I barely read over Thanksgiving break but I did finish reading A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson.
I love watching Downton Abbey and this book was recommended to me because the setting is very similar to the show, the English countryside at a manor after WWI.
Apparently the late teens and 1920s in England was a crazy time. End of the first World War and the end of the Russian empire probably would do that. It just seems that the people were extra crazy and had fantastical ideas. Maybe people will think that about us when historical fiction is written about our time period. I try not to be too judgy.
A Countess Below Stairs is about Anna, a countess, that fled Russia, with her family, to be penniless in England. She goes into service as a maid. She meets the Earl and they fall in love even though he is to marry someone else, a very horrible someone else. Crazy hi-jinxes ensue on the wedding day. It was pretty predictabl,e but very enjoyable. A bit long winded, but the details were nice.
4/5 stars
I highly recommend this one for other fellow lovers of Downton Abbey.
I have now read 4 of 5 Historical Fiction books for my 2012 challenge. What should I read next? I have five weeks to get it read.
If it's not too J-ish for you, what about something from Laurie Halse Anderson, like "Fever 1793" or "Chains"?
ReplyDeleteI should read "Fever 1793". I have the ebook, if my ereader would charge.
DeleteI am so glad you liked it. The waltz scene is my favorite part. "Fever 1793" is not entirely void of romance, so you might like it ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe waltz scene is the best part for sure. I feel it is the quintessential scene for the book. I do not need romance in my books. There just always is for some reason.
DeleteI'm just giving you a hard time. I like my books with a little romance in them, too.
ReplyDeleteI know. I think romance is just something that happens in most books especially YA. I like coming-of-age stories and coming-of-age usually means hormones and love at some point.
Delete