Cocoa At Midnight

by Kathleen Clifford, Tom Quinn

Kathleen Clifford was born in 1909. Her family lived in a tiny flat near Paddington Station and her earliest memories were of the smell of horses and the shrill whistle of steam trains.

For a girl from the slums there was only really one option once school was over - a life in service. She started work on 1925 as a lowly kitchen maid in the London home of Lady Diana Spencer's family. Here she heard tales of the Earl's propensity for setting fire to himself, as well as enjoying the servant's gossip about who was sleeping with whom.

The Spencers were just the first in a line of eccentric families for whom she worked during a career that lasted more than thirty earrs and took her from a London palace to remote medieval estates.

But despite long hours, amorous butlers and mad employers, Kathleen always kept her sense of humour and knew how to have fun. On one occasion she was almost caught in bed with her boyfriend who had to jump out of the window and run down the drive in his underwear to escape the local bobby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, History, British Literature, Autobiography

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2013

Reviews

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely and gentle memoir about a young girl who dreamed of being a housekeeper to a posh household, and the various jobs she had leading up to it, including work in Lady Spencer's house from a very young age. Very nicely written and a good laugh. It sounds like she had a wonderful life!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Inside Story of "Downstairs" Cocoa at Midnight, which I won as a Goodreads giveaway, is the true story of Kathleen Clifford's life "in service" in mid-twentieth century Great Britain. It is part of the series The Life of Servants.Written in Ms. Clifford's own voice, her memoir of the "downstairs" life sheds light on the strange institution that was British domestic service, a real-life look at what we've seen on "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey." Ms. Clifford shares her childhood poverty in Paddington, West London, and her early realization, as a young teenager, that the only way out for her was to enter service and make her way up the very long ladder from lowly maid to the highest female service rank of housekeeper. She regales us with the unusual habits of her employers, letting us in on secrets that only someone who was there could know.This is an easy read, written in a colloquial style. One feels like one is having a conversation with Ms. Clifford about her life, and I am grateful to have "met" her and discovered the ins-and-outs of the institution of British service and absolute oddities of the British upper class.

[Guinevere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I think this book would be a pleasure to read for anyone who, like me, just loves becoming immersed in the past in a day-to-day way, looking at a way of life that is foreign, and pretty much non-existent today. Ms Clifford's memories are related in a very straight-forward way and I definitely got the sense that the compiler of this book was careful to not impose themselves onto her personality. Sometimes it felt a bit abrupt but I think that was due to this desire to keep it authentically the way she relayed her story, and in that light I think it works well that way.

What a different time - I really appreciated this chance to see what it may have really been like for a kitchen maid/housekeeper in the 1920's. This makes me want to watch the BBC's Manor House series again, now with my new insight!

[Ana on the Shelves]

Another memoir about the life of a servant that is just a gem.

[Kelly W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I rated this book 4 stars instead of 5, was that I wish it had been longer ! Hearing about a vanished part of history from someone who lived it is my "cuppa tea".
Kathleen Clifford went into "service" at 15 years old in the early 1920s and worked through the 1960s. She went from a dreadfully poor upbringing in Paddington/London to working for aristocratic families in various parts of England.This isn't to say she made much money, but she improved her living circumstances by residing in some of the great homes. A few rooms of her own in an attic were much better than the noisy slums and she didn't have to worry about having enough food. She was, however, "on call" pretty much 24/7 at the whims of her employers.
This book is in the great tradition of Studs Terkel's "Working" and I enjoyed it very much.
I received this book gratis from Goodreads which did not influence my review.

[Shelly Boltz-Zito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely interesting

I always have loved anything to do with Britain and the history of "upstairs, downstairs" just always has me enthralled . This life story makes you feel like you are living it along with her. A different way of life, a different era, a different kind of world that never will be repeated but is a learning experience for is all.

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through the Goodreads giveaways. It is definitely worth the read.

This was a fascinating tale of life in England during the 20th century. Kathleen was born in 1911 and went into service in English mansions working her way up from a cook's helper to a housekeeper.

The story is told very simply and dispassionately. It exemplifies English reserve. But it is well written and enjoyable reading.

I would have given it 5 stars had it been just a bit more detailed and fleshed out. England was on the front lines during two world wars and those events were hardly mentioned. I understand that this was focused on Kathleen's work life but those events in the few mentions that are made, did greatly impact that work.

