Make Way For Lucia, also known as Mapp and Lucia, is a collective name for a series of novels by E. F. Benson about Emmeline "Lucia" Lucas and Elizabeth Mapp. The novels feature humorous incidents in the lives of (mainly) upper-middle-class British people in the 1920s and 1930s, vying for social prestige and one-upmanship in an atmosphere of extreme cultural snobbery. Several of them are set in the small seaside town of Tilling, closely based on Rye, East Sussex, where Benson lived for a number of years and served as mayor. Contents: Queen Lucia Miss Mapp Lucia in London Mapp and Lucia Lucia's Progress or The Worshipful Lucia Trouble for Lucia The Male Impersonator Desirable Residences Edward Frederic Benson (1867-1940) was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer, known professionally as E.F. Benson. He started his novel writing career in 1893 with the fashionably controversial Dodo, which was an instant success, and followed it with a variety of satire and romantic and supernatural melodrama. He repeated the success of Dodo, with sequels to this novel, but the greatest success came relatively late in his career with The Mapp and Lucia series consisting of six novels and two short stories. Benson was also known as a writer of atmospheric, oblique, and at times humorous or satirical ghost stories.

Miss Mapp and Lucia return in the fifth instalment of E. F. Benson's classic series. Here we find Lucia battling here way to the top of the social ladder in the small village of Tilling, Miss Mapp here nemesis will not let that happen with out a very polite and gentile fight. This novel, originally published in 1935, is being republished here together with a new introductory biography of the author.

Lucia is the uncrowned queen of 1920s provincial society, the Everest of social climbers and the most delicious of snobs. In the pastoral serenity of the village of Riseholme, Lucia and her unforgettable cronies face up to an Indian guru, spiritualism and a cultural usurper.

Reproduction of the original.

"The Freaks of Mayfair" by E. F. Benson is a delightful satirical portrayal of London's upper-class society in the prestigious district of Mayfair. Through witty humor and keen observation, Benson masterfully captures the glamorous yet absurd world of high society, where wealth, gossip, and scandal reign supreme. Set against the backdrop of extravagant parties and social gatherings, the novel delves into the lives of eccentric socialites and aristocrats, each with their own quirks and eccentricities. Benson's sharp wit and keen eye for detail expose the hypocrisy and frivolity of the upper echelons of society, offering readers a humorous yet insightful commentary on the trappings of wealth and privilege. As intrigue and scandal unfold amidst the glittering façade of Mayfair, readers are drawn into a captivating tale of ambition, rivalry, and social climbing. Through its engaging narrative and colorful characters, "The Freaks of Mayfair" provides a satirical exploration of the complexities of high society, inviting readers to laugh at the absurdities of human behavior while reflecting on the nature of wealth, power, and status in society.

An classic ghost story by E.F. Benson is revived in this illustrated Christmas edition by inimitable cartoonist Seth.

Reproduction of the original.

Tells the extraordinary story of Mary Benson and her family, bringing the late Victorian and early Edwardian period vividly to life.