If she knew what she wants.

LUCIA IN LONDON
EF BENSON

It's a book (series, actually) that can only be described as the discovery of the year. Written in the 20s. Richly satirical. Set in provincial England 'society'. And as stunningly funny a collection of characters as Wodehouse would dream up.

Lucia, herself, is the most unlikely of heroines, being a scheming, manipulative social climber who redefines shallow with every passing chapter. Her 'friends' and neighbours aren't too far behind in the shallowness stakes, either, and are constantly trying to outwit her, even while armed with equally low intelligence.

The resultant escapades are hysterically funny, and this one, for instance, trips from ouija boards, to opera, to miniature golf, to museums. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys Wodehouse, and you wouldn't believe it was written close t0 ninety years ago.

I've managed to get my hands on the next book in the series, and will definitely hunt down the rest of the Mapp and Lucia books. It seems that Tom Holt has written two Lucia novels, as well, but those will have to wait.

Lessons learned:

1. Wodehouse has company.

2. There are no characters in fiction quite as eccentric as the English.