The World of Downton Abbey

Title: The World of Downton Abbey 

By Jessica Fellowes 

ISBN: 978-1-250-00634-9

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: Hardback and ebook

$29.99US/$34.50 Can.

How I Read It: Hardback copy from BBC Shop America

Rating: 5 Crowns

This week kicks off Downton Abbey week here at Royal Reviews. Please joins us for a week of reviews, trivia, and giveaway featuring the theme of Downton Abbey!

 

Welcome to Downton Abbey.

 

Are you early or late?

So the servants await you, or are you there to join their ranks?

Will you be waited upon hand and foot or will you be the one doing the severing?

Get behind doors that have, until now, remained closed.

Get under the skin of the characters and actors.

Uncover the full story behind the intrigues and secrets.

Discover The World of Downton Abbey: the official companion to series 1 and 2.

(from the book jacket)

My Thoughts

This lovely little companion book is divided into 9 parts: Family Life, Society, Change, Life in Service, Style, House & Estate, Romance, War, and Behind the Scenes. Not only does it offer a detailed look at the characters and cast of the Edwardian drama, Downton Abbey, it offers an in-depth look into the history and customs of that era.

Normally I pass by companion books without giving them a second glance although when I spotted The World of Downton Abbey advertised in the BBC America Shop catalogue I knew that I wanted to get my hands on this book. When I received the book for review, I was ecstatic, over the moon Snoopy happy-dance ecstatic!

When I opened the book, I was expecting something that would show the behind the scenes information, pictures of the actors, profiles of the characters, the typical companion book fodder. I must say I was in for quite a shock, a pleasant shock that is, when I discovered how much historical material was included. Jessica Fellowes brilliantly balanced the imaginary world of the Grantham’s and the history of the era.

If you are a fan of the series, or a newbie looking for a guide to the who’s who, The World of Downton Abbey is the perfect book. Plus, it will give you something to look whilst waiting impatiently patiently for the third series to start.

While I have not seen the ebook version I have to say that after seeing the hardback version I am not sure that the ebook would do the book justice. So, if you have read/viewed the ebook, please let me know you thoughts on the content.

A few of my favorite things in the book:

1- The Timeline- I loved this feature because it allows viewers of the show to see when some of the events in the show actually occurred. (The dates of the shows are often hard to pinpoint)

2- The photo’s-not only does this book contain glossy stills from the show; it contains a wealth of pictures from the Edwardian era as well.

3-The background information-this book contains information of the real-life people that the characters are modeled after.

4-The ‘Further Reading’ section-for each section the book is divided into there is a section of listed reading material. I will definitely be searching out some of those titles!

Do you have a favorite character from Downton Abbey?

I would have to say that my favorite would have to be Tom Branson, the Grantham’s chauffeur.

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase your own copy of The World of Downton Abbey you may do so HERE.

I would like to thank BBC America Shop for sending me this lovely book to review. I would also like to say that I do not receive any compensation for reviewing the book nor from the purchase link.

 

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