 4y
batsy I've only read Mapp & Lucia & the next one and adored it. I really need to read the series in order. Lovely covers, again ❤️ 4y
Cathythoughts @Andrew65 I know 😳. Yes just looking it up there , was filmed in Rye & Winchelsea in the 1980‘s .... Prunella Scales as Mapp, Geraldine McEwan as Lucia.... I‘ve never read it though ... but that will change soon 😁 4y
Ruthiella @CarolynM Thanks. They are Moyer Bell paperback reprints from 2001. The first one is a library discard but when I decided to read on in the series, I got used copies in the same editions. 😀 4y
Ruthiella @batsy You‘ll enjoy reading them in order...there‘s a nice progression to Lucia‘s domination of all she surveys and IMO, Lucia in London is the funniest of them all. 😀 (edited) 4y
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LeahBergen
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Day 8 of #20Series20Days.

I know I just recently posted about these books but no list of my favourite series would be complete without Mapp and Lucia. 💜💙💚

#Top20Series
#FolioSociety

Cinfhen LOVELY 😊 4y
catebutler I‘ve been meaning to read these for quite some time. These editions are beautiful!! 4y
Ruthiella These will be part of my 20 too! ❤️ 4y
See All 23 Comments
rockpools I need to get back to these - they‘re such fun! And that box is perfect 😁 4y
Kalalalatja What a pretty box set! 4y
CarolynM Of course! Lovely edition 😍 4y
VeganCleopatra I can't help but be curious about the painting behind the books. 4y
batsy Aaah 😍😍 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Pretty editions! 💗💙 4y
Andrew65 Very pretty. 4y
Chrissyreadit 😍those are lovely. You have such a fun library. 4y
AlaMich Those are lovely! Who publishes that set? 4y
MsMelissa Are these Folio editions? I love the colours. And yes, my Mapp and Lucia book is now starting down at me from a shelf and shaming me for not having read it yet 😂 4y
Cathythoughts Lovely picture. I only saw the excellent tv series years ago. It might be fun to read one & see 💕😁 4y
rubyslippersreads 😍😍😍 4y
LeahBergen @catebutler I‘m almost positive you‘ll like them. 😊 4y
LeahBergen @Ruthiella They‘re so good! 4y
LeahBergen @rockpools I only have the last one left. 😭 4y
LeahBergen @VeganCleopatra It‘s an old, unsigned portrait in oil (in a battered old frame) that I picked up at an auction. No one else bid on her so she came home with me. 😆 4y
LeahBergen @AlaMich @Book_Fiend_Melissa Yes, they are an older set from the Folio Society. 😊 4y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I recently watched the more recent series and it was SO good. 😊 4y
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LeahBergen
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Congrats on the great big Litfluence, @Lizpixie ! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

It‘s always so hard for me to choose favourite books (and even genres!) but here goes...

1. Books About Books: 84, Charing Cross Road
2. Vintage Children‘s Lit: Anne of Green Gables
3. Middlebrow British Fiction Set in the Interwar Years: Mapp and Lucia

Thanks for the fun giveaway, Liz! 😘😘
#Lizpixies3x3Giveaway

KarenUK Your three genres are perfect! Between the wars British is my fave! 😍💕 5y
merelybookish Love this! 5y
Megabooks Love your specificity!! 💕💕 5y
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Daisey Very interesting genre choices! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Love your book genre specifications! I also love # 3, and now I know how to specify them! 😁 5y
emilyhaldi Great choices 🤗 5y
batsy Love it ❤️ 5y
quietjenn The best genres! 5y
rubyslippersreads Some of my favorite genres too (as you well know). 😊 5y
runswithscissors007 I can get behind these genres! 5y
Mdargusch Great choices! 👍🏼 5y
98 likes11 comments
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Mdargusch
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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I 💗Mapp and Lucia!
Thanks to @Reviewsbylola and her influence, I decided to go on eBay and treat myself to the whole set published by Folio in 1994. 😁

Lcsmcat Nice! 5y
jillrhudy Major case of booklust 5y
AlaMich I‘ve heard about these and they sound like fun. 5y
See All 9 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 💗💗💗 5y
LeahBergen Yayyyy! Isn‘t it gorgeous? I love my set, too. 💕💕 5y
Aimeesue Oh, so lovely! 5y
Mdargusch I didn‘t know you had one @LeahBergen but I‘m so glad you do because I thought you should have one too! 😂 5y
Reviewsbylola Yay!!! 😍😍 5y
batsy Wow! I covet this set 😍 5y
79 likes9 comments
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Reviewsbylola
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Thanks for the fun idea! @Cinfhen

These are my #top6reads of 2019 so far. I‘ve read a lot of great books in 2019, but these six were obvious favorites.

