'Financial situation very low indeed, and must positively take steps to send assortment of old clothes to second-hand dealer for disposal. Am struck by false air of opulence with which I don fur coat, white gloves, and new shoes-one very painful-and get into the car. Irony of life thus exemplified' E. M. Delafield's beloved narrator delights readers with her accounts of domestic mishaps, neighbourhood gossip, and attempts to balance family life in a Devon village with mental stimulation in London. Diary of a Provincial Lady is written in diary form and chronicles the struggles of its middle-class narrator to manage the education of her two children, keeping servants, a condescending local aristocracy, commitments to local charity drives and Women's Institutes, and an almost nonverbal country husband. This edition puts the work in context for readers and includes an introduction situating Delafield within women's history, notes to identify historical and literary references, a chronology of Delafield's life, and other material sure to help readers enjoy the novel whether it's their first reading or a return to this beloved work. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.