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The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era
The Chronicles of Downtown A New Era is a perfect gift book for fans of the Emmy Award-winning series and feature film, inviting readers inside the third season.
The Great War has ended, but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful...
"Americans can't get enough of Downton Abbey ," said The Boston Globe. As Season 3 of the award-winning TV series opens, it is 1920 and Downton Abbey is waking up to a world changed forever by World War I. New characters arrive and new intrigues thrive as the old social order is challenged by new expectations.
In this new era, different family members abound (including Cora's American mother, played by Shirley MacLaine) and changed dynamics need to be Which branch of the family tree will Lord Grantham's first grandchild belong to? What will become of the servants, both old and new?
The Chronicles of Downton Abbey , carefully pieced together at the heart and hearth of the ancestral home of the Crawleys, takes us deeper into the story of every important member of the Downton estate. This lavish, entirely new book from Jessica Fellowes focuses on each character individually, examining their motivations, their actions, and the inspirations behind them. An evocative combination of story, history, and behind-the-scenes drama, it will bring fans even closer to the secret, beating heart of the house.
The Great War has ended, but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful...
"Americans can't get enough of Downton Abbey ," said The Boston Globe. As Season 3 of the award-winning TV series opens, it is 1920 and Downton Abbey is waking up to a world changed forever by World War I. New characters arrive and new intrigues thrive as the old social order is challenged by new expectations.
In this new era, different family members abound (including Cora's American mother, played by Shirley MacLaine) and changed dynamics need to be Which branch of the family tree will Lord Grantham's first grandchild belong to? What will become of the servants, both old and new?
The Chronicles of Downton Abbey , carefully pieced together at the heart and hearth of the ancestral home of the Crawleys, takes us deeper into the story of every important member of the Downton estate. This lavish, entirely new book from Jessica Fellowes focuses on each character individually, examining their motivations, their actions, and the inspirations behind them. An evocative combination of story, history, and behind-the-scenes drama, it will bring fans even closer to the secret, beating heart of the house.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
70 people are currently reading
1517 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
January 7, 2020
Exactly what you'd expect: highlights from the show, cast and real-life castles. It's a beautiful book, a must-read for any fans... and if you've not seen the show, it's a good intro!
October 16, 2019
As a companion to the television series, I did like this book but I do have to admit that I liked it less than the first companion that was released. This installment follows the television show from seasons 1-3 (without really mentioning or spoiling the most important moments of season three). I was actually interested in reading about what had happened in season three so I was disappointed to see that some very key moments weren't included. I guess season three onward will be addressed in the next companion.
This companion is set up differently than the first in which sections were created in this one for each character. Each section goes into the story and background of that character while also explaining the overall plot of the show along with relevant historical information of that time.
Similar to the first companion, it was aesthetically beautiful. However, with some of these photographs I did notice some blurriness which unfortunately impacted the overall quality of the book. Not all of the photographs were blurry but I did notice it in a few, even on the full page and multi-page photographs.
Another item that I was not particularly a fan of was the collages that were included at the end of each character's section. They didn't seem necessary and came across as content to add as a filler.
Overall, I do have to say this book is a nice addition to fans of the show; however, I would recommend purchasing the first companion before I would recommend this one.
This companion is set up differently than the first in which sections were created in this one for each character. Each section goes into the story and background of that character while also explaining the overall plot of the show along with relevant historical information of that time.
Similar to the first companion, it was aesthetically beautiful. However, with some of these photographs I did notice some blurriness which unfortunately impacted the overall quality of the book. Not all of the photographs were blurry but I did notice it in a few, even on the full page and multi-page photographs.
Another item that I was not particularly a fan of was the collages that were included at the end of each character's section. They didn't seem necessary and came across as content to add as a filler.
Overall, I do have to say this book is a nice addition to fans of the show; however, I would recommend purchasing the first companion before I would recommend this one.
February 9, 2024
Exactly what it says it is! Filled with background information, rich photographs, and lots of tidbits about the show!
