LoveReading Says
Lucia on Holiday is a new addition to the Mapp and Lucia canon, based on the immortal characters first created by E.F. Benson. Perfect reading for followers of Benson's original novels and sure to be equally loved by new fans, this is a pitch-perfect and deliciously enjoyable social satire of an England long gone but not forgotten.
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 Lucia on Holiday a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'What a delightful, funny, captivating read this book is from start to finish...A really good old fashioned and light-hearted story with endearing characters which will leave you with a smile on your face.' Scroll down to read more reviews.
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Guy Fraser-Sampson Press Reviews
We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review Lucia on Holday. You can read their reviews below.
Edel Waugh - 'I read this on my own and I am relieved now that I did as I spent the majority of the time laughing out loud and chuckling away to myself. Mapp and Lucia are back!!...This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a really good giggle.' Click here to read the full review.
Judith Smith - 'Delightful!...The characters and settings are so well observed and created that joining them for cocktails is believable, albeit unwise.' Click here to read the full review.
Kath Thornton - 'What a delightful, funny, captivating read this book is from start to finish...A really good old fashioned and light-hearted story with endearing characters which will leave you with a smile on your face.' Click here to read the full review.
Helen Sidebottom - 'If you, like me havent read any of the Mapp and Lucia series I would strongly recommend you start now, they are a great way to escape into a time which no longer exists if indeed it every really did.' Click here to read the full review.
Josie Barton - 'The larger than life characters, comparable at times to the farcical nature of P. G Wodehouse kept me completely entertained. The droll humour is quite refreshing, and I found myself laughing out loud at the social commentary, which is wryly observed.' Click here to read the full review.
Molly Evans - 'A rollicking good read and highly recommended as a look back to a time before the ease and speed of air travel changed travel from a luxury to an every-day experience.' Click here to read the full review.
Cyllene Griffiths - 'Delightfully written, this is classic humour in the best P. G. Wodehouse style - a light hearted book guaranteed to win new fans for the original Mapp and Lucia series.' Click here to read the full review.
Lindsey Whittle - 'This book was a delight to read, capturing the mood and essence of the Benson originals...I think anyone who enjoyed the original books, or who likes P G Wodehouse, will have fun with this book.' Click here to read the full review.
Geranium Cat - 'As a long time aficionado of E.F. Benson I was absolutely delighted to be offered the opportunity to review this new addition to the delicious Mapp and Lucia books...Lucia sails through the pages with her usual aplomb, as enchanting and infuriating as ever. A worthy addition to the canon.' Click here to read the full review.
Sue Broom - 'It is beautifully but densely written, packed with cultural references, and needs to be savoured at a leisurely pace. The dialogue is a hoot, clever and vibrant - I loved it.' Click here to read the full review.
Kathy Howell - 'What a delightful book! It was an easy and enjoyable read. I read Mapp and Lucia books a long time ago and had forgotten how much I liked them.' Click here to read the full review.
Siobhan McDowell - 'Lucia on Holiday is a great read!...I was delighted by the sparkling dialogue and witty back-chat that each chapter contained...Such a giggle this book....really entertaining in a light way!' Click here to read the full review.
Rhonda Lomazow - 'With the usual cast of supporting characters get ready for a wonderfully hysterical read. Lucia on Holiday is a book not to be missed.' Click here to read the full review.
Nicola Crisp - 'I can say that I found it very enjoyable, with a great cast of characters and period details...I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.' Click here to read the full review.
Ruth Paterson - 'The novel did serve as a suitable introduction to the characters and as a precursor to further farcical and amusing adventures. The book was well written and as a whole enjoyable.' Click here to read the full review.
Nikki Clark - 'Having never read the Mapp and Lucia series I can’t compare Guy Fraser-Sampson’s story to E.F. Benson’s tales however I can say I did enjoy dipping my toe into this particular social satire.' Click here to read the full review.
Sam Lewis - 'I wasn’t sure of this book at first as it has a different style of writing to what I would normally choose to read. However it soon had me in hysterics! It was such a funny book and the characters are exactly that; characters indeed! I loved it!' Click here to read the full review.
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Praise for Guy Fraser-Sampson:
'Lucia is back! This is a wonderful new adventure for our magnificent heroine, written with all the style and humour of Benson himself. A triumph. Uno, due, tres ... read it!' -- Alexander McCall Smith
Praise for 'Major Benjy by Guy Fraser-Sampson:
'More Mapp and Lucia - what bliss! Major Benjy on the rampage - what joy!' -- Gyles Brandreth
'As you read Guy Fraser-Sampson's sinuous narrative and needle-sharp dialogue, Tilling suddenly takes shape all around you ... Benson himself would have loved this book, and so will you.' -- Tom Holt
'An agreeable romp, with at least one treat for the Benson aficionado' -- The Spectator
'Brilliant, quite quite brilliantly wonderful...This is a simply delicious book and I loved every single word...I hope this sells in millions and trillions as it deserves to do so.' -- Random Jottings