La_Cori A Ladder to the Sky is also in my top of this year 🖤 5y
Cinfhen I read Ladder in 2018 but yes, soooooo good!!! And I own but haven‘t yet read, the 9/11 book and 5y
Cathythoughts I havnt read any of these .. they look good - I really want to read Map & Lucia 5y
See All 9 Comments
Kalalalatja Loved Ladder 🙌 haven‘t read any of the others, but Mapp and Lucia sounds really good! (edited) 5y
AntoinetteBuchanan I love the Lucia books!!! 5y
britt_brooke I need to read that Zuckoff. Loved Ms.Pat‘s book, even though it broke my heart. 5y
jillrhudy It might be time to revisit Lucia and Miss Mapp. Love them so. 5y
Megabooks Rabbit is a good one! 5y
BiblioLitten This one was good. 5y
105 likes1 stack add9 comments
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rockpools
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Miss Mapp reigns supreme over Tilling‘s polite social circles. But when the formidable Lucia (‘Queen Lucia‘) moves to the village, will she be able to #GetOutTheMap(p) and take her rightful place at the head of Tilling society?. (That so nearly works. I thought the hashtag was #GetTheMapOut. Oh well!)

I LOVED the first two of these books. Haven‘t read this yet. The characters are all so AWFUL! 😂😂😂

#lilithjuly

KarenUK Such a great pick! This one has been on my #TBR forever.... 5y
rockpools @KarenUK They‘re really fun! 5y
CarolynM Brilliant!👏👏👏 5y
See All 6 Comments
Theaelizabet I read and loved the first one. Must get to the next one soon! 5y
Cinfhen @shawnmooney talked about this book on his booktube channel ~ sounds fabulous 5y
BarbaraBB Great choigce! 5y
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ReadingEnvy
Mapp and Lucia | E F Benson
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Reading Envy Podcast Episode 155: Music Reading Recommendations with Thomas.

Thomas and Jenny huddle up in the music nerd corner of the pub, trading recommendations for books that include music in all the best ways. We start out with a few non-fiction titles then move into novels.

https://tinyurl.com/ReadingEnvy155

Andrew65 Loved the Gustav Sonata. (edited) 5y
suzisteffen What a cool idea for a podcast topic! 5y
See All 9 Comments
andrew61 Some great books there, i have read four of them but have always wanted to reread Grace Notes, i toyed with it for booked 2019 spring, so im looking forward to listen which hopefully will push me forward, although I've just sorted my books for your summer challenge from my tbr pile so I'll post a photo soon ☺ 5y
ReadingEnvy @suzisteffen it came up naturally the first time we recorded 5y
ReadingEnvy @andrew61 have you read e.f. benson? 5y
Lindy I loved listening to this episode, partly because you both have great voices. Jenny, I was really happy that you talked about Half Blood Blues and 5y
ReadingEnvy @Lindy thank you and those are two great books! 5y
andrew61 @ReadingEnvy no jenny but i will look out for it. 👍 5y
56 likes9 comments
review
emilyhaldi
Mapp & Lucia | E F Benson
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Pickpick

E F Benson is brilliant. This was the perfect book to accompany my English holiday- especially touring a few villages in the Cotswolds that allowed me to picture the small streets of Tilling. Lucia and Georgie are friendship goals 🙌🏻 and their petty feuds with Miss Mapp amused until the last page. I plan on collecting the rest of this series ASAP!!

LeahBergen You KNOW I love this review! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Aimeesue Daisy Quantock always makes me laugh, too. 😂 6y
Reviewsbylola The baby talk, I just can‘t. 😂 6y
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Reviewsbylola
Mapp and Lucia | E F Benson
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Reading M&L together in bed. One wasn‘t so pleased about the photo op. 😂

