tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post1050439331250545842..comments2024-03-28T22:42:54.810-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: Life below Stairs: In the Victorian and Edwardian Country House by Siân EvansTracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-11159564699243924612020-03-07T12:46:16.453-08:002020-03-07T12:46:16.453-08:00Col, it was interesting, but I know what you mean....Col, it was interesting, but I know what you mean. There are lots of books I would like to read that I will never get around to. You have to pick and choose.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-70628868060145764642020-03-07T12:14:59.584-08:002020-03-07T12:14:59.584-08:00It sounds quite interesting, but probably one I wo...It sounds quite interesting, but probably one I won't feel too bad about not reading myself.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-47012862777982781782020-03-05T12:15:02.823-08:002020-03-05T12:15:02.823-08:00Rick, I do get the impression that books like this...Rick, I do get the impression that books like this were published because of the interest created by Downton Abbey most recently. We only watched two or three seasons of Downton Abbey, but did enjoy what we watched. <br /><br />I had not even heard of The Dutchess of Duke Street until you mentioned it, but I looked it up and it sounds very good. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-92019935068534002872020-03-05T12:05:30.186-08:002020-03-05T12:05:30.186-08:00Margot, the book was very interesting, and I hope ...Margot, the book was very interesting, and I hope the other books I plan to read on this and related subjects are just as readable and informative.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-16927680400496551932020-03-05T12:02:58.759-08:002020-03-05T12:02:58.759-08:00Prashant, I do think you would like this. I don...Prashant, I do think you would like this. I don't read a lot of nonfiction but last year I did read Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larsen and it was related to World War I and very interesting. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-1080904512202595452020-03-05T11:46:45.158-08:002020-03-05T11:46:45.158-08:00Cath, I am sure you are right about each place bei...Cath, I am sure you are right about each place being different depending on the owners. I had read about maids having to turn toward the wall, but not much about how they might be treated by the men in the family. Although there were scenes in Gosford Park that alluded to that. When I read about people with such a hard life I feel silly to complain about the small problems in my own life.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-52823395916633002182020-03-05T09:56:33.395-08:002020-03-05T09:56:33.395-08:00Interesting. As Cath said, so much depended on the...Interesting. As Cath said, so much depended on the attitudes and personalities of the Lord and Lady (especially the latter, I think) of the manor. I suppose this topic would be especially relevant in light of the Upstairs Downstairs series and Downton Abbey.<br /><br />As an aside, have you watched The Dutchess of Duke Street?Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-44871059301655335312020-03-05T08:33:08.234-08:002020-03-05T08:33:08.234-08:00This really does look fascinating, Tracy! I always...This really does look fascinating, Tracy! I always like learning about different times and the way people lived in different eras. And it sounds as though there's some rich discussion about the different social classes and 'layers,' too. I'm glad you found it informative.Margot Kinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599589137890528065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-84088368835904516182020-03-05T03:47:31.175-08:002020-03-05T03:47:31.175-08:00Tracy, I know I'd enjoy reading this book very...Tracy, I know I'd enjoy reading this book very much, especially since I also like reading nonfiction set around important events in world history. For example, WWI in the last chapter that you mention, and how people across cultures and communities might deal with it.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-11123922494617638442020-03-05T02:52:29.015-08:002020-03-05T02:52:29.015-08:00I think a lot depended on the personalites of his ...I think a lot depended on the personalites of his lordship and ladyship but even the best places were demeaning and like you I've been shocked at reading about how little servants counted. I read somewhere that if a maid was dusting or something and one of the family came by the maid would have to turn to the wall so as not to be noticed by her betters. Incredible. And I was shocked at how much the maids were 'fair game' by the young men of the families. It's such a fascinating subect. Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.com