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FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Books for Downton Abbey Devotees
Anglophilia seems to be at fever pitch lately, thanks to Downton Abbey, the superb British period drama about the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and the servants at their Yorkshire estate. The show, which airs on PBS’s Masterpiece, recently won the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries along with a slew of Emmy Awards. If you can’t get enough of the drama at Downton, check out one of these titles.

 

Below StairsBelow Stairs by Margaret Powell
Originally published in 1968, this memoir of a teenage kitchen maid working in grand English homes has climbed the bestseller lists in Britain recently, thanks to the popularity of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs.

The Children’s Book: A Novel by A. S. Byatt
Byatt conjures the Edwardian era in this complex novel focused on two aristocratic families. Spanning from 1895 to just after World War II, The Children’s Book evokes the cultural, historical, and cultural changes of the period.

InheritaInheritancence: The Story of Knole and the Sackvilles by Robert Sackville-West
Since 1604, the house at Knole has been home to thirteen generations of one aristocratic family – the Sackvilles. This lively tour of Knole (one of the largest private houses in England) and biographies of four centuries worth of inhabitants gives readers a glimpse of Britain’s aristocratic heritage.

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Set in England between the wars, The House at Riverton is the story of an upper-crust family and their longtime maid, Grace, who witnesses shocking events during a society party, and keeps them secret for decades.

The American HeiressThe American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin 
Like Downton’s Lady Grantham, wealthy American Cora Cash marries a titled but cash-strapped English duke and must learn to navigate an unfamiliar social scene full of traps and betrayals.

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes 
A celebration of all things Downton, this lavish book includes on-set photos, research from the production team, and historical information about life in the Edwardian age.

Add a comment
(2 comments)
posted by Briana, Evergreen Library

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Comments

Clayton Moore said, on Feb. 13 at 1:53PM
You'll also want to include Downton creator Juilian Fellowes' novels "Snobs" and "Past Imperfect."

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Briana said, on Feb. 13 at 2:16PM
Great suggestion, Clayton!

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