Below Stairs

by Margaret Powell | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 0330535382 Global Overview for this book
Registered by asia_be_es of Uccle / Ukkel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on 2/19/2015
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
6 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by asia_be_es from Uccle / Ukkel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Thursday, February 19, 2015
Brilliantly evoking the long-vanished world of masters and servants portrayed in Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs, Margaret Powell’s classic memoir of her time in service, Below Stairs, is the remarkable true story of an indomitable woman who, though she served in the great houses of England, never stopped aiming high. Powell first arrived at the servants' entrance of one of those great houses in the 1920s. As a kitchen maid – the lowest of the low – she entered an entirely new world; one of stoves to be blacked, vegetables to be scrubbed, mistresses to be appeased, and bootlaces to be ironed. Work started at 5.30am and went on until after dark. It was a far cry from her childhood on the beaches of Hove, where money and food were scarce, but warmth and laughter never were. Yet from the gentleman with a penchant for stroking the housemaids’ curlers, to raucous tea-dances with errand boys, to the heartbreaking story of Agnes the pregnant under-parlormaid, fired for being seduced by her mistress’s nephew, Margaret’s tales of her time in service are told with wit, warmth, and a sharp eye for the prejudices of her situation. Margaret Powell's true story of a life spent in service is a fascinating “downstairs” portrait of the glittering, long-gone worlds behind the closed doors of Downton Abbey and 165 Eaton Place [us.macmillan.com]

Journal Entry 2 by asia_be_es at Legionowo, Mazowieckie Poland on Thursday, April 9, 2015
A fascinating account of life spent in service. Worth reading even if you 're not fond of "Downton Abbey" or "Upstairs, Downstairs".

Journal Entry 3 by asia_be_es at Legionowo, Mazowieckie Poland on Monday, April 20, 2015

Released 8 yrs ago (4/20/2015 UTC) at Legionowo, Mazowieckie Poland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I hope you'll get my book box tomorrow...with the best wishes of Happy International BookCrossing Day!

Journal Entry 4 by NowINkA at Płock, Mazowieckie Poland on Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Arrived safe and sound in today's mail. Thank you for passing it on!

Journal Entry 5 by NowINkA at Płock, Mazowieckie Poland on Friday, July 31, 2015
Lately, I've been thinking of watching 'Downton Abbey' from the start so I couldn't possibly read more suitable book as an introduction to that. It was an interesting insight into the great houses of 1920s London. And a quick and easy read, too.

The book was my choice for the July 2015 Ultimate Challenge. Theme: first and last letters.

Journal Entry 6 by NowINkA at Płock, Mazowieckie Poland on Friday, August 28, 2015

Released 8 yrs ago (8/28/2015 UTC) at Płock, Mazowieckie Poland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to weeder in exchange for a wishlist book. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 7 by weeder at Worthington, Ohio USA on Saturday, September 5, 2015
I know I'm going to love this book. Maybe, I can find some of her others as well. I have been a huge Downton Abbey fan over the years that I've come to understand more about the way of life during and after Victorian times. I know kitchen maids did difficult work for long hours.

Journal Entry 8 by weeder at Worthington, Ohio USA on Sunday, September 20, 2015
It's always interesting to hear about a life-style from someone who lived it herself. It made me more sympathetic with those who actually made a large estate run. I don't think the life of most kitchen maids was anything like that depicted for Daisy in Downton Abbey.

This little book is now on its way to faramir10 in Lubbock TX. I'd be happy to trade it for "Destination Unknown" by Agatha Christie. I've noticed Agatha Christie seems to be more popular in Eupope than in the US. Thanks for the request; I hope you enjoy the book.

Journal Entry 9 by weeder at Worthington, Ohio USA on Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Released 8 yrs ago (9/21/2015 UTC) at Worthington, Ohio USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Book was mailed today to faramir10 in Texas, US.

Journal Entry 10 by faramir10 at Lubbock, Texas USA on Thursday, September 24, 2015
Arrived today. Thank you.

Journal Entry 11 by faramir10 at Lubbock, Texas USA on Saturday, September 26, 2015
This is a well-written book that is easy to read. The author is clear and concise and doesn't use a lot of frilly words.
I find it hard to understand how wealthy people could treat the servants like they did. They need these people to do the grunt work to make these places run and then they treat them so poorly. It goes with the attitude that just because you have money means you are better than everyone else.
An excellent book that I had trouble putting down.

Journal Entry 12 by faramir10 at Lubbock, Texas USA on Friday, October 9, 2015
This went into the mail day before yesterday to mdm139 as the winner of a drawing. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.


Note: This is classified this as fiction and there is no way to change it. This is a non-fiction memoir.

Journal Entry 13 by asia_be_es at Uccle / Ukkel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Monday, October 12, 2015
faramir10, I've just changed the category. Thank you!

Journal Entry 14 by mdm139 at Las Vegas, Nevada USA on Friday, October 16, 2015
received in the mail today, thank you, it has been on my wish list for sometime now

Journal Entry 15 by mdm139 at Las Vegas, Nevada USA on Wednesday, December 23, 2015
finished reading today, I enjoyed her memoirs and unique perspective on being a household servant. Wish there were funny stories and a bit longer. She wrote other books, so if I ever get them I will be sure to read them too. Sending off for wish list tag game.

Journal Entry 16 by wingMyssCynwing at San Antonio, Texas USA on Friday, January 8, 2016
Woohoo! A wishlist book set in the era that my grandma was born in! I can't wait to read it.
My thanks to mdm139

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.