Tamra 😂 6y
wanderinglynn 😂😂😂 6y
KarenUK Love it! 💕 6y
See All 27 Comments
saresmoore Bahahaha! 6y
Hollie 😂😂 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Best photo ever 👍 6y
Soubhiville This is awesome. Especially that sneaky flip off. 6y
silentrequiem 🤣🤣🤣 6y
tjwill 😂 6y
LeahBergen 😂😂 Which of you is Mapp and which is Lucia? 6y
JacqMac 😂 6y
vivastory 😂😂😂 6y
Christine 😂❤️ 6y
Kalalalatja Ha! 😂 6y
batsy Brilliant 😂 6y
Cinfhen Let me guess....#HappyPants ?!?!! Great photo🥰How‘s The Pig treating you??? 6y
Reviewsbylola The Pig was great! We‘re now on our second night on a cute Airbnb in Bath. Headed back to London tomorrow. @Cinfhen 6y
Cinfhen Airbnb is such a game changer!! When do u guys fly back home?? So glad you‘re having an awesome time. How‘s @HotdogZanzabaar handling the girls?? Lots of pizza & spaghetti 😋 6y
HotdogZanzabaar @Cinfhen actually it‘s been pizza and Mac n cheese 😆 6y
emilyhaldi @Cinfhen I would just like to confirm that I am not, in fact, the one flipping the bird!! 😁 6y
Cinfhen Oh, that‘s @Meredith3 .... @AnnieD is too civilized for that type of behavior @emilyhaldi 6y
Cinfhen I‘m very impressed @HotdogZanzabaar mac n cheese is a step up from spaghetti...very gourmet!! 6y
Bklover 😂😂😂😂 6y
Bklover When you get home you must check out the new Chris Watts scoop. (It was you that I was obsessing with over the Watts stuff wasn‘t it?) 6y
Reviewsbylola Oh I didn‘t even wait. I‘ve already read it. I am conflicted because I definitely think he planned it but perhaps he had only planned to kill Shanann. I tend to believe he‘s telling the truth about how and where he killed the kids. Because why would you lie about that?? Poor Bella has especially haunted me. @Bklover 6y
Bklover I think the audio was released Thursday. I‘ve been dying to ask you all week if you‘d seen any of this but didn‘t want to interrupt your vacation! I know what you mean about Bella. 6y
Reviewsbylola I read the report but only listened to snippets of the audio. I just am in shock—it wasn‘t what I was expecting and I hope he‘s being genuine and that he truly grieves the loss of his family. @Bklover 6y
131 likes27 comments
review
Mdargusch
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Pickpick

What a fun book! Written in the 1930‘s, this satirical look at country life in a small English village has many laughs. Miss Mapp and Miss Lucia are always looking for a way to one up each other in order to be the Queen Bee of the village. I loved finishing this by the fire in the English countryside and now I need to read the rest of this series. 💗

Cinfhen 💕💕💕💕💕 6y
rockpools Isn‘t it fun? And perfect place to read it! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Such a cosy setting 💗 6y
See All 16 Comments
MicheleinPhilly You took the words right out of my mouth @erzascarletbookgasm! 6y
Severnmeadows I really enjoyed the BBC tv version in 2014! 😊 6y
Mdargusch I need to check that out! @Severnmeadows 6y
Mdargusch I‘m going to start another book in the series and read them all ! Thankfully, @LeahBergen has inspired me to dive into early 1900‘s British fiction. It is my new go to. 6y
mabell I love everything about this photo! 😍 6y
JennyM This picture ❤️ 6y
LeahBergen What a glorious setting to finish this novel! 😍😍 I‘ve also read Queen Lucia, Lucia in London, and Miss Mapp so far (these three come before Mapp and Lucia in terms of plot but Mapp and Lucia is the most famous of the six). I only have two left! 😩 6y
Severnmeadows @Mdargusch I haven‘t read the book, but in the BBC version I thought the ‘guru‘ was hilarious😊 6y
Reviewsbylola SO GOOD! 6y
batsy I love this book! And what a gorgeous backdrop 😍 6y
Mdargusch I‘m reading Miss Mapp now @LeahBergen and I love the back ground. I wonder if I should‘ve read it first? 6y
LeahBergen @Mdargusch It probably doesn‘t matter that much but definitely read Queen Lucia next and then Lucia in London. Miss Mapp pretty much stands on its own. The fifth in the series is Lucia‘s Progress but it‘s called The Worshipful Lucia in the US (just so you know not to buy both of those!). The sixth and final book is Trouble for Lucia. I have these last two to read still. 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
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Mdargusch
Mapp and Lucia | E F Benson
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A little bit of diversion for the train ride from London to Honiton. We picked Mapp and Lucia for our family book club in honor of our trip to the UK. We highly recommend!

