Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Habits of the House  By  cover art

Habits of the House

By: Fay Weldon
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.99

Buy for $14.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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

What listeners say about Habits of the House

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    84
  • 4 Stars
    86
  • 3 Stars
    84
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    18
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    122
  • 4 Stars
    72
  • 3 Stars
    56
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    13
Story
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    76
  • 4 Stars
    63
  • 3 Stars
    81
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    22

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Unlistenable--from a reader who loves this genre

What disappointed you about Habits of the House?

Early on in this novel, one character beseeches another to stop yelling. I felt the same way. In fact, stop narrating this book altogether!

I am an avid reader, who enjoys everything from Henry James to EM Forster to Ha Jin and Ruth Ozeki, from Jonathan Tropper to Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline Winspeare's Masie Dobbs series. I also enjoy great history books such as Adam Hochschild's brilliant "To End All Wars" and Lynne Olsen's captivating "Citizens of London." In other words, I'll read almost anything.


Except this book. I regret I'll not be able to get through it, due solely to the strident narration. I liked the story and found these characters to be well-imagined and sadly laughable. I would like to know how it all works out.

But I simply cannot get past Katherine Kellgren's voice, which is best characterized as barking. Constantly. It softens only occasionally. It is so harsh, so breakneck, so forced into its wryness, it literally set my teeth on edge.

In scrolling through other reviews, I was frankly relieved to see other readers had similar reactions. I don't like to criticize narration. But I must. It is solely due to the narrator that I will not finish this book.

What could Fay Weldon have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Weldon has done a nice job of showcasing the end of an era, with characters who are so blind to the changes coming their way. I am assuming this trend continues throughout the book. But I'll never know, because I won't be able to get through it due to the narrator's grating, shouting interpretation.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Katherine Kellgren?

Oh. So many options there. Almost anyone would have been better. In fact, maybe this is somewhat the fault of the director of this production, who could have encouraged Ms. Kellgren to tone it down a notch. In voicing Isabelle, Ms. Kellgren clearly has a nice tone and is a seasoned reader. But between Isabelle's few moments, there was the horrible barking of Rosina, the lower barking of Robert, the annoying barking of the heir to the earldom.

Sadly, it all just went wrong here. At least for me.

What character would you cut from Habits of the House?

Cannot answer this as I must confess to not being able to get through it.

Any additional comments?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The same is true when it comes to hearing.

Clearly, as evidenced by some enthusiastic reviews, Katherine Kellgren has her fans. She lost me on this one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

skip this and go to the primary sources

This was boring--slim on plot and characters with any personality whatsoever. I find it hard to believe that it is only one of a forthcoming trilogy. If it is meant, as I suspect, to appeal to "Downton Abbey" or "Upstairs, Downstairs" fans in the "off-season," then editors are either severely underestimating the fans' intelligence levels or I am overestimating them. I hope the former, but fear the latter.

Do your brain a favor and use your credit on Edith Wharton or Henry James. If you want to know more about servant's lives, read any of the well-researched books or memoirs: "Up and Down Stairs," by Jeremy Musson, or "Below Stairs," by Margaret Powell.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

skip this and go to the primary sources

This was boring--slim on plot and characters with any personality whatsoever. I find it hard to believe that it is only one of a forthcoming trilogy. If it is meant, as I suspect, to appeal to "Downton Abbey" or "Upstairs, Downstairs" fans in the "off-season," then editors are either severely underestimating the fans' intelligence levels or I am overestimating them. I hope the former, but fear the latter.

Do your brain a favor and use your credit on Edith Wharton or Henry James. If you want to know more about servant's lives, read any of the well-researched books or memoirs: "Up and Down Stairs," by Jeremy Musson, or "Below Stairs," by Margaret Powell.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Aimless, silly and unlistenable

It is not the fault of the narrator, but entirely that of the author that "Habits" is rubbishy drivel.
It is pieces of shapeless verbal frippery like this book that makes me wonder anew at the dreck that gets published. I bought this Fay Weldon on an Audible $4.95 sale, mistaking the author for one recommended by a friend. "Habits of the House", not worth a plastic penny.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, awful narrator

The story is a good one, though a little thin on detail: or rather, with great detail in some parts, then sudden shifts with a great deal of action not described, but finished. Still, a good period story. The narrator, however, is awful: why employ someone with such a terrible phony British accent? It would be better to have it read out in straight American accent if a true British reader cannot be found.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful