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The World of Downton Abbey Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,450 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Millions of television viewers tuned in to their PBS stations to watch the first season of "Downton Abbey." The popularity and critical acclaim brought millions more to join in for successive seasons of the mini-series to follow the wealthy, aristocratic Crawley family as they went from the privileged world of Victorian high society through the turbulence of World War I and World War II.
Garnering a host of nominations and awards in everything from costume to acting to set design, viewers who can't get enough can turn to Jessica Fellows' "The World of Downton Abbey" to learn more about the people, places and history of both the upper crust and servant classes featured in the mini-series.
The audiobook is narrated by Elizabeth McGovern, the actress who plays Lady Grantham in the Downton Abbey series. She joins forces with the author to provide more information about the Edwardian era in Britain, including family life, upper class manor houses, society, lives of the servant classes, historical events such as World War I and World War II and the enormous changes brought about over the years.
For those who were captivated by the lavish, authentic costumes of the series, the audiobook describes the making of the costumes and accessories. While Anglophiles will find insights into Edwardian and WWI societies, those interested in the American-British dynamics won't be disappointed. Fellowes goes into depth about the marriages of convenience between wealthy American heiresses and titled, sometimes financially faltering British equivalents and the ramifications of antiquated inheritance and peerage laws.
Jessica Fellows is the best-selling writer of a number of books based on the "Downton Abbey" PBS series. Fellowes is the niece of Lord Julian Fellowes, the Emmy-winning and Oscar-winning author of the Downton Abbey series. She has done extensive research on the background, the history, and the characters of the period as well as the house and locale as well.
"This is was an interesting companion to the addictive PBS series and provided some background to the characters as well as historical information regarding the time period. The accompanying photographs were nice, but I would like to have seen the true life figures more accurately identified."
— Kimbra (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
A perfect gift for Downton Abbey fans, a lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series that's now a feature film. April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't. Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history.
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Quotes
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Possibly the best show of the year...'Downton Abbey' is all that 'Upstairs, Downstairs' was, and more.
— The Los Angeles Times on Downton Abbey -
There is no mystery about the potency of this series, slathered in wit, powered by storytelling of a high order.
— The Wall Street Journal on Downton Abbey -
“This extraordinary upstairs-downstairs drama, written by Oscar-winning 'Gosford Park' screenwriter Julian Fellowes, is a dramatic, intelligent, soapy, comic, and wise piece of work.
— The Boston Globe on Downton Abbey
The World of Downton Abbey Listener Reviews
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" This is a great look behind the scenes at the Downton Abby PBS series. They cover all the aspects of the period and how it was researched and recreated. For anyone who enjoys the series, this is a great companion. "
— Gretchen, 2/15/2014 -
" Not quite the breezy mind candy I had imagined. It was definitely historical in nature but not at all scholarly or difficult and loaded with great photos and stills from the sets. If you've been obsessed with the show the book is a fantastic companion. "
— Zelda, 2/13/2014 -
" If you Love Downton Abbey you will love this book!! "
— Rene, 1/30/2014 -
" Yes, I am obsessed! "
— Tracie, 1/26/2014 -
" Beautiful photos and production. Didn't tell me as much as I wanted to know about the period, but it's not really history. "
— Susan, 1/24/2014 -
" This was an interesting behind the scenes book on this television series. I've just begun to watch it and the book shed light on many of the customs of the time. "
— Jim, 1/18/2014 -
" Interesting history to go with my obession for this show. "
— Kris, 12/30/2013 -
" Great background information! Watch out for spoilers to Season 2. I stopped reading when I saw anyhting that mentioned war. "
— Teresa, 12/10/2013 -
" If you like the tv program, this is a great companion. "
— Gwen, 11/1/2013 -
" I don't usually read books about TV programs, but a friend recommended this one. It did have some interesting info about the time period and the filming. "
— Karen, 10/31/2013 -
" I enjoyed the series & read the history selections that were in the book along with some background information about how they were able to make the 1912 timeframe so realistic. "
— Kathy, 10/4/2013 -
" I'm a "Downton Abbey" lover so this book was like a great dollop of whip cream on a decadent dessert. Great pictures are supplemented by historical and social information as well as interviews and quotes from the actors who portray the characters. Loved it! "
— Meg, 9/12/2013 -
" A really nicely-designed book for those who can't get enough of Downton Abbey. I got it for a gift, and I would give it for a gift. Pretty good background material on the period and the people that inspired the stories. "
— Emily, 8/12/2013 -
" Lush, lavish, funny. An indulgence, just because. "
— Richard, 7/24/2013 -
" A beautiful look inside the show! "
— Ryan, 1/25/2013 -
" Great book about a great Masterpiece Series. "
— Arlene, 1/19/2013 -
" I love everything about Downton Abbey !!! Great book!! "
— Gracie, 10/9/2012 -
" I love this book! Behind the scenes goodies and historical info explaining the details of the show. Gorgeous pictures. A beautiful book! "
— Debb24601, 10/5/2012 -
" I loved this companion to the series. Fascinating and fun to read. I highly recommend for any Downton hardcore fan. :) "
— Amber, 8/1/2012 -
" I am obsessed so I enjoyed going through this. "
— Irene, 4/28/2012 -
" If you love the show this really is a great companion and great photos too! "
— Marie, 4/27/2012
About Jessica Fellowes
Jessica Fellowes is an author, journalist, and public speaker, best known for her five official New York Times bestselling companion books to the Downton Abbey TV series. Former deputy director of Country Life and columnist for the Mail on Sunday, she has written for the Daily Telegraph, the Guardian, the Sunday Times, and the Lady.
About Elizabeth McGovern
Elizabeth McGovern is a musician and actress best known for her role as Cora in the BBC’s Downton Abbey. She studied at Juilliard and San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater. She has been nominated for many awards for her acting, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has narrated numerous audiobooks and won two AudioFile Earphones Awards.