Habits of the House

By: Fay Weldon

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

From the award-winning novelist and writer of Upstairs Downstairs, the launch of a brilliant new trilogy about what life was really like for masters and servants before the world of Downton Abbey

As the Season of 1899 comes to an end, the world is poised on the brink of profound, irrevocable change. The Earl of Dilberne is facing serious financial concerns. The ripple effects spread to everyone in the household: Lord Robert, who has gambled unwisely on the stock market and seeks a place in the Cabinet; his unmarried children, Arthur, who keeps a courtesan, and Rosina, who keeps a parrot in her bedroom; Lord Robert's wife Isobel, who orders the affairs of the household in Belgrave Square; and Grace, the lady's maid who orders the life of her mistress.

Lord Robert can see no financial relief to an already mortgaged estate, and, though the Season is over, his thoughts turn to securing a suitable wife (and dowry) for his son. The arrival on the London scene of Minnie, a beautiful Chicago heiress with a reputation to mend, seems the answer to all their prayers.

As the writer of the pilot episode of the original Upstairs, Downstairs—Fay Weldon brings a deserved reputation for magnificent storytelling. With wit and sympathy—and no small measure of mischief—Habits of the House plots the interplay of restraint and desire, manners and morals, reason and instinct.

©2012 Fay Weldon (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“With a tony accent and wry humor, Katherine Kellgren narrates this story of an upper-class family on the verge of losing the life its members have always known…Written by the author of ‘Upstairs Downstairs,' Habits of the House will delight fans of ‘Downton Abbey' and those who enjoy dry wit coupled with excellent narration.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Narrator Katherine Kellgren creates an amazing variety of voices for the numerous characters both British and American…Kellgren captures the subtle humor and the satire in author Fay Weldon's writing.” —Sound Commentary

“Narrator Kellgren creates distinct voices for all involved: servants, aristocracy and wealthy, title-seeing Americans.” —The Plain Dealer

Pretty Thin Soup

If you're not tired of Downton Abbey and need to catch up on the 1899 Belgravian gossip this may be the book for you. It involves a clutch of matrons and maids nattering about clothes and what to serve thePrince of Wales when (and if) he comes to dinner. All told in the worn style of supercilious irony (e.g. Women "produce" children in this novel, they just can't "have" them) that should have gone out with Wodehouse

A Downtonlike story read by my favorite narrator?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I found it a light, fun tale. Just what I needed!

Would you be willing to try another book from Fay Weldon? Why or why not?

I plan to check in to her other offers.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

I was saddened to read a poor review by someone else which prompted me to write one myself! I LOVE Katherine Kellgren and since falling in love with her Bloody Jack characters have searched her out and will continue listening and enjoying her narration! Keep up your excellent work Katherine, I enjoy you SOOOOO!

Do you think Habits of the House needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Sure.

If You Like Downton Abbey

This novel by prolific British novelist, Fay Weldon, is enjoyable and a fun listen. Each chapter is headed by the time and date - maybe some listeners might not like that, but I found it helped me keep track of the plot. This is like Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs as we are introduced to characters from both the upper and lower strata of English society during the Edwardian years. I liked it enough to continue on with the trilogy.

It took awhile for me to get acclimated to Katherine Kellgren's voice, but then I enjoyed her reading.

Read for narrator, Kellgren wonderful, story eh

I actually found this audiobook while browsing recordings by one of my favorite narrators, Katherine Kellgren. This book happened to showcase her talents for many character voices - she can do so many carried British dialects, American dialects, both females and males, and sound great. This book had them - the traditional aristocracy, their servants of various backgrounds, the American heiress and her somewhat uncouth mother... All beautifully and seamlessly brought to life.

The story was very Downton Abbey, and no surprise. Though, the family portrayed here has starker issues if you ask me, with such bad financial management and the men's extracurricular activities. The composition was interesting - following the different parties throughout their days as the events transpired. Funny how so many people who live in the same house could regard and deal with the same problems so differently. A not inaccurate portrayal of the lifestyle of the time, I'm sure. And I actually learned a bit I hadn't known about the royal family and 1899 world affairs; woot for the part of historical fiction, heh.

Overall a good read for fans of the upstairs-downstairs style or anything generally on late Victorian society. The only part I didn't care for was the scene with Flora - just went too far in descriptions (not thoroughly and explicitly graphic, but at least highly suggestive and around the edges of an activity I found appalling); not to my tastes, and I'm sure not at all proper by Isobel's standards either.

And the sudden jump startled me at the end of the book- I wish Weldon hadn't just skipped a week of events, rather gave the results as a society news story, but all of the loose ends were tied. Will consider reading the sequels, but am not feeling compelled to do so immediately - the style just wasn't urgently gripping in that way, but it kinda grows on you, so I'll let it sit for a while before revisiting the Dilborns.

Excellent start, poor finish

What did you like best about Habits of the House? What did you like least?

Good dialogue, good attention to detail of the period. The characters were well described. I liked the twists and turns. My biggest complaint is the abrupt finish. It seems as if the author had reached her word count, and just wanted to be done. So a "Deus Maccia" (sp?) device is used and in two paragraphs everything is settled, done, fini. Infuriatingly, simplistic conclusion.

Would you be willing to try another book from Fay Weldon? Why or why not?

I have read others, was much more impressed.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Great range of voices and accents.

Good story made GREAT by an excellent narrator

Would you listen to Habits of the House again? Why?

Not a lot of plot, but tons of fascinating character, each performed to perfection by Katherine Kellgren. I chose this book because I'm missing "Downton Abbey" and because I will listen to anything read by this narrator. She does not simply read the words, she breathes life into each character. It is another faultless performance!

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Katherine Kellgren creates such compelling and fully realized characters! It's difficult to believe that one person is playing all of these wonderful character.

Narrator diminishes and entertaining book

The story it's self is entertaining enough. It ends rather awkwardly and the description of the book doesn't exactly line up with the actual story but that's OK because the story itself is just as good as what the expectation had been. It's the narrator who makes this a difficult listen. Several people heard me listening to this book and each one commented on how bad the voice was. The accent was over exaggerated and at times some of the voices sounded screechy. If you can stand the different accents, you would enjoy this book well enough. But that's a big if.

Hilarious!

If you could sum up Habits of the House in three words, what would they be?

hilarious rendering of life below and above stairs in a Victorian society household.

What other book might you compare Habits of the House to and why?

Same time, different social strata in many books by Anne Perry.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Her voices were priceless.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh out loud.

Not a good reader

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. The reader. She reads as if there are no commas or periods. Her British accent sounds false and contrived. She really is ruining a good story by her style of reading. And she should slow down her pace.

What other book might you compare Habits of the House to and why?

The Age of Innocent. It has the same feel but the English Aristocrats are looking for money to bail out their debts and to maintain their way of life.

How could the performance have been better?

If the reader could slow her pace and read with a better British accent.

Could you see Habits of the House being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It would be perfect for Master Piece Theater!

Any additional comments?

Overall, the story is very good.

Not quite Downton

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you like Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs this book is a good one

What did you like best about this story?

its a little funny

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

I love her voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

not quite