The family dynamics in the book are also fascinating because there seems to be so little familial connection throughout the society of which she was a part. It seems as if each person was an island no matter how closely they lived.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen Clifford was born in 1906 in the slums of London. As Kat got older she went to a Servant Agency in Mayfair. The Agency sent her to the Wellington House in Hyde Park, from there she went to Lady Diana Spencer's House near Buckingham Palace. There were an army of staff members there; the cook, housekeepers, maids, butlers, footmen, gardeners, hall boys and more. Kat was working in the kitchen as the lowly kitchen maid.

Later she worked for many wealthy families. Kat had a charming personality, subsequently she fit in. This is a true story, very well written from the early 1900's to the 1960's. I have enjoyed the stories of Tom Quinn. All of the stories are different and interesting.

[Mark Hargreaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Different Life

I’ve read several books with these settings and it fascinates me to see how different their lives were from today. The subject of this one, Kathleen Clifford, certainly worked hard for some very interesting people. I wish there had been more descriptions about the subjects, both people and work itself. It’s fascinating to me that so many of the subjects of these books don’t really present much of themselves. Kathleen does describe some personal thoughts and some of her history, but it almost seems that because of the position their jobs had in everyone’s lives, they don’t think they should give full thoughts. All of these books show that it was essential that things change so the workers didn’t get treated like slaves and paid almost nothing.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

✨️ Cocoa At Midnight, Kathleen Clifford ✨️ - ❤️❤️❤️.5

This isn't my usual pick, but I'd been gifted the book a long time ago, and it's now part of my bookshelf challenge (a way I'm keeping myself from spending too much money on books by forcing myself to read the ones I already have 🤣)

This was a really interesting read into a world that seems really far away from life now and in every way it is. I enjoyed having a glimpse into what life was like in the days of upstairs-downstairs, and to read about the changes in the world.

Cocoa At Midnight felt like peeking through the curtain into a world and time that has been feels forgotten, but that very real people lived, loved, and grew old in.

[Laurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life of Service

I've become a fan of these autobiographies of English servants in the grand house. Kate starts out as a kitchen maid at Spencer House, Diana's family, so what could be more enthralling? Then she goes to work in several stately homes of very interesting eccentrics in the countryside. She tells stories of her employers, other servants, boyfriends, villagers, and an age long gone. Kate is very open about her most personal experiences and thoughts which adds a lot of flair to this book. She has ambition and becomes successful. A short historical account of the real servants downstairs.

[Shelley Klausman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining overview of a servants life.

The story ‘s interest lay in a period of time that’s been forgotten and a unique period of time. How the WWI and WWII changed the world and the people. It’s difficult to believe that a group or class of people would be so intertwined and reliant on each other through centuries, one serving the other. I enjoyed learning how the servants entertained themselves and what their work and daily life encompassed.

[FRANCES L RABIDOU]

Enjoyable..

So interesting..kitchen helper who worked her way up to housekeeper. She has a no nonsense and honest air about her that was refreshing and ahead of her time. A very likable character. At times I laughed out loud.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real eye-opener into life 'in service' back in the day. Full of juicy gossip and humour. I read this twice. Interesting locals, people, and events. As a young and attractive 'gal' life would not be too mundane and keeping a sense of humour was a must. I enjoyed this immensely.

[Cindi Boselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this lovely back in time book. Felt as if I were there. Quick read, very sweet and I will look for more of this author.

[Karen hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book

Enjoyable read and interesting too . The only trouble is the rather abrupt ending . Lots more to learn about the life of this lady .

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a gentle read is this. And it contains enough information on the time period in which the author was "in service" that I wish I could read more and more.
Very entertaining and enlightening.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story from start to finish. It was written so honestly about what it was like for people in a world of servitude.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable memoir with a simple yet charming writing style.

[Lorelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir about life as a servant and finding independence in a time when women were meant to be married. Honest and sweet.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I found this book to be a very quick and easy read, due to the conversational style and extremely short chapters, the proofreaders clearly didn't do their job. The description, dust jacket, and inside cover all began with "Kathleen Clifford was born in a West London slum in 1909." However, the first page of chapter 3, where Kathleen begins recounting her life story, opens with, "I was born in Paddington in West London in 1911(!)." So which was it? If Kathleen could recall her entire working past in vivid detail, how could she forget her own birth date? The rest of the book doesn't really clear up this discrepancy, as it gallops around from decade to decade, with age-related discontinuities throughout. Obviously Kathleen's account was heavily embellished by Tom Quinn (as I'm not sure why else he would need to sit on her memoir for 25+ years, as poor Kathleen passed away in 1989 (or so we're told...)), so you'd think it would have been edited somewhere along the way. All that being said, I did enjoy the book, as Kathleen was clearly a very feisty and spirited lady, and had some interesting exploits over the years. A good light read - it'd be an ideal book to take on holiday!

