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Habits of the House: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 493 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From the award-winning novelist and writer of Upstairs Downstairs, the launch of a brilliant new trilogy about what life was really like for masters and servants before the world of Downton Abbey
As the Season of 1899 comes to an end, the world is poised on the brink of profound, irrevocable change. The Earl of Dilberne is facing serious financial concerns. The ripple effects spread to everyone in the household: Lord Robert, who has gambled unwisely on the stock market and seeks a place in the Cabinet; his unmarried children, Arthur, who keeps a courtesan, and Rosina, who keeps a parrot in her bedroom; Lord Robert's wife Isobel, who orders the affairs of the household in Belgrave Square; and Grace, the lady's maid who orders the life of her mistress.
Lord Robert can see no financial relief to an already mortgaged estate, and, though the Season is over, his thoughts turn to securing a suitable wife (and dowry) for his son. The arrival on the London scene of Minnie, a beautiful Chicago heiress with a reputation to mend, seems the answer to all their prayers.
As the writer of the pilot episode of the original Upstairs, Downstairs—Fay Weldon brings a deserved reputation for magnificent storytelling. With wit and sympathy—and no small measure of mischief—Habits of the House plots the interplay of restraint and desire, manners and morals, reason and instinct.
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"Fay Weldon wrote the pilot episode of the TV show Upstairs Downstairs. This turned out to be quite funny with that subtle British humor and the upstairs-downstairs viewpoints and tension. It reminded me of Downton Abbey but sleazier! I had difficulty liking any of the characters in the beginning since but they did grow on me as the story went on. The family is in financial jeopardy but most of them are in denial about the seriousness of it and carry on in an entitled manner with their daily life. The staff is much more aware and involved in their affairs than they realize. It's wrapped up in the end by fashion article in a newspaper covering a dinner with the Prince attending and you know all the intrigue that went on behind the scenes to get there. This is the beginning of a trilogy about the family and I'm looking forward to the sequel "Long live the King" due out next month!"
— GEPL (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Weldon deftly draws readers into the characters’ world…The reader will delight in the family and servants’ colliding lives.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars) -
“Settle in for a good, entertaining comedy of manners as Katherine Kellgren reads with all the appropriate accents.
— BookPage -
With a tony accent and wry humor, Katherine Kellgren narrates this story of an upper-class family on the verge of losing the life its members have always known…Written by the author of ‘Upstairs Downstairs,' Habits of the House will delight fans of ‘Downton Abbey' and those who enjoy dry wit coupled with excellent narration.
— AudioFile Magazine -
Narrator Kellgren creates distinct voices for all involved: servants, aristocracy and wealthy, title-seeing Americans.
— The Plain Dealer -
Habits of the House, an energetic story of the Dilberne family during a few months in 1899, is read at Gatling-gun speed and very effectively by Katherine Kellgren.
— The Winston-Salem Journal -
Narrator Katherine Kellgren creates an amazing variety of voices for the numerous characters both British and American…Kellgren captures the subtle humor and the satire in author Fay Weldon's writing.
— Sound Commentary
Habits of the House Listener Reviews
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" I liked this book until the end. It seemed to end so abruptly. "
— Christina, 2/17/2014 -
" If you love Downton Abbey, this book will disappoint you. "
— Et, 2/5/2014 -
" Read just like The TV Series Upstairs, Downstairs. Oh wait she wrote for the series. Looking for book 2 in the triology. "
— Pam, 1/27/2014 -
" Hmmm, this story sounded very familiar to Downton Abbey, but not quite as good. I wasn't eager to finish this book, but I did. "
— Ilona, 1/22/2014 -
" A delightful novel about an English family that has fallen on difficult times. Their traditions seem to be under attack by the newly rich upstarts whom they encounter. The family needs to make advantageous marriages for their children in order to save the family fortune. And of course, the servants have their own ideas about how things should play out. Fans of Downton Abbey will enjoy this book. "
— Kim, 1/18/2014 -
" That was not good. Not a single likeable character, upstairs or downstairs. And the ending was beyond disappointing. "
— Patsy, 1/5/2014 -
" I "read" this in audiobook format. It was very well done! I was intrigued in parts, shook my head much of the time, laughed out loud, found some parts shocking, and thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Pam, 1/1/2014 -
" erg leuk boek met heerlijk vleugje humor. "
— Paulien, 12/29/2013 -
" Good stories about the rich and not so rich. "
— Mary, 11/8/2013 -
" Others have compared to Downton Abbey. I think that's a stretch! There are some very bothersome anachronisms in this book, especially women feminists before their time. But if you can suspend judgement you might be carried away by the plot turns, lavish settings, and entertaining characters. "
— Sallyaj, 10/30/2013 -
" This book was pretty bland "
— Barbara, 10/29/2013 -
" Supposed to be for Downton Abbey fans. It was a little repetitive here and there and doesn't really amount to much. "
— Elizabeth, 10/7/2013 -
" Couldn't even finish this. Ugh. "
— Joan, 9/11/2013 -
" A mediocre Downton Abbey alike. Maybe this type of story is better for the screen and not a novel. I never really cared too deeply for the characters, upstairs or down. "
— Savannah, 4/28/2013 -
" If you liked the Upstairs Downstairs seies you will find thie new book by Fay Weldon not nearly as interesting or fun.. The characters are also not as well developed or likable. Still worth reading though for some light entertainment. "
— Janet, 1/2/2013 -
" 3.5, really. Entertaining little read! "
— Jenn, 12/16/2012
About Fay Weldon
Fay Weldon is one of Britain’s most respected and best-loved authors. She lives on a windswept hill in Dorset with her husband and has four sons, three stepsons, and six grandchildren.
About Katherine Kellgren
Katherine Kellgren (1969–2018), narrator and actress, appeared onstage in London, New York, and Frankfurt, including in the role of Laura in a regional production of The Glass Menagerie and appearances on Comedy Central. In recognition of her mastery of audiobook narration, she received many honors, including the prestigious Audie Awards, with four for best female narrator; the Odyssey Award; Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award; dozens of AudioFile magazine Earphones Awards; an AudioFile Golden Voice Award; Booklist Voice of Choice award; and acclaim from press and listener reviews.