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Review
'Anyone who enjoyed Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs will relish this feisty memoir' --Dame Eileen Atkins
'A nurse worked hard, but a skivvy worked harder - brought to life in this wonderful book' --Jennifer Worth, author of the Call the Midwife trilogy
'Despite Powell's cheerful voice, her depiction of life as a kitchen maid shows that it was far from rosy...her memoirs are spirited and heart-warming because of her, not because of her subject.' --Daily Express' Christopher Silvester
'Witty, wise and wonderfully cynical, Margaret's story is in a class of its own.' --Lancashire Evening Post
'A nurse worked hard, but a skivvy worked harder - brought to life in this wonderful book' --Jennifer Worth, author of the Call the Midwife trilogy
'Despite Powell's cheerful voice, her depiction of life as a kitchen maid shows that it was far from rosy...her memoirs are spirited and heart-warming because of her, not because of her subject.' --Daily Express' Christopher Silvester
'Witty, wise and wonderfully cynical, Margaret's story is in a class of its own.' --Lancashire Evening Post
Product Description
A compelling and colourful memoir that takes the reader inside the forgotten world of domestic service
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This first part of Margaret Powell's memoirs was originally published in 1968. With the interest that has been shown in such things as Downton Abbey, and the Christmas special of Upstairs, Downstairs it was about time that this book was back in circulation.
Margaret Powell was born in 1907 and this book tells of her life growing up in Hove in a working class family, the need she had to leave school as early as possible to bring in money thus preventing her from higher education. After a few jobs at 15, Margaret went into the world of domestic service. If like me you come from a working class family then it is likely that you have had now deceased relatives that also were in the same position, and have probably heard stories such as Margaret's of growing up and going to work.
From starting off in the lowest maids position Margaret eventually did become a cook, a highly important position. In this memoir we are shown how life really was, with no thrills added, what things had to be put up with, and the sheer drudgery of life. As the book progresses we do see a change in the way that the domestic staff are treated, which I know some may not think is much, but it was definitely a massive improvement. If you want some idea of what being in service meant, and not some glamourised tv drama version, then this book should interest you immensely.
Margaret Powell was born in 1907 and this book tells of her life growing up in Hove in a working class family, the need she had to leave school as early as possible to bring in money thus preventing her from higher education. After a few jobs at 15, Margaret went into the world of domestic service. If like me you come from a working class family then it is likely that you have had now deceased relatives that also were in the same position, and have probably heard stories such as Margaret's of growing up and going to work.
From starting off in the lowest maids position Margaret eventually did become a cook, a highly important position. In this memoir we are shown how life really was, with no thrills added, what things had to be put up with, and the sheer drudgery of life. As the book progresses we do see a change in the way that the domestic staff are treated, which I know some may not think is much, but it was definitely a massive improvement. If you want some idea of what being in service meant, and not some glamourised tv drama version, then this book should interest you immensely.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many people talk about the `good old days', well, if you were a servant in the 20's there were very few good days. This book offers a startling and quite shocking insight into the real lives of those unlucky enough to slave from dawn to dusk in subterranean conditions for a pittance. I don't blame Mrs Powell for sounding off about the unfairness of life then. All credit to her, she made her own way from being a kitchen maid to cook, then wife and mother and then turned what could have been everyday memories into a bestseller. Thoroughly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
another time another world
Disappointing as the new version of Upstairs Downstairs is on TV, and now that Downton Abbey is off air, it is a treat to revisit the world of Margaret Powell and her vivid stories... Read more
Published 2 months ago by herladyship
Not what I expected
I read the reviews, and thought it sounded interesting. I rarely don't finish a book, but this one was really hard work, and I only got about half way - maybe it got better further... Read more
Published 4 months ago by dpc1l
Them and Us
Before reading Margaret Powell's book Below Stairs I think it is prudent to note that the book was first published in 1968. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Joanne D'Arcy
Fascinating glimpse into the lives of those "downstairs"
I always enjoy these real life stories of people who lived (not always easy lives) in the early part of the twentieth century. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Keen Reader
Downton Abbey made working in service too romantic
This interesting and entertaining book was very true to reality. Working as a maid often was as bad as it describes. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Oregano
Real life Downton
I enjoyed this book, & read it in an afternoon. It was fascinating to read real life experiences of domestic service. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Beauty on the Fire
Service was the key
The book arrived as described but I was a little disappointed in it as a read. Having composed a musical "Below Stairs" that has had 11 productions, each raising money for cancer... Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Lewis
Interesting read
Found this an interesting take on social history.
A bit downbeat at times, but in the authors defence she does apologise for 'having a go' most of the time.... Read more
A bit downbeat at times, but in the authors defence she does apologise for 'having a go' most of the time.... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Anne Wilson
Interesting from start to end!
It's true what it says on the front cover of this book that people who enjoyed "Downton Abbey" and "Upstairs Downstairs" will love this book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Emily
expected more......
This was quite pleasant but I expected more really.It all soon became what felt like a listing of job after job she went to and you never really got to know the people she worked... Read more
Published 11 months ago by make up girl
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