May 5, 2019
“Filming is a bit like life in service – there’s a lot of waiting and then moments of frenetic activity.” As a follow-up to The World of Downton Abbey, this is a slight disappointment. Irritatingly, there is a lot of repetition from the previous book. Despite the fact that it is thematically divided by character, it doesn’t necessarily follow narrative arcs. Despite being billed as a Season 3 companion, there is no comment from the writers about how this season developed partly in response to the criticism of the previous season’s melodramatic high-jinks. And no reference to the major plot developments of this pivotal season. Yes, there is endless commentary from the costume and props department, but nary a word from the writers. The best of this for me was the brief ‘behind the scenes’ chapter at the end. Still, a fascinating insight into a world not so far removed from the past, and which is still linked to us in so many ways.
April 2, 2016
As Informative As It Is Elegant
As a Downton Abbey addict, I love the idea of a companion novel that combines the spirit and stunning visuals of the program with interesting history and facts about these characters and the time period they lived in. A few years ago I read and thoroughly enjoyed The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes and I’m so delighted to see that she has followed up that first companion novel with three more!!
As a person who loves character-driven stories, analyzing personalities, and studying character development I was so pleased to see this edition focuses more on the characters of Downton Abbey. Divided into sixteen chapters, this book highlights nineteen characters that viewers encounter during seasons 1-3, the final chapter is a bonus Behind the Scenes chapter! Besides dozens of glossy images, these chapters provide insight and background for each major character in the series. Readers learn more about their motivations, behaviors, responsibilities, and limitations.
I appreciated how this book went into detail not only about each character, but about their role in society – whether it be daughter, butler, housemaid, or heir. Readers can learn not just about the Crawley family and their servants, but about real people who lived similar lives to them. I found it fascinating to learn things like how valets and housekeepers could secretly supplement their income and wardrobe, how fashion choices of each daughter is a reflection on their personality, and how the treatment of inmates at this time was both horrifying and grim. In addition, I loved gaining some new understanding and insight to more reserved characters like Anna, Thomas, O’Brien. We don’t know a lot about their past and it was interesting to learn what kind of backstory they might have.
This hardbound book full of lush photography, elegant designs, and interesting details is a wonderful companion for viewers who love Downton Abbey and its intriguing cast of characters! I’ll definitely be adding A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey and Downton Abbey: A Celebration by Jessica Fellowes to my wish-list and look forward to reading them soon!
Here is a little book preview Mr. Bingley and I put together for The Chronicles of Downton Abbey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mla2p...
As a Downton Abbey addict, I love the idea of a companion novel that combines the spirit and stunning visuals of the program with interesting history and facts about these characters and the time period they lived in. A few years ago I read and thoroughly enjoyed The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes and I’m so delighted to see that she has followed up that first companion novel with three more!!
As a person who loves character-driven stories, analyzing personalities, and studying character development I was so pleased to see this edition focuses more on the characters of Downton Abbey. Divided into sixteen chapters, this book highlights nineteen characters that viewers encounter during seasons 1-3, the final chapter is a bonus Behind the Scenes chapter! Besides dozens of glossy images, these chapters provide insight and background for each major character in the series. Readers learn more about their motivations, behaviors, responsibilities, and limitations.
I appreciated how this book went into detail not only about each character, but about their role in society – whether it be daughter, butler, housemaid, or heir. Readers can learn not just about the Crawley family and their servants, but about real people who lived similar lives to them. I found it fascinating to learn things like how valets and housekeepers could secretly supplement their income and wardrobe, how fashion choices of each daughter is a reflection on their personality, and how the treatment of inmates at this time was both horrifying and grim. In addition, I loved gaining some new understanding and insight to more reserved characters like Anna, Thomas, O’Brien. We don’t know a lot about their past and it was interesting to learn what kind of backstory they might have.
This hardbound book full of lush photography, elegant designs, and interesting details is a wonderful companion for viewers who love Downton Abbey and its intriguing cast of characters! I’ll definitely be adding A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey and Downton Abbey: A Celebration by Jessica Fellowes to my wish-list and look forward to reading them soon!
Here is a little book preview Mr. Bingley and I put together for The Chronicles of Downton Abbey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mla2p...
March 11, 2020
As an avid Downton Abbey fan, this book was right up my alley as it gives an in-depth look to all the characters that we grew to love, along with the castle itself (which is actually Highclere Castle in the U.K.).
It's filled with wonderful photographs, and details the lives of both the upstairs and downstairs characters and how WWI continued to impact their lives after it ended.
I got this from the library, but I intend to buy my own copy to read again and again.
It's filled with wonderful photographs, and details the lives of both the upstairs and downstairs characters and how WWI continued to impact their lives after it ended.
I got this from the library, but I intend to buy my own copy to read again and again.
November 17, 2012
I never really got into Downton Abbey until the latest series, but now I am an absolutely huge fan. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get into it, but thankfully this book has been released and so now I can read up on what I've missed!
When The Chronicles of Downton Abbey arrived, like any Downton fan, I was so excited to have a copy in my hands! After just a quick flick through, I already knew that I loved this book. I couldn't wait to have a better look at it. This is the 'official companion' to all three seasons and gives us an in-depth look at the main characters who inhabit the Downton estate. This book is not a story, but a 'chronicle' of fictional characters.
There are a lot of different characters explored in this book, from both upstairs in the lavish house and downstairs in the servants' quarters. The character description goes into great depth, it seems that nothing has been left out and through learning about one character, we also get to learn about others and of the general happenings of the estate. I'm sure that even if you haven't missed an episode, there is a whole lot more to learn about the much loved characters, yet it doesn't give too much away if you haven't seen the whole series yet. There are a lot of interesting historical facts added in to this, as expected, which adds even more realism to the Downton story. The characters' factual history and emotions are both explored well.
Alongside all of the fascinating information, this book is presented beautifully. The interesting facts are illustrated with images of on-set props and gorgeous photographs from the television series - to simply look at the pictures in this is a real treat. You could easily revisit any section of this book again and again without getting bored.
As you can probably tell, I really enjoyed this book! If you know anyone who likes Downton Abbey, do buy them this for Christmas - it truly is a perfect gift for any fan. If you are interested in this period of history, this may also be for you, or even if you just want to see what all the fuss is about - I doubt you will be disappointed!
When The Chronicles of Downton Abbey arrived, like any Downton fan, I was so excited to have a copy in my hands! After just a quick flick through, I already knew that I loved this book. I couldn't wait to have a better look at it. This is the 'official companion' to all three seasons and gives us an in-depth look at the main characters who inhabit the Downton estate. This book is not a story, but a 'chronicle' of fictional characters.
There are a lot of different characters explored in this book, from both upstairs in the lavish house and downstairs in the servants' quarters. The character description goes into great depth, it seems that nothing has been left out and through learning about one character, we also get to learn about others and of the general happenings of the estate. I'm sure that even if you haven't missed an episode, there is a whole lot more to learn about the much loved characters, yet it doesn't give too much away if you haven't seen the whole series yet. There are a lot of interesting historical facts added in to this, as expected, which adds even more realism to the Downton story. The characters' factual history and emotions are both explored well.
Alongside all of the fascinating information, this book is presented beautifully. The interesting facts are illustrated with images of on-set props and gorgeous photographs from the television series - to simply look at the pictures in this is a real treat. You could easily revisit any section of this book again and again without getting bored.
As you can probably tell, I really enjoyed this book! If you know anyone who likes Downton Abbey, do buy them this for Christmas - it truly is a perfect gift for any fan. If you are interested in this period of history, this may also be for you, or even if you just want to see what all the fuss is about - I doubt you will be disappointed!
January 1, 2013
I honestly am so glad I read this book. I mean, it's a Downton book so I would've read it anyway but reading it now after finishing the third series, I am especially glad to have read it.
I'll say it now. That third series did not sit well with me. And reading this book helped.
I went into this expecting this to be a lot like the first Downton book (which was mostly about the time period and history behind the show) but it wasn't. This one went more into the motivations of the characters, their lives and the history behind the newest series. I honestly enjoyed it immensely.
Just watching the show I don't think historical accuracy is really thought of. As an audience I think we're more focused on the characters and their lives. Therefore, I'd never really realized how much detail went into the show and went into making everything fit. I think I might even have a greater appreciation of the show and love it all the more because of this book.
Honestly, this book is just fantastic. I think it's a must read for any fan of the show! It certainly gives a lot of detail you can't get just from watching. And upon finishing this book, you really know the characters better and that, in itself, is a reason to read this.
I'll say it now. That third series did not sit well with me. And reading this book helped.
I went into this expecting this to be a lot like the first Downton book (which was mostly about the time period and history behind the show) but it wasn't. This one went more into the motivations of the characters, their lives and the history behind the newest series. I honestly enjoyed it immensely.
Just watching the show I don't think historical accuracy is really thought of. As an audience I think we're more focused on the characters and their lives. Therefore, I'd never really realized how much detail went into the show and went into making everything fit. I think I might even have a greater appreciation of the show and love it all the more because of this book.
Honestly, this book is just fantastic. I think it's a must read for any fan of the show! It certainly gives a lot of detail you can't get just from watching. And upon finishing this book, you really know the characters better and that, in itself, is a reason to read this.
December 3, 2013
Yes, I am on the DA bandwagon, and I received this book as a gift on Friday. I finished it Sunday! Granted, there are a lot of pictures (which is awesome), but it's more than just a photo album of the series. Each of the main characters is fleshed out a little more, with more of their "background story," but there are also historical facts and information from people from that era, both servants and "above-stairs" folks. This really helps to understand the historical backdrop of the series, as well as where some of the characters picked up their outlook on life, service, and the world at large. This book doesn't give away anything of Season 3, but rather is set between the previous season, so if you aren't caught up, this won't give anything away.
I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Downton Abbey - the profiles of the characters are interesting and informative, and the photography is great. I have already loaned my copy out to a friend, and I know it will be making the rounds!
I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Downton Abbey - the profiles of the characters are interesting and informative, and the photography is great. I have already loaned my copy out to a friend, and I know it will be making the rounds!
October 29, 2015
This was a really fun read. I recommend it to any fan of the show. It gives an in depth look at the sets, characters and storylines. It's also filled with beautiful photos of the cast and sets.
December 3, 2013
This is a wonderful companion piece to the Masterpiece Theater period drama Downton Abbey. It is a compendium of historical details, character sketches, actor interviews, production challenges and photographs of this much loved and popular drama series.
The production accurately portrays one of the old grand estates of prewar Britain. It was an enormous challenge to try and present the two very different worlds of the Abbey-the grand and calm upstairs world of the Crawley family and the busy below stairs world of their servants. Details of the class system that predominated during the prewar era are all explained, including the expectations of the various roles of the butler, groom, footman, and ladies maid. All the “behind the scenes” research that was required to authentically portray the architectural details of the settings, the costumes, and the props is described. Some of these details come from actual lives lived during the time period.
The historical context of the years as they flow by are again true to the times, presenting the challenges of the pre and post war period as they took place: the sinking of the Titanic, the post war stress of soldiers, the problems of child illegitimacy after the war, the Irish search for independence, and the great influx of immigrants fleeing war torn Europe. As the story unfolds through the years, clothing changes to reflect the large societal changes that have taken place. Detail infuses every aspect of the production, and this quest for historical accuracy may not be noted on a first look at the production, when most of us focus on the story being told. One of the details pointed out in this book that I never realized, was how Daisy the kitchen maid is never allowed to sit down, she is always standing. She was on the lowest rung in the kitchen and this behavior reflects her station in that setting.
There are interviews with the main actors and a backstory to the roles they are playing. Each actor also shares their feelings about their characters as well as the challenges they faced portraying their roles to the audience.
This book is beautifully illustrated with large color photographs of some of the fashions, the action, sets and production props, many of which are authentic.
The volume provides the reader with a greater understanding of the context of the Crawley family story, and allows one to appreciate this great series even more.
The production accurately portrays one of the old grand estates of prewar Britain. It was an enormous challenge to try and present the two very different worlds of the Abbey-the grand and calm upstairs world of the Crawley family and the busy below stairs world of their servants. Details of the class system that predominated during the prewar era are all explained, including the expectations of the various roles of the butler, groom, footman, and ladies maid. All the “behind the scenes” research that was required to authentically portray the architectural details of the settings, the costumes, and the props is described. Some of these details come from actual lives lived during the time period.
The historical context of the years as they flow by are again true to the times, presenting the challenges of the pre and post war period as they took place: the sinking of the Titanic, the post war stress of soldiers, the problems of child illegitimacy after the war, the Irish search for independence, and the great influx of immigrants fleeing war torn Europe. As the story unfolds through the years, clothing changes to reflect the large societal changes that have taken place. Detail infuses every aspect of the production, and this quest for historical accuracy may not be noted on a first look at the production, when most of us focus on the story being told. One of the details pointed out in this book that I never realized, was how Daisy the kitchen maid is never allowed to sit down, she is always standing. She was on the lowest rung in the kitchen and this behavior reflects her station in that setting.
There are interviews with the main actors and a backstory to the roles they are playing. Each actor also shares their feelings about their characters as well as the challenges they faced portraying their roles to the audience.
This book is beautifully illustrated with large color photographs of some of the fashions, the action, sets and production props, many of which are authentic.
The volume provides the reader with a greater understanding of the context of the Crawley family story, and allows one to appreciate this great series even more.
January 2, 2013
A must for every Downton fan!
The pictures alone are gorgeous, I could stare at them all day long. The colors, the outfits... Wow.
The written part is terribly interesting, too. The book gives us more information about almost all of the characters (though I wish there were chapters about Jimmy and Ethel, too), their motivations and relationships, and about the 1920s in general. It's very informative and I learnt a lot of things about history as well as about my favorite characters. The writing is fluent and easy to follow even if English isn't your mother tongue.
The book is worth every cent I spent - it's actually quite cheap considering the quality of the paper, the beautiful pictures and the interesting information.
At the end, there is a full cast list and a very interesting section on further reading possibilities.
All in all, I feel like this is an important addition to the television series and really helps us understand the different motivations of different characters.
The pictures alone are gorgeous, I could stare at them all day long. The colors, the outfits... Wow.
The written part is terribly interesting, too. The book gives us more information about almost all of the characters (though I wish there were chapters about Jimmy and Ethel, too), their motivations and relationships, and about the 1920s in general. It's very informative and I learnt a lot of things about history as well as about my favorite characters. The writing is fluent and easy to follow even if English isn't your mother tongue.
The book is worth every cent I spent - it's actually quite cheap considering the quality of the paper, the beautiful pictures and the interesting information.
At the end, there is a full cast list and a very interesting section on further reading possibilities.
All in all, I feel like this is an important addition to the television series and really helps us understand the different motivations of different characters.
December 29, 2012
Dies ist bereits das zweite Begleitbuch zur Erfolgsserie “Downton Abbey”. Man sollte es am besten erst lesen, nachdem man die 3. Staffel gesehen hat, um Spoiler zu vermeiden. Jessica Fellowes stellt uns die Charaktere und ihren Hintergrund hier einzeln vor. Viele davon beruhen ja tatsächlich auf Verwandten von Julian Fellowes, dem Onkel von Jessica und Schöpfer der Serie. Wie erfahren mehr über das typische Leben beispielsweise einer Küchenmagd wie Daisy, einer Hausdame wie Mrs Hughes oder auch einer Aristokratentochter wie Mary Crawley. Auch die Schauspieler kommen bezüglich ihrer Rolle zu Wort. Eine schöne Idee: Auf je einer Doppelseite gibt es Fotos von typischen Besitztümern des jeweiligen Charakters zu dieser Zeit. Dazu gibt es zahlreiche schöne Szenenfotos und Zitate aus der dritten Staffel. Im letzten Kapitel wird uns ein Blick hinter die Kulissen gewährt, wir erfahren etwas über die verschiedenen Sets bzw. Drehorte und die Schwierigkeiten, die diese teilweise mit sich bringen, sowie über Design und Ausstattung. Ein wirklich schönes Coffee Table-Buch für alle Fans der Serie!
June 22, 2018
This had too many photos. I honestly think if you're interested in more details about the show read the published scripts for seasons 1-3.
In all honesty this felt like fluff to capitalize on the success of the show.
In all honesty this felt like fluff to capitalize on the success of the show.
July 5, 2024
"It's a brave new world we're headed for, no doubt about that. We must try to meet it with as much grace as we can muster."
i am a lady sybil and
iloove downton abbeeey! ❤️
i am a lady sybil and
iloove downton abbeeey! ❤️
September 21, 2025
Leest heerlijk weg. Extra leuk voordat ik naar de laatste film ging!
January 22, 2013
Now that the third season of the show is under way, I am thoroughly enjoying it. This book was such a nice book to read, explaining each character with a bit of detail. It even made me like Thomas a little bit, him with his selfish, and mischievous ways.
I can't wait to see where the story is going to take Edith. I'm sure Lady Mary will do all she can to make Edith feel bad, wherever her path takes her. But I can see Edith becoming a very strong lady and very independent.
I'm not at all fond of Sybil, the rebellious one. I think her life will be a very unhappy one. But, that is just my opinion, I can't see a happy future for her. Not with that moody, troublesome husband and his problems he is facing in Dublin.
All-in-all I enjoyed this book and think anyone who is a fan of Downton Abbey would enjoy reading it. I liked it enough to award it 5*****
I can't wait to see where the story is going to take Edith. I'm sure Lady Mary will do all she can to make Edith feel bad, wherever her path takes her. But I can see Edith becoming a very strong lady and very independent.
I'm not at all fond of Sybil, the rebellious one. I think her life will be a very unhappy one. But, that is just my opinion, I can't see a happy future for her. Not with that moody, troublesome husband and his problems he is facing in Dublin.
All-in-all I enjoyed this book and think anyone who is a fan of Downton Abbey would enjoy reading it. I liked it enough to award it 5*****
January 27, 2013
Another book for the Downton Abbey fan in your life. Lavish photography, little details, and some interesting photo spreads. While there are details, if you've seen the first episode of the third season, there really are not any spoilers. Two new characters -- Lady Grantham's mother, Mrs. Levinson, and a new footman -- are introduced in the third season, but again, no real spoilers. Worth it, although it is different from the other coffee table book that has been published. Four stars overall.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Jessic...
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Jessic...
January 12, 2013
I'm a huge fan of Downton Abbey! If you've not had the opportunity to watch the show you need to! For those of you that are already fans or if you know someone that is. This would be a great gift for them. The Chronicles of Downton Abbey is a beautifully constructed book with gorgeous photos of the cast members. It even included the newest cast member, Shirley MacLaine. The book not only has insightful character profiles, but also interesting historical facts. Don't worry about spoilers for season 3 though. This book only whets your appetite for the upcoming season. I can't wait to find out what happens between Bates and Anna, and Matthew and Mary. I love, love, love this book!
February 8, 2013
I would suggest that you not read this book until you have started watching Season 3 as this book references some events that occur in Season 3.
If you love Downton Abbey you will love this book! The book is divided in sections about each of the main characters. The sections give you the story of the character, images from the movie, and pictures of items they would have had or used during that time period. This book is beautiful, from the layout, to the large glossy pictures from the movie, to quotes from the movie, it is beautifully done. If you are a fan of the series then this book is a "must" read!
