I'm excited to be starting our Mapp & Lucia Book Club today, starting with the first book in the series by E.F. Benson: Queen Lucia. In today's video, I'm sharing my observations about the book with you.
Queen Lucia is a comedy of manners that follows Mrs. Emmeline Lucas, aka Lucia, as the social queen of Riseholme, England. Other key characters in the book are:
Georgie Pillson: Lucia's foppish best friend
Mr. Lucas (Peppino:) Lucia's very patient husband
Daisy Quantock: Georgie Pillson's neighbor who would love to overthrow Lucia's title of Queen of Riseholm
Olga Bracely: the operatic diva who moves to Riseholme and gives Lucia a run for her money
Here are some fun observations, in list form, that I discuss in today's video:
Lucia reminds me very much of Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances.
They both love the arts, think very highly of themselves and are self-professed Queens of their small communities.
Even when suffering, the residents are thinking about how they look. Georgie is secretly pleased he had the biggest loss with his Louis XVI snuff box!
As soon as it is discovered that the Guru is an impostor and a thief, Daisy proclaims him to be "Lucia's guru".
The residents of Riseholme were had by both the guru and the Princess Popoffski. When you are so concerned about trends and what others think about you, you are more likely to be taken advantage of: think The Emperor's New Clothes.
After each betrayal from the guru and Princess Popoffski are discovered, Lucia and co. carry on for a while to keep up appearances (the guru's practices and the Princess' fortune telling) even though they have completely lost interest in the activities.
When you live in a town where people really care what others think of them, those people are more likely to be taken advantage of. Los Angeles is a place where people really care what others think of them. It is also a place where people pay a lot of money for some pretty crazy practices. You see this in all sorts of services and beauty treatments, etc. You can't get away with that in other parts of the country.
Moral of the story? Never do things for "show" or to keep up appearances. The Madame Chic philosophy is to do things from a true inward passion, not because it is popular or trendy.
News
I am featured in the upcoming anthology, A Paris All Your Own: Bestselling Women Writers on the City of Light, out July 4th from G.P. Putnam's Sons.
I'll be doing a book signing and speaking event on Saturday, July 15th at Chevalier's in Los Angeles.
On Instagram
Madame Chic and a beautiful breakfast in Poland...
Comment of the Week
Last week's discussion on television for children received a very impassioned response. I will have to do a part 2! Every comment was thought-provoking and full of great advice. Here is an excerpt from what Lillian had to say:
I noticed when I was a nanny and babysitter in high school and college that cartoons always seemed to be about romantic relationships more than about friendships between boys and girls. Young girls don't need to be focused on that kind of relationship or themes of jealousy and fighting over a boy. Instead, we need to teach children (and demonstrate this ourselves) how to have good friendships with everyone.
Lillian, I totally agree. Disney movies, in particular, focus on romantic relationships in a major way. It would be refreshing to see them focused more on themes of friendship.
Today, I would love to read your comments on what you observed from Queen Lucia. List your observations below and you could be featured in an upcoming Mapp and Lucia book club video! #MappandLuciaBookClub
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