I gave this book three out of five stars because, although the subject was interesting, the actual writing could be extremely dull at times, describing in detail clothes, fabrics, rooms, meals, and social engagements. It also only showed the positive side of this family- which was to be expected as it was written by a current family member. Precious litte was told about the servants and their lives and the skeletons of Highclere's closets didn't even see a glimmer of light. As the reader, I was left at the end with more questions, craving the juicy gossip experienced from the show, Downton Abbey. Well, maybe I wasn't expecting that much drama but I still would have enjoyed maybe an anecdote about an affair or a baby born out of wedlock or even a family myth about a long-dead ancestor's ghost! Overall, the word choice was merely okay, certain words were used a little too much (like describing Almina as "patently" doing something multiple times in one chapter!) and the writing style was very simple, like reading out of an 8th grade textbook. Lady Fiona Carnarvon didn't have much of a voice in her writing except for a few parts where her admiration for the late Carnarvon family members took on a tone of adoration, worship, or even obsession. I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone but I think fans of Downton Abbey might find it informative and maybe even a bit surprising when character names appear as real people.
2 comments:
Thought I would share my review of this book here.
3.5 out of 5 stars "It is neither a biography nor a work of fiction." "It is not a history."
September 16, 2013
With this prologue, the author begins her tribute to Almina Carnarvon -- a very wealthy heiress who married into her title as the 5th Countess of Carnarvon and settled into life at Highclere Castle, which as most know, serves as the setting for a popular PBS and Emmy Award-winning show - Downton Abbey.
Lady Almina, as she is referred to in the book, was purportedly the pampered illegitimate daughter of a very wealthy man (Alfred de Rothschild) and her money was crucial in the restoration of Highclere which became the center for lavish weekend parties and spectacular excess so common during the Edwardian age among the aristocrats.
I really enjoyed the details about life and times in this period of history. I also liked reading about the different family members as well as the staff downstairs. Really, no small tidbit was too much! I would have preferred that the author focus more on Almina's daily activities and her family rather than the long digression about World War I -- which certainly affected their lifestyle -- but just more about the lives of those in the Castle as well. Their relationships, the trials and tribulations of the servants, etc., but perhaps there was not that much archival information for the author to review about them. Certainly one of the most important things that Almina did, and what she probably hoped to be remembered for, was how she threw herself into nursing and opened the doors of the Castle for recovering wounded officers. The chapters that described her husband's travels and discoveries in Egypt were fascinating, but I was really wanting more about Highclere and the life there rather than a focus on the Earl.
As many have said, a relative (even one by marriage) paints a particularly rosy picture of one whom she admires. I accepted that and enjoyed the story of a quite interesting and remarkable Lady Almina during a really difficult and turbulent time. I already have the next book by this author and am reading it now.
Definitely recommend to any fan of Edwardian England and anyone interested in the real estate that has since become instantly recognizable from television.
DC
this book seems interesting but its not really the type of books I'm into.
Post a Comment