If you love Downton Abbey you will love this book! The book is divided in sections about each of the main characters. The sections give you the story of the character, images from the movie, and pictures of items they would have had or used during that time period. This book is beautiful, from the layout, to the large glossy pictures from the movie, to quotes from the movie, it is beautifully done. If you are a fan of the series then this book is a "must" read!
December 8, 2012
This is a great book for any fan of Downton Abbey. This book is a look into the characters of Downton and what has happened to them in the prior two seasons and a look at what season 3 has in store for them. It gives a look into the new character that was added to the show, Coras mother played by Shirley Maclaine. This book has some beautiful pictures. This was a fun read and great way to fill in the time until the new season starts in January.
December 10, 2012
Porn for Downton fans. Insight into characters, odd historical facts about the era, enigmatical clues about Season 3 and lots of pretty pictures (Mary's wedding dress! Baby Branson!) A good book if you're counting the days until January.
January 12, 2013
I got this as a Christmas present and I love it. Its worth having for the photographs alone. It gives some great background to what was happening in England at the same time as the series, both upstairs and downstairs. This is a great companion piece to a TV series I can't stop raving about.
June 30, 2021
The official companion to all three seasons.
The Great War has ended, but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful…A changing world has brought new challenges and new guests. Inside the walls of the Great House there is more intrigue, rivalry and romance than ever.
The Chronicles of Downton Abbey take you deep into the lives of the Crawleys, their servants, lovers, friends and guests. So wander the crowded servants' quarters and peek into luxurious bed chambers. Go beneath the surface, and experience every aspect of their lives – from daily routines, dressing tables and treasure chests to their most secret hopes and fears.This definitive book explores the lives of every important member of the Downton estate. Focusing on each character individually, it examines their motivations, their actions and the inspirations behind them. An evocative source of story and background, it will take you even deeper into the secret, beating heart of the house.
"Sometimes I feel like a creature in the wilds,whose natural habitat is gradually being destroyed."
"It's a brave new world we're headed for,no doubt about that. We must try to meet it with as much grace as we can muster..."
"It's so encouraging to see the future unfurl". "As long as you remember it will bear no resemblance to the past."
"For years I have watched Governments take control of our lives and their argument is always the same. Fewer costs, greater efficiency,but the result is the same too. Less control by the people,more control by the State,until the individual's own wishes count for nothing.That is what I consider my duty to resist." "By wielding your unelected power."
"War breaks down barriers,and when peacetime re-erects them it's very easy to find oneself on the wrong side."
"I do not speak much of the heart,since it's seldom helpful to do so,but I know well enough the pain when it is broken."
"There can be too much truth in any relationship."
"Poor souls. It's bad enough parenting a child when you like each other."
"Don't worry about me. I'm an American.Have gun,will travel."
"Come war and peace,Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it."
The Great War has ended, but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful…A changing world has brought new challenges and new guests. Inside the walls of the Great House there is more intrigue, rivalry and romance than ever.
The Chronicles of Downton Abbey take you deep into the lives of the Crawleys, their servants, lovers, friends and guests. So wander the crowded servants' quarters and peek into luxurious bed chambers. Go beneath the surface, and experience every aspect of their lives – from daily routines, dressing tables and treasure chests to their most secret hopes and fears.This definitive book explores the lives of every important member of the Downton estate. Focusing on each character individually, it examines their motivations, their actions and the inspirations behind them. An evocative source of story and background, it will take you even deeper into the secret, beating heart of the house.
"Sometimes I feel like a creature in the wilds,whose natural habitat is gradually being destroyed."
"It's a brave new world we're headed for,no doubt about that. We must try to meet it with as much grace as we can muster..."
"It's so encouraging to see the future unfurl". "As long as you remember it will bear no resemblance to the past."
