The Diary of a Provincial Lady
Penguin Classics
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The Diary of a Provincial Lady
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Narrated by:
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Kirsty Besterman
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By:
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E. M. Delafield
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
This Penguin Classic is performed by Kirsty Besterman, an experienced TV and theatre actress known for her leading role as Lady Macbeth in the National Theatre Tour, as well as a number of roles with Shakespeare's Globe and the RSC.
'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.
Public Domain (P)2019 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
I re-read, for the nth time, E.M. Delafield's dry, caustic Diary of a Provincial Lady, and howled with laughter (India Knight)
What listeners say about The Diary of a Provincial Lady
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Isobel
- 05-08-22
Wonderful writing, narration not to my taste
I adore these books, but the slightly slack vowels of this narrator do not convey the essential upper middle class nature of the “Lady” in question to me. I much prefer the crisp delivery in the version of Georgina Sutton. I bought this version in order to have all the books together but the delivery has a modern twang to it that interferes with my enjoyment.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amelia
- 16-03-20
Thoroughly enjoyable
What a wonderful book. I could relate to so many of the Provincial Lady’s worries and joys, and laughed out loud listening to her tales. It is incredible to think how modern and relevant her musings are 80 years on. Loved it and didn’t want it to end.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Polly De Giorgi
- 02-11-24
Fabulously observed and very entertaining
Very very well read, a real tonic that reminds you that life is is funny and give you a bit of perspective and a sense of joy
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Annie
- 24-07-21
Excellent
This is one of the most, if not the most, entertaining audiobooks I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. I was so sad when it ended. It's as relevant today as when it was written. The narrator was truly marvellous, she enhanced the enjoyment of the book no end and brought it to life in a way that few narrators can.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience and one which is highly recommended to others,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DVBUK
- 20-02-22
Wonderfully Amusing
An understated yet totally engrossing tale. Very funny in a quiet and gentle way. Great performance.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-12-22
Perfect
Brilliantly read, gentle English wit, if your tastes run to PG and Pymm this is perfect
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Redpath
- 11-11-24
So genteel and life affirming
Turn off the news, forget the present, close your eyes and listen to the past. It’s amazing how the words of a middle class mother from the early 20th century can resonate in 2024. And our thoughts and worries and inner uncertainties are no different from a bygone age!! Enjoy
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Seagull
- 13-05-21
Definitely worth getting
I first came across the Provincial Lady years ago, and was pleased to find that these audiobooks do her full justice. The reader brings out the full humour of the writing and, for the cost of just one credit, struck me as terrific value. Would highly recommend.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Wickham Woman
- 12-02-24
Wrong voice
The Diary is a wonderful book, wickedly funny and witty. Sadly, this audio recording is a disappointment because the reader’s voice is all wrong. It is too modern, rather arch and too knowing, so a lot of the subtlety and small class-based nuances of the original are lost. I should have listened to the sample.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Pamela
- 03-09-20
Has a charm!
Yes this certainly has a period charm and is full of historical interest to that time. And undoubtedly is an ideal listen for someone convalescing or if one is feeling a little fragile and one needs a comforting listen. But my first major gripe is that the narrator who is portraying a woman of a particular rank and class consistently mispronounces words. Maybe the producer should be blamed for not correcting her either way it's very jarring to hear plaid pronounced as played which maybe sounds posher to someone's idea or Aldous as Ald you owse. I shall not give more examples but leave that to the listener. There is a Mitford-esque charm but lacks the wit and depth.
And unfortunately listening to the Diary books as a collection it soon becomes very transparent the constant repetition of the same ideas over and over again e.g. the Vicar's wife asking for ridiculous items and or favours to be done. So perhaps might be better to do in parts.
Ultimately this is certainly a matter of taste and preference and for me was not hilarious or even mildly funny. And although compared to P G Wodehouse Jerome K Jerome and Diary of a Nobody I find this incomprehensible as those to me are laugh out loud funny but this not so for me.
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7 people found this helpful