Below Stairs

The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Downton Abbey'

By: Margaret Powell

Narrated by: Mary Wells

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

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 5:30 am 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.

©1968 Margaret Powell and Leigh Crutchley (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Didn't expect this to be so funny!

Really fascinating glimpse of an era recently brought to life by Downton Abbey. Narrator was excellent. Story was well-told and I found myself laughing out loud at the author's dry, British humor.

lovely narrative about life in service

Loved the narration. Lively storytelling with wit & fast paced dialogue to keep you interested

Excellent Narration And Great Story

If you enjoy excellent narration and want to hear another example of such, then this book is most certainly for you! Mary Jane Wells does an outstanding job and really brings the book to life. At one point I thought that she had perhaps written in the book herself because she read it as if she really did live it, and that I think makes her a master of her craft.

The content of the book was also excellent and really gave me a better understanding of where the writers of Downton Abbey were able to get some of their ideas.

Overall: excellent!

Lovely

This is a collection of little stories from her life, there is no overarching storyline like you would find in a novel. But it’s real life. I love these kind of books, it’s like listening to your grandparents tell stories of their lives. The narrator was great too.

Very sweet story

As a fan of Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey, I thought I would give this book a try. I really enjoyed the honest story telling of the author. Nothing was sacred even in the prim and proper aristocratic households of England. It is also an encouraging story of not allowing your beginning in life dictate your future.

Wonderful!

Loved this book! Well written and absolutely fascinating. Even my teenagers would go quite still and stop talking to listen.

Very good insight into historical class based system

Very enlightening as to how those working class members truly saw themselves and their employers. I appreciated the small tidbits about her social life or moral restrictions.

She does seem angry a good deal throughout and that was a surprise. It should not have been, but it was.

LOVED IT

Delightful listen, I listened to the audible version and it was JUST so well read and fun.

Interesting and entertaining

This story was enlightening as to the life of house staff. it was told with some humor and was enjoyable.

nearly perfect

one of the best narrations of any book I've ever listened to. very engaging and I feel like I learned a lot and enjoyed myself throughout this story. I wish it had been longer