Unless you’ve been hiding away under a non-bookish rock somewhere, you’re probably aware that the BBC are reviving E.F. Benson’s absolutely wonderful “Mapp and Lucia” for a new series this autumn. I confess to being a devotee of the original 1980s adaptation, so I may be approaching this new version a little nervously….
However, what is lovely is that Hesperus Press, one of my favourite publishing houses, has brought out a gorgeous new edition of the book and this is what it looks like:
It’s the usual quality Hesperus production, complete with French flaps (I do love French flaps on paperbacks!) and has replaced my rather tired Penguin volume which has gone off to the charity shop. I re-read and loved and reviewed “Mapp and Lucia” here – and if you haven’t yet had the pleasure, I suggest rushing out the nearest book emporium and picking up this lovely edition. I wonder if they will put any more of the series? 🙂
michelle
Sep 19, 2014 @ 08:00:24
That is one lovely looking edition indeed!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 19, 2014 @ 08:10:54
It’s very gorgeous – but I *do* like Hesperus’s editions very much!
jacquiwine
Sep 19, 2014 @ 08:35:07
A beautiful edition! l thoroughly enjoyed the original adaptation of Mapp and Lucia so I’ll be interested to see how the new version goes.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 19, 2014 @ 08:55:56
I admit my heart is with the original TV show – whether the new one does it for me remains to be seen!
Tina Brooker
Sep 19, 2014 @ 09:03:29
I agree –the original cast were brilliant and “national treasures”.The new series cannot be as good.I wish it was repeated on a channel i can obtain.
I am also scared of the new” Poldark” when it appears on our screens.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 19, 2014 @ 09:45:15
I must admit I do wish the programme makers wouldn’t keep simply remaking old stuff – they could come up with something new occasionally! And no-one will be a better Lucia than Geraldine McEwan!
Cynthia Dunn
Sep 27, 2014 @ 00:22:17
Totally agree. It was a wonderful cast.
For some insane reason I gave away all my Lucias. I think I’ll have to start again with this edition.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2014 @ 09:19:56
I did the same – what was I thinking of? But a new collection of the books is definitely needed…… 🙂
hastanton
Sep 19, 2014 @ 14:20:27
I am looking forward to the new series …Altho I did like the old one too. The book is absolutely beautiful !
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 19, 2014 @ 14:56:26
It *is* a lovely volume – Hesperus always produce such quality books!
Alex
Sep 19, 2014 @ 18:20:30
I’ve been living under that rock I’m afraid, but then I watch precious little television so forthcoming schedules tend to pass me by. I am also probably the last person in the universe who hasn’t read this series and yes, I know, I am a disgrace to the reading world.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 19, 2014 @ 20:02:46
I’m not a TV person myself – just BBC4 documentaries really – so I may well be avoiding this anyway. As you haven’t read this yet – shame! shame! 🙂 – I really recommend you go out and buy the Hesperus book!!
heavenali
Sep 19, 2014 @ 21:04:23
Ooh lovely 🙂 Love that artwork.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 19, 2014 @ 22:06:17
It’s gorgeous isn’t it?
Fleur in her World
Sep 20, 2014 @ 00:03:19
I’ve been under the rock with Alex, and I didn’t see the earlier series, so I’m going to watch the new adaptation with an open mind. I have the Black Swan editions of the books, but if Hesperus do the set and they’re all as attractive as this one I might be tempted.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 20, 2014 @ 09:50:59
I hope Hesperus do the set too – Penguin only seem to have done one volume, and I’d like one day to revisit the whole series in a beautiful matching set of volumes!
Liz at Libro
Sep 21, 2014 @ 10:21:33
Oh, lovely! I’ve got the … runs next door and checks … NOOOOO they’ve disappeared! How odd. I think I had Abacus editions, though. Unless I read them from the library. I really do need to sort out my spreadsheet recording my pre-blog reading diary!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 21, 2014 @ 11:14:07
I had all 6 books int he 1980s but I can’t remember which editions – possibly Black Swan? I know there were terrible plot spoilers on the covers!
Liz at Libro
Sep 21, 2014 @ 10:22:01
And I didn’t know about the TV series, either.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 21, 2014 @ 11:14:49
I’m less concerned about this than I am about the concept of David Walliams playing Tommy in a new series of Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence stories…… 😦
Kat
Sep 23, 2014 @ 20:34:17
I LOVE Mapp and Lucia! I have the complete Lucia in an enormous book, and think it might be time to reread it.:) Good for Hesperus for reissuing it!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 23, 2014 @ 21:08:56
The Lucia stories can certainly stand re-reading over and over again – go for it!! 🙂