Aimeesue And definitely have the Lobster à la Riseholme!? 6y
Reviewsbylola So good!! 6y
LeahBergen Perfect! I hope you‘re all having a wonderful time! ❤️❤️ 6y
Mdargusch I need the recipe! @Aimeesue 😁 6y
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emilyhaldi
Mapp & Lucia | E F Benson
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Map & Lucia go together like Gin & Tonic!
Enjoying a little down time on the train to Honiton 🚂

Reviewsbylola Lucia for the win! 🙌🏻 6y
LeahBergen Yes!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Have a ton o‘ fun! 😘 6y
75 likes2 comments
review
Reviewsbylola
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Pickpick

M&L reads just like a Persephone book. I loved the rivalry between Elizabeth Mapp and Lucia and hung on to every word, even laughing out loud. The book itself made it easy to forget there were no page numbers. 😂

Reviewsbylola @LeahBergen easily a five star read for me! 6y
BethFishReads I so love the Lucia books (edited) 6y
LeahBergen I‘m soooo glad you loved it. We can still be friends! 😆😆 6y
emilyhaldi Oof, hoping I have some time for this on the plane 😅 6y
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Reviewsbylola
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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I truly don‘t know that I‘ve ever read a book without page numbers, but I‘ll tell you, I CAN‘T LIVE LIKE THIS!! Why?!?!?!?!?

Would this irritate anyone else or is it just me?

DivineDiana Yes! What a strange idea?!? 6y
Becker It‘s unheard of.🤨 (edited) 6y
MommyOfTwo Yes it would drive me nuts 6y
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Vexingcircumstance I don‘t even like when books on my kindle don‘t have page numbers. 6y
Judybskt Oh hell no!! That would annoy me. 6y
CarolynM I could deal with it in a Mapp and Lucia book, but it would drive me mad if it was something I wasn't enjoying. 6y
Tamra Annoying 6y
MaGoose Annoying. 6y
Slajaunie Really annoying! 6y
wordzie 😁😂👉 6y
Redwritinghood Isn‘t that the page number at the top? Or am I missing a joke here? (edited) 6y
Hooked_on_books I would go bonkers 🤯 6y
TheBookgeekFrau It's just so . . . wrong 😖 6y
Cinfhen I‘m guessing that‘s the chapter number @Redwritinghood and yes, would piss me off!!!! 6y
MemoirsForMe 😱😱😱 6y
Bklover It would piss me off. Very annoying. 6y
LeahBergen Well, that‘s just weird. Who‘s the publisher? 6y
BarbaraJean Ohhhhhhh, I could NOT handle that! 6y
Book_Lover95 I honestly don't think if even read it. That would definitely piss me off. 6y
youneverarrived Yeah that would annoy me! 6y
Debdeb I think it makes me want to read it tho ... is that a bit odd?? 6y
Aswenson Honestly, I‘d probably starting pencilling the numbers in! 6y
Velvetfur Oh how weird....why would they not put numbers in? I use the numbers to know I've turned only one page and not got two stuck together, therefore losing the plot (literally)! 6y
Elizabeth2 No. Nope. Uh-uh. No siree. Why would anyone think this was a good idea? How could I reference a page I wanted to share at book club? Or discuss progress with someone I was buddy-reading with? How would I track my progress in my Bookly app or Goodreads? So many times when I‘ve needed or used page numbers....(Truly though, if the book was great I‘d get over it.) 6y
Reviewsbylola Yes, that‘s the chapter. So I can at least be grateful for that! @redwritinghood @Cinfhen 6y
Reviewsbylola It‘s Read Books, Ltd. @LeahBergen 6y
Redwritinghood @Reviewsbylola @Cinfhen Oh, I feel silly. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 6y
LeahBergen I wonder if they publish all their books without page numbers? 😬 6y
Reviewsbylola I can‘t understand why it would be a thing, yet here we are. 😆 @LeahBergen 6y
Megabooks That would drive me 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌 6y
janeycanuck What kind of monster thinks this is a good idea?! 😱😱😱 6y
emilyhaldi IT'S DRIVING ME BONKERS 6y
125 likes3 stack adds32 comments
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rockpools
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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When the indomitable Lucia moves to Miss Mapp‘s village of Tilling, there‘s bound to be a whole lot of #YouAndMeButMostlyMe . Both ladies are charming, cultured and experts in the fine art of social oneupmanship. 😼😼🧁

