Servants' Hall: A Real Life Upstairs, Downstairs Romance (1979) - Plot & Excerpts
This book was disappointing. I thought from the title that it would be a happy story of a lucky servant girl who has a fairy tale romance with someone from "above stairs." Instead, it was merely an opinionated, self absorbed story of the author's own quest for men while bragging about great she is as a cook. She also manages to complain how her friend couldn't make a go of her romance, but she could have done a much better job with fitting in. I felt sorry for Rose, all the while feeling no such pity for Margaret, the author. I found this book difficult to get through, definitely not a good read. Well. I haven't read her earlier memoir, Below Stairs, yet... and after reading this I'd still like to do so. So that says something.I didn't love the author all the time; however, her voice and the fairly reasonable way she looked at situations kept me interested. It made me feel like Downton Abbey is doing a pretty good job showing the life of domestic servants in the '20s, including the squabbles over hierarchy and personal dignity (they are doing this particularly well with Mr. Molesley) and the attempt to have something of a life in a job where you only get one full day off a month.The central thread of this memoir centers on the story of Rose, a parlourmaid who achieves the ultimate dream (or commits the ultimate sin) of capturing the attention of the son of the household - and he doesn't want to just have his way with her, he wants to MARRY her! Predictably, it is not a smooth road. The book shows the difficulties faced by the couple from all sides, and frankly, I think the author is about as sympathetic as I would have been.Overall, it's a quick, interesting read.
What do You think about Servants' Hall: A Real Life Upstairs, Downstairs Romance (1979)?
Love Powell's writing as always, not as good as Below Stairs but very entertaining
—minenepal
I may have gotten into it if I had read it before watching Downton Abbey.
—iisquishyy
I think I'd like her first book better. Off to add it!
—umbrella1396
