A very funny and acutely observed account of Edwardian domestic life.

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.

Designed to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift-editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.

I carry the Macmillan Collector's Library edition, which is tiny, in my handbag, to dip into when I'm stuck somewhere. It has never let me down. It is as fresh and sparkling as a champagne flute