#musicalnewyear

Cinfhen Perfect!!! Looks like a charming book. 6y
Cinfhen The cover is spectacular 🥰🥰🥰🥰 6y
emilyhaldi Really hoping to get to these books soon ☺️ 6y
See All 11 Comments
rockpools @emilyhaldi @Cinfhen They really are fun! 6y
Lcsmcat Excellent choice! 6y
vivastory What @Cinfhen said! 6y
LeahBergen And they‘re vicious, too. 😆😆 6y
LeahBergen @vivastory You must read it. It‘s bonkers and fun. 6y
vivastory @LeahBergen It sounds great. I think I'll bump it up my TBR 👍 6y
rockpools @LeahBergen Did I forget to mention how awful they both are? Oops! 😉 Pretty sure this is a #BlameItOnLeah series. Thank you 😘 6y
LeahBergen @RachelO Haha! I hope it WAS a blame it on me! I love how awful they are. 😆😆 6y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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/qo

LeahBergen Quaint Irene! 😆😆 6y
Suet624 I love the word salubrious. 6y
36 likes1 stack add2 comments
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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LeahBergen Nope. Don‘t even try, Georgie. 😄 6y
saresmoore I love this book so much. 6y
Mdargusch Ha! I need to start a new book today and now you‘ve helped me decide. Mapp and Lucia it is! 6y
50 likes1 stack add3 comments
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Even though I just read it a year ago, I am re-reading Mapp and Lucia now as a buddy read with @LeahBergen - loving it even more (hardly thought it possible) the second time around!

#QuoteOfTheDay

LeahBergen I know exactly how he feels about those grey roots. “How tarsome”. 😆 6y
44 likes1 comment
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LeahBergen
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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I‘m starting this today for a “chapter-a-day” buddy read with the darling @shawnmooney .

(Please note the timely and celebratory bookmark 🤣).

#FolioSociety

writerlibrarian 😁 love this series. 6y
LittleMummyMe I love the idea of a chapter a day read along with a friend ❤ 6y
Chrissyreadit How did you save it for so long? 6y
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Melissa_J Love the bookmark! 6y
Chrissyreadit And the book sounds like I need to add it... (I‘m so sick of school reading. Girls just wanna read fun books.) 6y
Mdargusch I have this close to the top of my TBR so I can‘t wait to see what you think. 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Yes love the book mark 😊 6y
LittleMummyMe @writerlibrarian can I read this book first, before the others or should I read them in sequential order? I've just purchased the set on kindle. 6y
writerlibrarian @LittleMummyMe i would read Queen Lucia and Miss Mapp before the novel where they go head to head so to speak. 6y
emilyhaldi Love everything about this 🙌🏻 6y
mrp27 Love the bookmark! 6y
Bookwomble Mapp and Lucia is fantastic. I ❤ Lucia, but I think Georgie is the only character you could really rely on. 6y
TrishB That bookmark 👍🏻 6y
rockpools 😍Have fun! 6y
LittleMummyMe @writerlibrarian thank you 👍🏼 6y
Aimeesue One of my favorite book series ever! 6y
Blaire Nice bookmark!! 👰 🎩 👑 6y
rubyslippersreads Lovely! @sarah83 and I are scheduled to start Queen Lucia next month. 😊 6y
Reviewsbylola Omg that bookmark!!!!! 😍😍😍 6y
123 likes2 stack adds19 comments
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Bookwomble
Mapp & Lucia | E F Benson
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There is a certain amount which I shan't mention publicly," Elizabeth said. "Things about Lucia which I should never dream of stating openly."
"Those are just the ones I should like to hear about most," said Diva. "Just a few little titbits."
#gossip

review
Bookwomble
Mapp & Lucia | E F Benson
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Pickpick


Delightful; amusing; gentle comedy of manners: while accurate descriptors, make this sound twee and dated, which is far from the truth. Gossipy, waspish and, at times, malignant are also accurate, and go more to the heart of the humour. There is a well-observed cast of satellite characters, notably Lucia's best friend, the endearing Georgie Pilling, the only person of steadfast and unwavering loyalty amongst the two main combatants' followers.

saresmoore I adore this book. Have you read any others in the series? I picked up a nice, fat compilation at a library sale a few months ago that I look forward to devouring. 7y
Bookwomble I've got all of Benson's Mapp and Lucia books, plus a couple of continuations by Tom Holt, but haven't quite managed to start on them yet. I'll maybe try to fit Queen Lucia into my reading schedule this year. 7y
6 likes2 comments
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MayJasper
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Mr. Georgie is definitely Lucia's #cheerleader even if very occasionally if sticks his foot out to trip her!
#fiercefeb photo challenge 👍
@batsy @Cinfhen

rubyslippersreads Lovely covers! 😍 7y
batsy Haha, yes! Love it 💜 And yes, these covers 😍 7y
Cinfhen I thought this was your post for a second @rubyslippersreads 😂 7y
rubyslippersreads @Cinfhen I'm flattered. 😊 7y
LeahBergen Oh, these books! And Georgie and his bibelots! 😂😂 7y
81 likes5 comments
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rockpools
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Two ladies, with claws, who know how to use them in their scrambles to the top of the social tree. And, once there, to cling on for dear life! (Getting down again could be a problem 😼)

I read the first 2 in this series last year, and absolutely loved them. They were written in the 1920s & 30s, and have made me decide it's about time I gave the #192019 challenge ago, to see what else I've been missing.

