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mellingham's review
An interesting read, especially for fans of "Upstairs, Downstairs (Revisited)" or "Downton Abbey".
jenergizer's review
4.0
I'm a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and have often wondered how true-to-life the show is. After reading this book, I've learned that it is pretty true AND a fascinating way of life, at that. This book is a wonderful, engaging read - and recipes are scattered throughout so you can get an idea of how to make the rich, delicious dishes that were so popular at the time. I loved how the author would compare today's modern conveniences to the cooking trends of the 1930s (imagine making EVERYTHING from scratch!). Very entertaining and eye-opening. Highly recommend!
perpetuia1965's review
4.0
The author of this memoir died at age 97 about a year after this was published. In it, she tells the story of life in the 1930s England as a domestic servant. If you like History or Downton Abbey, you’ll love this book! Listened to on audio but I also checked out the hard copy to see all her pictures. 4.5 Stars
tex2flo's review
4.0
This is a very nice "regular guy job" story about a young Norfolk girl who becomes a scullery maid, then kitchen maid, then cook in 1930s England.
tammybellflower's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how Mollie was a go-getter and full of wit and humor. Her comment: "It was like Mary Poppins on drugs!" nearly made me fall out of my chair. lol
mindtravelagent's review
4.0
I adored this book and its author. In fact, I wish she was a friend/relation because I would love to hear more of her stories.
The book fell into my hands this week at the library and complements another book I'm reading on the 30s in England, a time of major transition from the old hierarchal order to the new, what would become known as, a more distributed networked order. Moran expertly and entertainingly captures that pivotal point in history.
Equally intriguing is her detailing of the devastating loss still felt due to the first World War both thanks to catastrophic body counts as well as the walking wounded like her father, serving in the trenches, who came home with destroyed lungs thanks to German mustard gas attacks.
When WWII begins, you feel that weariness of, "here we go again."
Throughout the book, her humor, can do attitude and indomitable spirit shines through. She highlights the strength of the womenfolk in her family as well, which I loved.
Couldn't put it down and enjoyed every page of it. Bonus was her descriptions of the dishes made as well as recipes she provides - inspired me to start cooking up a storm!
The book fell into my hands this week at the library and complements another book I'm reading on the 30s in England, a time of major transition from the old hierarchal order to the new, what would become known as, a more distributed networked order. Moran expertly and entertainingly captures that pivotal point in history.
Equally intriguing is her detailing of the devastating loss still felt due to the first World War both thanks to catastrophic body counts as well as the walking wounded like her father, serving in the trenches, who came home with destroyed lungs thanks to German mustard gas attacks.
When WWII begins, you feel that weariness of, "here we go again."
Throughout the book, her humor, can do attitude and indomitable spirit shines through. She highlights the strength of the womenfolk in her family as well, which I loved.
Couldn't put it down and enjoyed every page of it. Bonus was her descriptions of the dishes made as well as recipes she provides - inspired me to start cooking up a storm!
onetrooluff's review
4.0
This is a pleasant, interesting memoir by a woman who spent ten years in domestic service during the 1930s. It's very informative, and I think that she did a nice job giving some background on events and society at the time. I learned a lot.
The book also flows really well and I flew right through it.
Congrats to Mrs. Moran for living a full, interesting life (she was 97 when the book came out!) and for sharing her experiences with the rest of us.
The book also flows really well and I flew right through it.
Congrats to Mrs. Moran for living a full, interesting life (she was 97 when the book came out!) and for sharing her experiences with the rest of us.
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read many books about domestic service. I think Mollie had a very unique experience and was quite fortunate to have such compassionate employers during her time in service. Her experience was not common and the amount of freedom she seemingly had was rather astounding.
Her narrative voice was strong. I found myself frustrated with her juvenile self at times. I was not, and never have been, a hormone-driven, boy-crazy girl so maybe I just don’t get it but her obsession with boys over almost everything else was rather grating. It was frustrating to watch her make those kinds of mistakes and come so close to throwing her life away because of a boy. I liked her spunk though and she strikes me as being a lot of fun. Even at 96, I reckon she still gets into scrapes!
This is a good book if you’re interested in domestic service. It really offers a different side to other memoirs and texts on same.
Her narrative voice was strong. I found myself frustrated with her juvenile self at times. I was not, and never have been, a hormone-driven, boy-crazy girl so maybe I just don’t get it but her obsession with boys over almost everything else was rather grating. It was frustrating to watch her make those kinds of mistakes and come so close to throwing her life away because of a boy. I liked her spunk though and she strikes me as being a lot of fun. Even at 96, I reckon she still gets into scrapes!
This is a good book if you’re interested in domestic service. It really offers a different side to other memoirs and texts on same.