Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey - Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon

Title: Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey
Author: Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon
Pages: 320
Published: 2013
Challenges: Outdo Yourself
Genre: Non-fiction, Biography, History
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: Sometimes the facts are even more extraordinary than the fiction...

This book tells the story of Lady Catherine, a beautiful American girl who became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the setting for Julian Fellowes' award-winning drama Downton Abbey.

Charming and charismatic, Catherine caught the eye of Lord Porchester (or 'Porchey', as he was known) when she was just 20 years old, and wearing a pale yellow dress at a ball. She had already turned down 14 proposals before she eventually married Porchey in 1922. But less than a year later Porchey’s father died suddenly, and he became the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, inheriting a title and a Castle that changed both their lives forever.

Catherine found herself suddenly in charge of a small army of household staff, and hosting lavish banquets and weekend house parties. Although the couple were very much in love, considerable challenges lay ahead for Catherine. They were immediately faced with the task of saving Highclere when debts threatened to destroy the estate. As the 1920s moved to a close, Catherine’s adored brother died and Catherine began to lose her husband to the distractions London had to offer. When the Second World War broke out, life at the Castle would never be the same again. (via Goodreads)

Thoughts: It was okay.  I felt that the first few chapters were pretty good, but once it got into the middle third of the book, it kinda hit a rut and it kinda lagged.  The final third was interesting to a point and felt that the author basically rehashed things that one can grab from anywhere and did get a little dull at times, even though she did put in more personal information about the family at the time.  If I wasn't a fan of Downton Abbey, I don't know if I would have finished the book

Bottom line: I would recommend the book to those are fans of Downton Abbey and are interested in the history of Highclere Castle (where the show is filmed at and whose lovely interiors you see on the screen). Recommended.

Rating: 3/5

Pages for 2013: 18, 601

Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey - Emma Rowley

Title: Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey
Athor: Emma Rowley
Pages: 288
Published: 2013
Challenges: None
Genre: Movie tie-in, Non-fiction
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: Gain unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Downton Abbey in this official Season 4 tie-in book, complete with never-before-seen photos giving fans insight into the making of the runaway hit.

Expertly crafted with generous inside knowledge and facts, this book will delve into the inspiration behind the details seen on screen, the choice of locations, the music and much more. Step inside the props cupboard or the hair and make-up truck and catch a glimpse of the secret backstage world. In-depth interviews and exclusive photos give insight into the actors’ experiences on set as well as the celebrated creative team behind the award-winning drama. Straight from the director’s chair, this is the inside track on all aspects of the making of the show.

Thoughts: A very nice put together book that gives the reader a look behind-the-scenes to Downton Abbey.  I got through the book in a few hours and thought it was interesting to look and read about the various aspects of how they put the show together, especially the food.  The producers have hired an actual chef to make the food that one sees on the screen and she has to make a number of the same thing in order to make sure that the food looks flawless with each take that is made with the food and have to make sure that some of it only have a few items to put on by the actors who portray the kitchen staff (and yes, the food is real).    They also talk about the clothing and the hair and a number of aspects that are interesting to know about it, including the bell board, which is pulled by somebody behind the board.  They also talk about the sets that they use and the various locations used in the show.

Bottom line: I would probably recommend the book to fans of the show who would like to know more about the behind-the-scenes stuff.   Recommended.

Rating: 4/5

Pages for 2013: 17,665

The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era - Jessica Fellowes, Matthew Sturgis

Title: The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era
Authors: Jessica Fellowes, Matthew Sturgis
Pages: 320
Published: 2012
Genre: Non-fiction
Challenges: None
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: The Chronicles of Downton Abbey, carefully pieced together at the heart and hearth of the ancestral home of the Crawleys, takes us deeper into the story of every important member of the Downton estate.This lavish, entirely new book focuses on each character individually, examining their motivations, their actions, and the inspirations behind them. An evocative combination of story, history, and behind-the-scenes drama, it will bring fans even closer to the secret, beating heart of the house. (via Goodreads.com)

Thoughts: It was an fairly easy read and I was able to get through it during the course of an evening. I enjoyed reading about the motivations of the various characters that have appeared in the show.  I also liked the beautiful photos that accompany each character.  While there were a few spoilers to people who in North America who had received it for Christmas and hadn't seen the show.  Love the little tidbits that accompany each character.

Bottom line: If you enjoy Downton Abbey, you will probably enjoy this as well, as it provides insight to a lot of the characters, both up and down, that appear on the series, without divulging too much about what happens during season 3.  There are also quotes from people who worked in service.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages for 2013: 1318

The World of Downton Abbey - Jessica Fellowes

Title: The World of Downton Abbey
Author: Jessica Fellowes, Julian Fellowes (foreword)
Pages: 304
Published: 2011
Challenges: 2012 Support Your Library
Genre: Movie tie-in, non-fiction
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series Downton Abbey

April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't.

Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history. (via Chapters.ca)

Thoughts:  I really enjoyed it.  Yes, I am a fan of Downton Abbey, but I also liked it because of the historical aspect that the book covers and it was interesting how they were able to develop the show during that historical period.  I also liked it because it was interspersed with real stories of individuals who went through what the Crawley's went through and how it was a concern if there wasn't a direct male heir to inherit the estate and how money like Cora's was able to basically save the estate.  I also liked the various quotes from the show and also the research that it took to create such a great show. It was also interesting to find out that Julian Fellowes also did the screenplay for Gosford Park (Maggie Smith is also in that film) and the contrast between Downton Abbey and Gosford Park, in that Gosford Park takes place when those sort of estates and that the life that is portrayed in Downton Abbey was basically gone by the time Gosford Park takes place.  Loved the many photos that were used from the show and the era that really showed the amount of research that has gone into the show. 

Bottom line: I would recommend this book for those of you who are fans of the show or are fans of the era about 100 years ago.  While it may seem fluffy, it is actually quite insightful into the life of the upper class of about 100 years ago.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages for 2012: 9185

If you have read this book, what did you think of it?