It depends on what you enjoy in the show… The first thing that comes to my mind is the collection of novels by PG Wodehouse (Wooster and Jeeves) about the crazy relationship between a gentleman and his almighty butler… You may also want to read The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro which depicts the English aristocracy from the point of view of the butler and the housekeeper… There is also E M Forster’s Howards End
I believe Julian Fellowes (the author of Downton Abbey) wrote books but I don’t know much about them…
Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey. About the countess who lived there during WWI and whose husband funded Howard Carterās expedition and was with him when he discovered King Tutās tomb.
Alice de Courcy is an author who covers that period and setting. Her latest is The Husband Hunters, think Lady Cora. They are non fiction but very readable. I enjoyed The Fishing Fleet also.
MOTHERING SUNDAY by Graham Swift. “On an unseasonably warm spring day in 1924, twenty-two-year-old Jane Fairchild, a maid at an English country house, meets with her secret lover, the young heir of a neighboring estate. He is about to be married to a woman more befitting his social status, and the time has come to end the affair–but events unfold in ways Jane could never have predicted.”
There are actually three. The show was based on this series. The first book has one very graphic part dealing with prostitutes. Otherwise it is a wonderful book.
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey : The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle (Book #1 in the The Women of the Real Downton Abbey Series) by Fiona Carnarvon
over a Hot Stove by Flo Wadlow is a fascinating account of life in domestic service in the 1920s and 30s. Flo started as a kitchen,aid but became a cook at a young age, working in some very large households. aprons and Silver Spoons by Mollie Moran is a longer book about life in domestic service in the same period (Flo Wadlow and Mollie Moran met while in service and were lifelong friends). the Lady’s Maid, My Life in Service by Rosina Harrison is a very interesting account of life as a lady’s maid from the end of WW1, eventually She became lady’s maid to Nancy Astor and stayed with her for many years. LIfe Below Stairs by Sian Evans is a very interesting large pictorial book about life in the great country houses in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many interesting illustrations.
Belgravia…same author, I think.
Yes, Julian Fellowes wrote it – I also enjoyed.
It depends on what you enjoy in the show… The first thing that comes to my mind is the collection of novels by PG Wodehouse (Wooster and Jeeves) about the crazy relationship between a gentleman and his almighty butler…
You may also want to read The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro which depicts the English aristocracy from the point of view of the butler and the housekeeper…
There is also E M Forster’s Howards End
I believe Julian Fellowes (the author of Downton Abbey) wrote books but I don’t know much about them…
I like Downton Abbey also, Poldark is another PbS show I like and have enjoyed the books, it is a series.
Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey. About the countess who lived there during WWI and whose husband funded Howard Carterās expedition and was with him when he discovered King Tutās tomb.
The Forsyte Saga by Johns Galsworthy
Just finished the Harry Clifton chronicles by Jeffrey Archer. 7 books that span a century.
Great series
Belgravia
The House at Riverton. Kate Morton.
I was JUST about to write that. I wholeheartedly second this recommendation, @Ashley! š
Downton with a twist ?
@Kerry Absolutely!
I love all Kate Morton books!
Alice de Courcy is an author who covers that period and setting. Her latest is The Husband Hunters, think Lady Cora. They are non fiction but very readable. I enjoyed The Fishing Fleet also.
Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet family series.
Daisy Goodwin wrote the novel that Victoria is based on , and others like the American Heiress
Should say the show Victoria on amazon / pbs
Maisie Dobbs
Love Maisie!
To Serve Them All My Days by Delderfield
Possibly Remains of the Day by Ishiguro
Yes!! And the movie was very good as well!
Pride and Prejudice, Emma by Jane Austen for that soap.opera in olden times feeling.
Jane Eyre by Bronte for British countryside intrigue and old manners
The Other Boleyn Girl for good easy to read British royal historical fiction.
Loved the other Boleyn girl!!
Just finished Carnegieās Maid based in Pittsburgh which Iļø enjoyed a lot
Thanks for all the recommendations! I love to add to my list!ā¤ļø
MOTHERING SUNDAY by Graham Swift. “On an unseasonably warm spring day in 1924, twenty-two-year-old Jane Fairchild, a maid at an English country house, meets with her secret lover, the young heir of a neighboring estate. He is about to be married to a woman more befitting his social status, and the time has come to end the affair–but events unfold in ways Jane could never have predicted.”
The creator of the show wrote a book called Belgravia.
Books by Kate Morton
Try this one…
I enjoyed “The Summer Before the War” by Helen Simonson.
Below the Stairs…
Call the Midwives..
Is call the midwives a book?! Thought it was just a show. Iām excited now
Books too!
I also did not know itās a book!
Thatās on my list now!
There are actually three. The show was based on this series. The first book has one very graphic part dealing with prostitutes. Otherwise it is a wonderful book.
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey : The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle (Book #1 in the The Women of the Real Downton Abbey Series) by Fiona Carnarvon
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh…The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye…Fall of Giants by Ken Follett…Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson…
Definitely Far Pavilions – also other books by Julian Fellows such as Belgravia or Snobs
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin ?
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
over a Hot Stove by Flo Wadlow is a fascinating account of life in domestic service in the 1920s and 30s. Flo started as a kitchen,aid but became a cook at a young age, working in some very large households. aprons and Silver Spoons by Mollie Moran is a longer book about life in domestic service in the same period (Flo Wadlow and Mollie Moran met while in service and were lifelong friends). the Lady’s Maid, My Life in Service by Rosina Harrison is a very interesting account of life as a lady’s maid from the end of WW1, eventually She became lady’s maid to Nancy Astor and stayed with her for many years. LIfe Below Stairs by Sian Evans is a very interesting large pictorial book about life in the great country houses in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many interesting illustrations.
Almonds and raisins
Kate Morton
The Help