Lucia Won't Survive the Internet

Anyone else read those E.F. Benson books?

Lucia was larger-than-life. She exaggerated, stole ideas (never objects, unless you consider a guru or psychic medium objects), claimed acquaintances as dear friends (social climbing as an art form), was full of opinions that she broadcasted as facts--and nearly all of them were utter rot. The woman was self aggrandizing in a way that makes Chris Matthews look modest. Yet you end up rooting for her because she was magnificent.

Anyway, a woman like her can't last in the internet age because emails and posts catch up with her. Memories can be twisted--beautifully, too, in a uniquely creative manner that make you want to applaud -- but not actual words with her name attached to them.

Seriously, it's sort of sad. (I suppose there's an emphasis required on the "sort of.")

Comments

  1. Teresa Bodwell10:58 AM

    So--
    Was she an Auntie Mame sort of character?

    I wonder how Auntie Mame would do in the internet age.

    BTW, I ordered I DREAM OF DRAGONS at my local BN. Just got the e-mail last night that it is in, just as I'm leaving town. Now I'll have to wait until next week to pick it up. :-(

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kate11:12 AM

    I think Mame was more likable. Benson's characters tend to be less admirable. They're objects of mockery.

    I don't know why I like Lucia so much because she's no one I'd want to deal with and usually I don't like to read about people I wouldn't want to spend time with. (Murder mysteries and Dexter are the exception)

    Have fun on your trip, TB! (I hope)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:30 PM

    I think I know who you're talking about. Her name is all over Dearauthor and Smart bitches and Karen Scot's blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kate2:56 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kate2:58 PM

    Let's just say...
    um...
    Karen spells her last name Scott.

    ReplyDelete

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