The Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield is a classic comic gem, offering a humorous glimpse into the life of an upper-middle-class woman juggling domestic chaos, social expectations, and a stubbornly idle husband in 1930s Devon. With biting wit and endearing self-deprecation, the unnamed narrator records her everyday struggles—from managing servants and finances to keeping up appearances in front of the formidable Lady Boxe. Often seen as a forerunner to Bridget Jones, this abridged edition brings together the best of her first two diary-style volumes, perfect for fans of British humour, vintage fiction, and charming social satire.