#shesgotclaws @Cinfhen @TrishB

TrishB Great choice 👍🏻 I‘ve not read but heard a lot about them! 7y
rockpools @TrishB They're fun! And I forgot the #nuyear tag - out of practice! 7y
erzascarletbookgasm Much Litsy love for this. On my wishlist 😊 7y
Cinfhen Nicely done😻 7y
batsy Good one! 7y
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LeahBergen
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Another wonderful Christmas gift. 💕💕

#FolioSociety

ScorpioBookDreams Looks beautiful! 😍😍 7y
youneverarrived Beautiful 😍 7y
LauraBrook Wow, this is just gorgeous! 😍😍😍 7y
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Simona 😍😍😍 7y
TrishB How lovely 💜 7y
Sarah83 Wonderful editions. 😍 7y
DivineDiana Beautiful! Just added to my #TBR! 7y
Kalalalatja Oh wow! 😍😍 7y
cathysaid Nice! 💕 7y
GypsyKat Beautiful editions! 😍 7y
emilyhaldi Wow this is beautiful!! I want! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 7y
Melissa_J Love it! I‘ve never actually read any of the Mapp and Lucia books, but I do own the first one. One of these days... 7y
Mdargusch I need these! 💓💕💗 7y
elkeOriginal What a gorgeous set! 7y
batsy Oh my gosh, how wonderful! 😍 7y
rubyslippersreads I'm drooling. 😄 7y
DeborahSmall Gorgeous ❤️ 7y
erzascarletbookgasm 😲❤️🤤 7y
britt_brooke Lovely! 💚 7y
Chachic So pretty! 7y
Centique Awww, that‘s a perfect present! 7y
Cathythoughts So lovely 💕💕✨ 7y
KVanRead Beautiful 😮 7y
Reviewsbylola So beautiful. ❤️ 7y
shawnmooney JEALOUS! 7y
LeahBergen @sarah83 Here‘s the full set. 6y
Sarah83 Looks great 😍 I have a German edition, but only own three books 😱 6y
Reviewsbylola I AM SO JEALOUS!! 6y
Reviewsbylola Now that I‘ve read the one book I covet this set! 6y
LeahBergen @Reviewsbylola The illustrations are so fitting, too! These were secondhand; I‘m sure you could track down a reasonably priced set, as well. 🤞🏻 6y
131 likes30 comments
review
EvieBee
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Pickpick

Sigh. What an absolutely perfect book. I broke my rule of reading only 1 of 13 chapters a day so I could savor it...but I marched through the last third of the book beginning at 10 pm. The lengths and oneupmanship these ladies go to to dominate the village of Tilling was amazing! And ending on such a cliffhanger! 📮📮📮📮📮

rockpools 😃I'm looking forward to this one even more now! 7y
EvieBee @RachelO So good, Rachel! Wish I could erase my memory and begin again. Keep me posted! 7y
Centique What a beautiful photo too! This is on my TBR 😊 7y
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EvieBee @Centique Thank you so much! This is most definitely a winning read. 😊 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty!!! 7y
rubyslippersreads Gorgeous photo and book cover! 😍📚😍 7y
EvieBee @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @rubyslippersreads Thank you so much! 😘😘♥️♥️ 7y
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EvieBee
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Decided to add this to my nightstand books tonight, and after the first chapter am so glad I did! I adore this series, but because I don‘t want it to end, I‘ve read a book about every 3-4 years! This is book 4 of 6. Am I the only one who does that? I‘ve decided to make 2018 the year I read 5-star predictions year round! #currentlyreading

