Последние издания книг Э. М. Делафилд

Впервые на русском — шедевр британской юмористической прозы XX века, «одна из самых уморительных, изощренных и симпатичных книг, какие вам только доведется прочесть» (Guardian). Безымянная героиня Э. М. Делафилд, имеющая немало автобиографических черт, скрупулезно фиксирует в своем дневнике каждодневную «борьбу с высокомерными соседями, неразговорчивым мужем и…

When the editor of Time and Tide wanted some light «middles», preferably in serial form, E. M. Delafield promised to think of something to submit'. It was thus, in 1930, that her most popular and enduring work Diary of a Provincial Lady was written. This largely autobiographical novel which took the form of a journal of the life of an upper-middle class Englishwoman living mostly in a Devon village of the 1930s is a humorous account of a house-wife and a mother who juggles her life at home and yet goes on to successfully publish her first book. E. M. Delafield (1890-1943) was a prolific English author who is best known for her autobiographical works like Zella Sees Herself, The Provincial Lady Series etc. which look at the lives of upper-middle class Englishwomen.

When the editor of Time and Tide wanted some light «middles», preferably in serial form, E. M. Delafield promised to think of something to submit'. It was thus, in 1930, that her most popular and enduring work Diary of a Provincial Lady was written. This largely autobiographical novel which took the form of a journal of the life of an upper-middle class Englishwoman living mostly in a Devon village of the 1930s is a humorous account of a house-wife and a mother who juggles her life at home and yet goes on to successfully publish her first book. Excerpt: "November 7th.—Plant the indoor bulbs. Just as I am in the middle of them, Lady Boxe calls. I say, untruthfully, how nice to see her, and beg her to sit down while I just finish the bulbs. Lady B. makes determined attempt to sit down in armchair where I have already placed two bulb-bowls and the bag of charcoal, is headed off just in time, and takes the sofa." (The Diary of a Provincial Lady) E. M. Delafield (1890-1943) was a prolific English author who is best known for her autobiographical works like Zella Sees Herself, The Provincial Lady Series etc. which look at the lives of upper-middle class Englishwomen.

E. M. Delafield's largely autobiographical novel takes the form of a journal written by an upper-middle-class lady living in a Devonshire village. Written with humour, this charming novel is full of the peculiarities of daily life. The Provincial Lady of the title attempts to avoid disaster and prevent chaos from descending upon her household. But with a husband reluctant to do anything but doze behind The Times, mischievous children and trying servants, it's a challenge keeping up appearances on an inadequate income, particularly in front of the infuriating and haughty Lady Boxe. As witty and delightful today as when it was first published in 1930, Diary of a Provincial Lady is a brilliantly observed comic novel and an acknowledged classic.

This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition features an introduction by author and journalist Christina Hardyment.

"Zella Sees Herself" (1915) - Zella is a beautiful orphan who must come to terms with her mother's death in a largely hostile world. The Novel is largely autobiographical and the first written work of E. M. Delafield.
"The War-Workers" (1918) - The travails of working in a Supply Depot under the tyrannical control of Charmain Vivian, who meets her match in a newly arrived clergyman's daughter Grace Jones.
"Consequences" (1919) - A young woman entering a convent. Its heroine, Alex Clare, refuses to marry the only young man to make her an offer of marriage, and, finding herself regarded as a failure by society, must resort to convent life.
"Tension" (1920) - Pauline Marchrose is a successful candidate, a woman claiming to be 28 but probably in her early thirties, when women are only beginning to fight for their rights and for equal opportunities.
"The Heel of Achilles" (1921) - A middle-class young woman Lydia Raymond who intends to marry "above her" during the first world war in England while her daughter Jane rebels against her.
"Humbug: A Study in Education" (1922) - The protagonist Lilly is a charming character who in spite of believing in the goodness of things is bogged down by her family and society to conform.

When the editor of Time and Tide wanted some light "middles", preferably in serial form, E. M. Delafield promised to think of something to submit'. It was thus, in 1930, that her most popular and enduring work Diary of a Provincial Lady was written. This largely autobiographical novel which took the form of a journal of the life of an upper-middle class Englishwoman living mostly in a Devon village of the 1930s is a humorous account of a house-wife and a mother who juggles her life at home and yet goes on to successfully publish her first book. Excerpt: "November 7th.-Plant the indoor bulbs. Just as I am in the middle of them, Lady Boxe calls. I say, untruthfully, how nice to see her, and beg her to sit down while I just finish the bulbs. Lady B. makes determined attempt to sit down in armchair where I have already placed two bulb-bowls and the bag of charcoal, is headed off just in time, and takes the sofa." (The Diary of a Provincial Lady) E. M. Delafield (1890-1943) was a prolific English author who is best known for her autobiographical works like Zella Sees Herself, The Provincial Lady Series etc. which look at the lives of upper-middle class Englishwomen.

'January 22nd - Robert startles me at breakfast by asking if my cold - which he has hitherto ignored - is better. I reply that it has gone. Then why, he asks, do I look like that? Feel that life is wholly unendurable, and decide madly to get a new hat'
It's not easy being a Provincial Lady in Devonshire in the 1920s, juggling a grumpy husband, mischievous children and a host of domestic dilemmas - from rice mould to a petulant cook. But this Provincial Lady will not be defeated; not by wayward flower bulbs, not by unexpected houseguests, not even by the Blitz. She will continue to preside over the W.I., endure rain-drenched family picnics and succeed as a published author, all the while tending to her strawberries.
The Diary of a Provincial Lady is a brilliantly observed comic novel, as funny and fresh today as when it was first written.

Behind this rather prim title lies the hilarious fictional diary of a disaster-prone lady of the 1930s, and her attempts to keep her somewhat ramshackle household from falling into chaos: there's her husband Robert, who, when he's not snoozing behind The Times, does everything with grumbling recluctance; her gleefully troublesome children; and a succession of tricky sevants who invariably seem to gain the upper hand. And if her domestic trials are not enough, she must keep up appearances. Particularly with the maddeningly patronising Lady Boxe, whom our Provincial Lady eternally (and unsuccessfully) tries to compete with.

Behind this rather prim and proper title lies the hilarious fictional diary of a long-suffering, disaster-prone Devon lady of the 1930s, and her attempts to keep her somewhat ramshackle household from falling into chaos: there's her husband Robert, who, when he's not snoozing behind The Times, does everything with grumbling reluctance; her gleefully troublesome children; and a succession of tricky servants who invariably seem to gain the upper hand. And if her domestic trials were not enough, she must keep up appearances. Particularly with the maddeningly patronising Lady Boxe, whom the Provincial Lady eternally (and unsuccessfully) tries to compete with.

When Diary of a Provincial Lady was first published in 1933, critics on both sides of the Atlantic greeted it with enthusiasm. This charming, delightful and extremely funny book was named by booksellers in England the o.p. novel most deserving of republication.