April 2013 Book of the Month.
The delightful reinvention of E F Benson’s world of Mapp and Lucia continues with the trials and tribulations faced by Major Benjy when his irascible nature leaves him servantless and Miss Mapp making much out of the seemingly simple task of finding a summer tenant. Light, frothy and delicious with a satisfying sharp bite - any fan of the original novels simply won’t be able to resist.
A ‘Piece of Passion’ from the publisher Elliott & Thompson...
'Guy and I met when we published a book he had written on cricket and racial and class tensions in the 1960s and 70s; a fascinating subject, but not one I had known much about beforehand. We bonded over a mutual love of EF Benson’s classic Mapp and Lucia novels when I discovered Guy had written his own sequel – with another in the pipeline. Like me, Guy came across the originals as a child and has been hooked ever since.
Although we were largely focusing on non-fiction I just couldn’t resist, and I’m so glad I didn’t. Both Lucia on Holiday and Major Benjy have been a joy to edit: the brilliance of Benson’s books is in the writing – full of nuanced and exquisitely funny observations – and Guy brings the same joyously jaded eye and fantastic turn of phrase to his sequels.
Tilling (a fictional Rye) is the archetypal timeless English village: in Major Benjy, as with Benson’s novels, the plot revolves around ordinary life in the 1920s. There’s skulduggery at a cake-making competition, a disastrous dinner party and a housekeeper with designs on her employer. All so seemingly minor and yet Tilling is a hotbed of strategic alliances, fiendish plotting and one-upmanship. It’s the perfect anecdote to the stresses of the modern world; more refreshing than a gin and tonic.''
Olivia Bays, Publisher at Elliott & Thompson
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Major Benjy a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'The atmosphere of a small town and its gossipy characters are convincing and endlessly entertaining - Sue Broom' Scroll down to read more reviews.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
This welcome addition to EF Benson's hugely popular Mapp and Lucia series finds Major Flint in need of a new servant, Miss Mapp in need of a summer tenant, and Quaint Irene in need of a pint of bitter. Romantic entanglements stir the still waters of Tilling society, cunning plots are laid, and unforeseen complications ensue. Who is doing what to whom with a bottle of sesame oil? What is the truth behind the great Tilling chocolate cake mystery? Why does Major Flint need a loaded elephant gun? Did Miss Mapp really poison the Padre? Are Diva Plaistow's days as a single woman numbered? How will Mr Wyse measure up as a man of action? Oh yes, and what really happened to Lucy? Find the answers to these and much more in Major Benjy, the latest addition to the Mapp and Lucia canon by best-selling author Guy Fraser-Sampson. Perfect reading for followers of Benson's original novels and sure to be equally loved by P.G. Wodehouse fans, this is a pitch-perfect and deliciously enjoyable social satire of an England long gone but not forgotten.
Major Benjy features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Books of the Month, Historical Fiction, eBooks of the Month, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
Major Benjy is available in Paperback, Ebook
Major Benjy was written by Guy Fraser-Sampson and published by Elliott & Thompson
£5.99