TheWordJar I‘ve decided to make my 2018 motto “Do something today that tomorrow me will thank me for”...I think purposefully reading only predicted 5-star books qualifies! 🤓 7y
EvieBee @TheWordJar What an outstanding motto! I think it qualifies, too! Just focusing on the enjoyment of good literature. Ahh. ♥️♥️ 7y
LeahBergen I do that, too (and especially with this series! I‘ve only read the first two). 7y
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cariashley I totally do that too! I started Outlander more than 7 years ago and have only read the first 5 😂 7y
EvieBee @LeahBergen @cariashley So glad I‘m not alone! ♥️♥️ 7y
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LeahBergen
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Cathythoughts Oh I remember this TV series 😊it was brilliant ! 7y
rubyslippersreads 😍😍😍 7y
Lcsmcat So funny! 7y
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Izai.Amorim Nice cover 7y
shawnmooney ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 7y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I'm going to finally watch the series when I finish all six books. 👍🏻 7y
LeahBergen @Lcsmcat I love them! 7y
LeahBergen @Izai.Amorim It is! 👍🏻 7y
Reviewsbylola 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that damn table!! 6y
LeahBergen @Reviewsbylola Right?? It‘s so damned outlandish that it shouldn‘t work but it does. 😆 6y
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LauraBeth
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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So @MrBook brought it to everyone's attention that @shawnmooney has a booktube channel. And can I just say it is DELIGHTFUL! Just when I thought I couldn't put another book on my radar - he starts talking about this book. Well done, friend 😀👏👏Y'all need to get in on this because he is an excellent reviewer. The link is: https://youtu.be/IED2_WwgDeI

shawnmooney Aww shucks - blushing here - thanks! 😘😘❤️❤️ 7y
Cinfhen He's absolutely charming ~ aye?! I totally had to subscribe @shawnmooney ❤️ 7y
Reviewsbylola Thanks for sharing! I had no idea! 7y
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MrBook See, told you @shawnmooney 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻! 7y
emilyhaldi Oh wow! I had no idea either! Will definitely check it out 😄 7y
TrishB Sonething to have a look at later ❤ 7y
Lola I agree 100000%! I immediately downloaded Autumn after hearing @shawnmooney talk about it and also loved that he felt the same way about All My Puny Sorrows that I did. Well done!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 7y
Spiderfelt Love your book talk @shawnmooney. 7y
KathyWheeler He only talked about one book I'd already read, so now there are a bunch of others to add to my tbr. 7y
LeahBergen Isn't he wonderful?? I watched you right before bed the other night, @shawnmooney , and then you randomly showed up in a dream. 😂😂😂😂 7y
LauraBeth @shawnmooney specifically, I love how heartfelt your reviews are 7y
LauraBeth @Cinfhen totally charming! 7y
LauraBeth @Reviewsbylola It's very good! 7y
LauraBeth Thank YOU, too, @MrBook or I may not have known about it! 7y
LauraBeth @emilyhaldi I hardly watch much booktube but his is really good and I'll be watching it for sure 😀 7y
LauraBeth @TrishB 🙌🙌 7y
LauraBeth @Lola I went to the library today and checked out Autumn! 😀all because of @shawnmooney 7y
LauraBeth @Tamra yes! More, please! 😀 7y
LauraBeth @KathyWheeler same here! And I hadn't planned on reading some of them until hearing him talk about them 😀 7y
LauraBeth @LeahBergen this made me 😂😂😂 7y
Lola @shawnmooney We're all Moony for Mooney! 🌙❤️ 7y
shawnmooney @Cinfhen @MrBook @Lola @Spiderfelt @Tamra @KathyWheeler @LauraBeth Your feedback made me so happy I had trouble falling asleep last night! 😍😘😍😘 Speaking of sleep, @LeahBergen - care to share some details or are they too raunchy? 😂 7y
shawnmooney And now I know who you are on YT, @Spiderfelt ! 7y
LeahBergen @shawnmooney I shall speak no more upon it. 😂😂 7y
Spiderfelt @shawnmooney not an active YouTuber, just posted one tutorial@years ago. I closed that business two years ago. 7y
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shawnmooney
Mapp & Lucia | E F Benson
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I'm starting the tag #EclipseLit because I am curious about any literature that includes, for example, a scene or premise involving one. Or, a figurative eclipse. I can't for the life of me think of a literal eclipse in fiction, but figuratively speaking Lucia certainly eclipses Mapp in this wonderful novel I read recently!

Curious to hear about other literal or figurative #EclipseLit!

Zelma Stephen King wrote about an eclipse. 7y
LeahBergen Hmm... I'll have to ponder 🤔 7y
Bookwomble The is s literal eclipse in 7y
45 likes4 comments
review
saresmoore
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Pickpick

This is a fabulous book with absurdly realistic and endearingly unlikeable characters. Their small, sheltered world is portrayed with both wit and magnanimity. I think to live in Mapp & Lucia's world would be "tarsome" indeed, but I sure did enjoy reading about (and chuckling at) the ridiculous day-to-day lives of the residents of Tilling.