"For years I have watched Governments take control of our lives and their argument is always the same. Fewer costs, greater efficiency,but the result is the same too. Less control by the people,more control by the State,until the individual's own wishes count for nothing.That is what I consider my duty to resist." "By wielding your unelected power."
"War breaks down barriers,and when peacetime re-erects them it's very easy to find oneself on the wrong side."
"I do not speak much of the heart,since it's seldom helpful to do so,but I know well enough the pain when it is broken."
"There can be too much truth in any relationship."
"Poor souls. It's bad enough parenting a child when you like each other."
"Don't worry about me. I'm an American.Have gun,will travel."
"Come war and peace,Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it."
September 17, 2018
I had a difficult time getting excited about the approach of this book at first. It breaks the characters down into chapters and then addresses their lives and situations. My difficulty was that instead of using language that equates the characters with real-life counterparts it treats them as real people. An example, instead of saying: Anna Bates is a character based on a head housemaid who becomes a proper ladies made with the marriage of the daughter she cares for. They say: Anna Bates is a head housemaid who... This description of fictional characters as reality was very confusing to me. The writer and producers have taken pains to tell fans that this world of Downton Abbey was made up whole cloth, and that while characters would have had counterparts in real settings, none lived as real people.
Once I got past this mental block, I did enjoy learning more about the world of these characters. And the pictures were extremely good. I would only recommend this book if someone is a committed fan of the show, but I suspect those are the only people who would gravitate to this book anyway.
Once I got past this mental block, I did enjoy learning more about the world of these characters. And the pictures were extremely good. I would only recommend this book if someone is a committed fan of the show, but I suspect those are the only people who would gravitate to this book anyway.
May 14, 2022
As a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I liked reading more in-depth analyses of the characters. For characters I don’t like, it wasn’t as interesting, but for my favorite characters it was great. I also really liked the behind the scenes information at the end. It was interesting to learn about how much goes into making the show.
The book didn’t really mention major plot points from the show. It was also confusing as to whether it was written about the end of season 3 or the beginning, because some things that happened throughout season 3 were mentioned, but then other major events weren’t talked about at all.
The writing style was very confusing at times. It was very British, but also just not grammatically correct at times. For a lot of words, I wasn’t sure whether it was the British spelling of it or just wrong.
The book didn’t really mention major plot points from the show. It was also confusing as to whether it was written about the end of season 3 or the beginning, because some things that happened throughout season 3 were mentioned, but then other major events weren’t talked about at all.
The writing style was very confusing at times. It was very British, but also just not grammatically correct at times. For a lot of words, I wasn’t sure whether it was the British spelling of it or just wrong.
March 2, 2018
Released before the series 3 premiere, this book details the characters and their stories from the first two series and what might lay in their futures. This means it's a little dated since most fans will have seen the rest of the series by now, but it's still a good companion to the series. It delves into motivations, historical context, and behind the scenes tidbits accompanied by episode stills and quotes. If any of that interests you, then you should enjoy this book.
November 4, 2019
Such a delightful and more in-depth look at individual characters in the series. This was written either during or right before series 3, but it does not spoil anything! I would love to see another of these that covers the rest of the series and I very much love the various historical facts that are written in as well about society, fashion and the like that I have not known before! Such a wonderful read.
September 4, 2022
For Downton Abbey fans, this book is an excellent follow-up to the film. Tidbits include the producers' yearly concern that Maggie Smith might not return for the next season of filming, the COVID delays and the fact that an another film's making and not just the plot of Singing in the Rain involved a voice stand in for the female star. Also worth noting, a picture of Maggie Smith in her Lady Violet costume but with her sneaker like shoes off her feet and on the floor.
June 10, 2023
Pretty disappointed. The first book in the series dealt with a lot of the historical context of the show, so I was hoping this one would really be focused on the show itself. Nope. Lots and lots of historical info interspersed with some text about the characters, and then maybe 90% in it talks about shooting the show and various issues encountered. If you are looking for a behind-the-scenes look at the show Downton Abbey, this is not it.
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