Definitely House at Riverton!! It’s set in the same time period, England, with an aristocratic family and all of their servants. I loved it! Side note- My family and I took a trip to Highclere Castle this summer and explored the setting of Downton Abbey. It was amazing!!!
I’ll try to think of the name but I read s book that was a memoir of a cook from that era. I think it was the inspiration for the upstairs, downstairs show.
If you want to read a sweet easy read then I suggest What we were doing when Downton Abbey is on by Wendy Wax. Takes place in Atlanta just a different type of read maybe not what you are looking for, but it is fun.
The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan was a really good story set in a village in England during World War II. Not quite what you asked for, but it’s about breaking with generations of tradition in the face of current events. You should try it ?
Over A Hot Stove by Flo Wadlow, and Aprons and Silver Spoons by Mollie Moran. Both very vivid and enjoyable accounts of life in domestic service from the late 1920s-1930s. Their experiences are fascinating to read about. The Lady’s Maid by Rosina Harrison is also very interesting, she was lady’s maid to Nancy Astor for many years and her book is very enjoyable.
The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock. Before Downton Abbey, there was Abingdon Pryory, the elegant country home of the Grevilles—a titled English family who, along with their servants, see their world turned upside down when England goes to war. Once their well-kept lawns and whirling social seasons give way to the horrors of World War I, no one, upstairs or downstairs, is left untouched. For fans of sweeping historical fiction, the reissue of Phillip Rock’s New York Times bestseller The Passing Bells is a breathtaking family saga not to be missed.
Oh my lands, yes! Anything by Nancy Mitford is exactly what you are looking for. She lived and wrote at the same time as Downton Abby, so her books are spot on. Not historical fiction – which never strikes the proper chord – she actually WAS one of these “types” of people – the fancy house, the fancy title and so forth. She knows of what she writes.
Then, if you get hooked on Nancy Mitford – as I did – maybe you would like to do a little research on her and her sisters – unbelievable lives! Her youngest sister, Deborah, died somewhat recently, and her books (autobiographical in nature) are also wonderful. All of the Mitford Sisters lived HUGE lives – look them up! Here is the wiki page about Nancy, as a starting point. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Mitford
Also, a memoir – Rose – by Rosina Harris – this woman was the lady’s maid to Lady Astor who also lived during this exact time frame and wrote of her experiences. Fascinating, to be sure! Once again, not “historical fiction” but actual history!
Kate Morton’s House at Riverton (may not be exactly right title)
Yes! This one reminded me of Downton so much!
Still haven’t read this!
Definitely House at Riverton!! It’s set in the same time period, England, with an aristocratic family and all of their servants. I loved it! Side note- My family and I took a trip to Highclere Castle this summer and explored the setting of Downton Abbey. It was amazing!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Longbourn-Jo-Baker/dp/0345806972/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514512315&sr=1-1&keywords=longbourne+jo+baker
Longbourn is fabulous!
Loved that show!! I’m adding @Leslie ‘s suggestion to my Amazon Book Wish List!!
Belgravia by Julian Fellowes….same guy.
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
I’ll try to think of the name but I read s book that was a memoir of a cook from that era. I think it was the inspiration for the upstairs, downstairs show.
Was it Below Stairs by Margaret Powell?
Yes and I just saw it listed on the buzzfeed list someone posted!
@Mary I think she wrote two books.
The Duchess of Duke Street. PBS but it’s back. ??
Upstairs, Downstairs.
Margaret Powell’s books are charming!
https://www.buzzfeed.com/stmartinspress/14-books-to-read-if-you-love-downton-abbey-7rut?utm_term=.kunxL3lwxJ#.wtbrEVLMrB
This one is a stretch for D A but it is a very fun read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18885674-the-scandalous-sisterhood-of-prickwillow-place
I listened to this audiobook and it was so great!
I just bought this!
Following
Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford.
Pride & Prejudice
If you want to read a sweet easy read then I suggest What we were doing when Downton Abbey is on by Wendy Wax. Takes place in Atlanta just a different type of read maybe not what you are looking for, but it is fun.
The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan was a really good story set in a village in England during World War II. Not quite what you asked for, but it’s about breaking with generations of tradition in the face of current events. You should try it ?
Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh
Forsyte Saga – John Galsworthy
The old one. Black and white.
Be sure to get a copy which has the family tree in it. I just about went nuts until I realized that I could get a copy with the family tree.
Flowers of the Field, Downton Abbey type family during WWI. I think authors name is Sarah Harrison?
Chilbury ladies choir. WWII, set in England. Loved it
Gone with the Wind )
‘Habits of the House’ (Love & Inheritance, book 1) by Fay Weldon and quite different from many of her other titles ….
Over A Hot Stove by Flo Wadlow, and Aprons and Silver Spoons by Mollie Moran. Both very vivid and enjoyable accounts of life in domestic service from the late 1920s-1930s. Their experiences are fascinating to read about. The Lady’s Maid by Rosina Harrison is also very interesting, she was lady’s maid to Nancy Astor for many years and her book is very enjoyable.
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson is an excellent Downton-ish type story!
The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock. Before Downton Abbey, there was Abingdon Pryory, the elegant country home of the Grevilles—a titled English family who, along with their servants, see their world turned upside down when England goes to war. Once their well-kept lawns and whirling social seasons give way to the horrors of World War I, no one, upstairs or downstairs, is left untouched. For fans of sweeping historical fiction, the reissue of Phillip Rock’s New York Times bestseller The Passing Bells is a breathtaking family saga not to be missed.
I had forgotten about Passing Bells , I loved that. Good memory?
I’m just in the middle of this series, starting #3. Love it and was going to recommend when I saw this post.
Belgravia
Oh my lands, yes! Anything by Nancy Mitford is exactly what you are looking for. She lived and wrote at the same time as Downton Abby, so her books are spot on. Not historical fiction – which never strikes the proper chord – she actually WAS one of these “types” of people – the fancy house, the fancy title and so forth. She knows of what she writes.
Then, if you get hooked on Nancy Mitford – as I did – maybe you would like to do a little research on her and her sisters – unbelievable lives! Her youngest sister, Deborah, died somewhat recently, and her books (autobiographical in nature) are also wonderful. All of the Mitford Sisters lived HUGE lives – look them up! Here is the wiki page about Nancy, as a starting point. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Mitford
Also, a memoir – Rose – by Rosina Harris – this woman was the lady’s maid to Lady Astor who also lived during this exact time frame and wrote of her experiences. Fascinating, to be sure! Once again, not “historical fiction” but actual history!
There’s also Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet series. Not as peers and aristocrats but a large wealthy family in the UK. Excellent.
Fall of giants, 1st volume of The Century, by Ken Follett. I had this “Downton abbey feeling” in some parts of the reading!
Ohh not the same but Shell Seekers comes to mind, Rosamunde Pilcher.
Amberwell by D.E. Stevenson. It temporarily filled the hole I have in my life since finishing the Downton Abbey series!