Please see @shawnmooney 's lovely review for a more deft assessment!

emilyhaldi Sounds fun!! (edited) 7y
rubyslippersreads Lovely cover! 😍 7y
shawnmooney I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I can't decide what to do next, re-read it or go on to another in the series. Au reservoir! 7y
saresmoore @emilyhaldi It's a lot of fun! And quite clever, too. This was a refreshing read, for sure. 7y
saresmoore @rubyslippersreads It's a really pretty illustration and I think VINTAGE does such a nice job with paperback binding. 7y
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saresmoore
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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I think Mapp has cracked it. The best way to turn around a disappointing Christmas is...bacon! 🥓

Suet624 Hahaha. Haven't eaten meat in 45 years. Bacon is the only meat I miss. 😂 7y
shawnmooney 🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓 7y
saresmoore @Suet624 It really is something special! Ha! 7y
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saresmoore @shawnmooney This book! So much fun. And the flood! The table! Of all the absurdity! I enjoyed this so much, it's left me speaking in fragments. 7y
batsy This is one of my favourites that I found totally by accident in a library in Winnipeg years ago. It helped me endure a miserable winter. 7y
saresmoore @batsy It's such a delight! I kept waiting for some archaic prejudice to ruin the story, but I think Benson politely skewered a range of self-focused personalities—maybe there's a bit of Queen Lucia in us all! 7y
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Verity
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Today we went to Rye so I could go and see Mapp and Lucia's house. It wasn't open (don't ask), but I saw it and we wandered happily around Rye for a couple of hours. So lovely.

KarenUK Oh I love Rye! Have you read 7y
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saresmoore
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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"Lucia gave him one of those glances behind which lurked so much purpose, which no doubt would be disclosed at the proper time. The bees were astir once more in the hive, and presently they would stream out for swarmings or stingings or honey-harvesting. . . . It was delightful to see her looking like that again."

LeahBergen I only know Lucia so far. Mapp is coming up in the next book in the series for me (I'm reading them in order). They're so good! 7y
saresmoore @LeahBergen It's really delicious reading! 7y
Moray_Reads Pretty cover 😍 7y
shawnmooney Oooh you started it!! ❤️ 7y
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saresmoore
Mapp & Lucia | E F Benson
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Well, it looks like my evening plans have been made.

Suet624 Toenails or fingernails? 7y
saresmoore @Suet624 I'm living on the edge and doing BOTH! Bryan is cooking dinner! Woohoo! (edited) 7y
Hollie This post makes me really wish we had Sunday liquor sales so I could have some wine. 7y
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saresmoore @Hollie The no alcohol sales on Sundays law is just inhuman. Isn't it traditionally the day that families get together? When could you possibly need liquor more?! 7y
Hollie @saresmoore I agree completely. Kansas does a lot of things that are completely nonsensical! 7y
ValerieAndBooks @Hollie when we lived in Colorado, at the time we moved there, there was a law against alcohol sales on Sundays, too! We learned to stock up beforehand until they fortunately changed the law 😂, hopefully Kansas does soon! 7y
Hollie @ValerieAndBooks luckily, I have some bourbon in the house so that will do for tonight! 7y
LeahBergen Perfect!! 7y
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review
shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Pickpick

A charming, witty novel from 1935. Lucia, a beautiful young widow, moves to a Sussex village long dominated by the spinster Miss Mapp; their battle for social supremacy pulsates with refined vindictiveness that—no shame here—delighted me, several times to the point of squealing aloud. Amid the hilarity, I thought differently and deeply about things like nicknaming, pet expressions and "home". I loved this a thousand times more than expected.

batsy This book is a gem; one of my favs. 8y
LeahBergen Yes!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 Are you going to read more of the series? 8y
shawnmooney @batsy @LeahBergen Many consider this one Benson's best but I'm definitely for reading others of his! ❤ 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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CherylDeFranceschi 👁Oops! 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Lindy I had vegetable marrow jam in Portugal and it was good. (Not fermented.) 'Gila' was used in other sweet things like pastries and cake, also. 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Bookboss I am reading Queen Lucia! 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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LeahBergen Ha! 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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LeahBergen I need to get to Queen Lucia soon. I hope you are enjoying this? 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen I'm really really enjoying it and something tells me you shall too! 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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MayJasper I love Lucia! 8y
LeahBergen 💗 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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Abailliekaras Loved this bit about her coming out of mourning. 8y
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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shawnmooney
Mapp and Lucia | E. F. Benson
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