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125 reviews for:
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle
Fiona Carnarvon
3.45 AVERAGE
125 reviews for:
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle
Fiona Carnarvon
3.45 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
The book takes us through the energetic life of Lady Almina while providing a brisk background on the times. I wanted more on Highclere though.
Anyone who watches Downton Abbey should read this book!
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
Herein lies the story of Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, as told by the current countess, the wife of Lady Almina's great-grandson. I'll confess, I was chiefly interested in the book due to its connections to Downton Abbey (apparently, Lady Almina's home, Highclere Castle, is the inspiration for the show).
I was rather hoping for more about the "downstairs" people of Highclere Castle--since the juxtaposition of the "upstairs, downstairs" is what makes Downton Abbey such an interesting show--but I suppose the fact that the countess's name is part of the title should have clued me in to the fact that I was getting mostly the story of the fabulously wealthy Lady Almina.
The current Lady Carnarvon is obviously very much enamored with the subject and is rightfully proud of her husband's heritage, but as a result, I often found much of the writing to be rather fanciful.
It was interesting, however, to witness Lady Almina's transformations throughout her life--going from an illegitimate daughter on the fringes of society, acceptable only because of her "godfather's" wealth, to a wealthy and well-connected countess who hobnobbed with the Prince of Wales and the like, to a dutiful and diligent World War I nurse who transformed her family's ancestral home into a war hospital. She truly was a fascinating and capable woman who was much to be admired.
The writing wasn't brilliant, but it still was a good read for sure. The subject might not be too interesting to those who aren't into Downton Abbey, though.
I was rather hoping for more about the "downstairs" people of Highclere Castle--since the juxtaposition of the "upstairs, downstairs" is what makes Downton Abbey such an interesting show--but I suppose the fact that the countess's name is part of the title should have clued me in to the fact that I was getting mostly the story of the fabulously wealthy Lady Almina.
The current Lady Carnarvon is obviously very much enamored with the subject and is rightfully proud of her husband's heritage, but as a result, I often found much of the writing to be rather fanciful.
It was interesting, however, to witness Lady Almina's transformations throughout her life--going from an illegitimate daughter on the fringes of society, acceptable only because of her "godfather's" wealth, to a wealthy and well-connected countess who hobnobbed with the Prince of Wales and the like, to a dutiful and diligent World War I nurse who transformed her family's ancestral home into a war hospital. She truly was a fascinating and capable woman who was much to be admired.
The writing wasn't brilliant, but it still was a good read for sure. The subject might not be too interesting to those who aren't into Downton Abbey, though.
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
A bit slow in the beginning, but it picked up pace halfway through. The chapters about WWI were the most interesting parts for me.
Quick, light reading. Insightful and kept to the facts, whether they were positive or negative. I guess it's a memoir, but also a fascinating story , and not too dry, as histories can also become.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A very enjoyable read - Lady Almina seemed to be an absolute powerhouse but I am conscious that this book should be taken with a pinch of salt given the authorship and the heavy perceived entitlement to wealth privilege.
There are some Downton Abbey links that I enjoyed, e.g. Gwen and Mr Bates really did exist.
I often found the book to be most interesting when it delved into the lives of staff and focused on the staff-employer relations.
However it was an odd place to cut off the book, and there was strangely very little focus on the earls of the earldom.
There are some Downton Abbey links that I enjoyed, e.g. Gwen and Mr Bates really did exist.
I often found the book to be most interesting when it delved into the lives of staff and focused on the staff-employer relations.
However it was an odd place to cut off the book, and there was strangely very little focus on the earls of the earldom.
This book was ok. That's all, just ok. A lot of the history was interesting, but wasn't really about Downton Abbey, or even Highclere Castle. Not at all what I was expecting from the title.
Not all that well written, especially in the early chapters, although the author seems to become more at ease and more fluid in her writing as the book progresses. Nevertheless, interesting, informative and entertaining.
This book was not what I expected. Lots and lots of adjectives and every little thing had to be described and it didn't really let me have an imagination. It was alright, but the last half of the book was a lot slower moving than the first half.