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The Diary of a Provincial Lady cover art

The Diary of a Provincial Lady

By: E. M. Delafield
Narrated by: Georgina Sutton
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Summary

'Lady B. stays to tea. (Mem.: Bread-and-butter too thick. Speak to Ethel.) We talk some more about bulbs, the Dutch School of Painting, our Vicar's wife, sciatica, and All Quiet on the Western Front. (Query: is it possible to cultivate the art of conversation when living in the country all the year round?)'

If the question suggests a qualified answer, there is no doubt that the art of diary writing is alive and well and very, very funny in Devonshire in the 1920s. At least in the hands of E. M. Delafield. Though poles apart in many ways, Bridget Jones's Diary could not have existed without her sometimes arch, often lofty, but deeply English upper middle class forbear.

Diary of a Provincial Lady is a classic of its time, revealing the thoughts and concerns of a Lady embedded in family life and the mores of comfortable country life. She has a husband 'raised to the peerage', two children and servants; she is burdened by the superior Lady Boxe, the tiresome vicar's wife and the constant temptation to live beyond her monthly household allowance. But she soldiers on, recording her days with acute observation, wit, self-deprecation and colour.

A balance to the Bloomsbury intensity of the day, this is a classic that has never been out of print and now comes to life in this pitch-perfect reading by Georgina Sutton.

©2016 PD (P)2016 Ukemi Productions Ltd

What listeners say about The Diary of a Provincial Lady

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Never disappoints

Sixth or seventh time of re-visiting Diary of Provincial Lady. ALWAYS a joy from bulbs to Lady B's party. Our Vicar's Wife my favourite character in literature. WELL worth A Read.

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10 people found this helpful

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Really amusing!

Any additional comments?

The Lady outlines her struggles and a few (minor) triumphs in her battle with her husband, children, servants and the social mores of her times in England between the wars. Told amusingly and beautifully narrated, this book gave me several hours of sheer joy.

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7 people found this helpful

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A Favourite

This book is one of my 'comfort reads' - the sort of book you go back to when you are unwell, perhaps, or anxious. So it was great to find it here - and it wasn't ruined by the narration!

There isn't really a story, it is just the fictional 'diary' of an upper-middle class woman, in Devon. She is the author, really, as it does reflect elements of Delafield's life. She wrote several novels, lots of short stories and three volumes of the 'Provincial Lady' - this one, plus 2 follow-ups, taking in WW2 and her time spent in the USA, all reflective of the real life of the author.

This is observational humour, witty, easy-going and very light. Well read too - it wasn't the voice I imagined the PL to have but it grew on me.

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5 people found this helpful

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Lively and amusing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A fictional diary from the 1920s, almost entirely taking place in the Devonshire countryside, is lively, amusing and most enjoyable. It might have been boring, but most certainly isn't and although life is very different today, some of the problems encountered chime with our own.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Diary of a Provincial Lady?

There are so many : almost impossible to pick one out as they follow in quick succession nearly every day of the diarist's life.

Which character – as performed by Georgina Sutton – was your favourite?

The diary is written in the first person and Georgina Sutton is quite excellent. She has a gift for bringing out the humour, of which there is much, but also makes her character very sympathetic.

Any additional comments?

I believe there are other books following the Provincial Lady's life. It would be wonderful if Georgina Sutton could record them as well. She is the perfect narrator.

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5 people found this helpful

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Enjoyable listen.

I’ve not read anything by this author before but was encouraged by other positive reviews to try this book. I was pleased I did. Although of a different age and class, I could relate to some of the diarist’s experiences and found it very amusing. Children still behave in the same way, friends and acquaintances are still as frustrating and irritating and husbands can still be as monosyllabic as the characters in this book. It would make a good period drama along the lines of “Downton Abbey” on a smaller scale. The narrator brought all the characters to life in an engaging way.

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4 people found this helpful

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Excellent Reading of my favourite book.

Recommend without any hesitation. Really hope the rest of the series and radio adaptation are soon available.

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4 people found this helpful

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Boring....

Having read all the reviews I decided to give this one a go and I think I must be the only listener who didn’t like this. The narrator’s style made the central character out to be constantly irritated. Not for me.

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3 people found this helpful

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A brilliantly performed version

I have loved this book since I discovered it. At last a worthy audio version. It is still universally funny, even in our egalitarian world.

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3 people found this helpful

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Stunning voice

Really enjoyed this book - well read, beautiful diction. Would highly recommend this if you enjoy light comedy.

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2 people found this helpful

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A wonderfully presented bit of nostalgia

Loved this beautiful piece of, very amusing writing, read with feeling by Georgina Sutton. Wonderful.

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1 person found this helpful