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cocoa at Midnight by Kathleen Clifford and Tom Quinn is an easy to read memoir of what it is like to live a life of service from the age of 15 to past retirement. Clifford discusses what it's like to have limited time with her own family, which proves sometimes difficult when you lose track of an elderly parent, then have the other pass away. Friendships were formed, but not long lasting beyond her time of service at that particular house. But she doesn't complain, she chose her independence and a chance to be self supporting.
I enjoyed reading this memoir. It's a short read that doesn't give a reader much more than what has already been published about living as a housekeeper, but it is an enjoyable, first hand account of service in the early 1900's through the 1960's. One little note of a discrepancy, the story synopsis on the back cover notes that she was born in 1909, but in chapter 3, it is stated she was born in 1911.

****this copy is a promotional copy given to me from a friend who won it in a Goodreads giveaway.***

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, yes, if you're a fan of the "downstairs" folks at Downton Abbey, you'll like this book, but please enjoy it on its own merits. For instead ofthe glamour that we see in D.A., even among the working stiffs, "Cocoa" presents a grittier view of the servant life.

One of a series of books presenting the life stories of domestic staff, "Cocoa" is the narrative of Kathleen Clifford, from her beginnings as a kitchen .maid to her eventual status as housekeeper - a position more prestigious in the early-to-mid-20th century house-staff world than today's connotations of the word would present.

who would better know the masters/mistresses of the house than those who wait on them - their follies, foibles, quirks; their highs and lows - than those "inferiors," usually invisible to their employers, who see all and share the information with their peers?

After reading "Cocoa" you may decide that your job and your boss aren't quite so bad after all.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathleen Clifford started out her career as a kitchen maid and worked her way up to housekeeper. She was an ambitious woman whose focus on her career was her life. Her life as a servant was during the time that people slowly stopped having servants. People were not as rich before the second work war and didn’t keep such huge houses or have enormous parties. Her working life was during a time of great change. Out went the formal stuffy rules and in came a more relaxed informal lifestyle. Kathleen’s life was not a pampered life but she never complained. She wasn’t for self pity. She was made of tougher stuff. Her life was not an exciting story of mischief or sorrow. She led a simple life doing her work. This was certainly an interesting look into the life of a servant during an equally interesting time in history. I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Gayle Slagle]

My Life as a Housekeeper, the memoire of Kathleen Clifford written with Tom Quinn, is an excellent book and should appeal to any reader who enjoys stories about the lives of household staff in wealthy English families. Fans of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey will enjoy this true account of the life a charming woman who spent most of her life as a domestic in three English households. For the most part sacrificing her own life in order to serve her families, Kathleen led a life which she found satisfying and rewarding. The book provides insight into the lives of dedicated domestics and also into the lives of those whom they served. In addition,it also gives an interesting view of life in England in the early part of the 1900's. The book kept my interest throughout and I feel that those readers who enjoy nonfiction will not be disappointed.

[Yasameen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book really interesting. The stories Ms. Clifford had to tell were about a different world! I am a fan of Downton Abbey and this book fit into that world. I did think the book was going to be different from the description. The description mentioned the Spencer family and Ms. Clifford did work for them but briefly. The other families she worked for were not as high profile but ended up being entertaining all the same. I wasn't a big fan of the general structure of the book. Some of the chapters were very short and needlessly so. I wish I could give it a 3.5 because I generally liked and enjoyed the story.

I forgot to mention that I won this book as a First Read!

[Clemie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathleen Clifford, born in 1911, had a great flair for numbers. Despite only one year of "senior school" she followed her dreams.
Kat was a young woman of limited means who built a career in service as a housekeeper. She speaks in a conversational tone of her adventures in the crumbling estates of old.. Bright and lively, she moves smartly through life finally finding a dream job as a shop clerk in the world's first department store.
"Cocoa at Midnight" is an engaging memoir of a woman's career long ago. She reaches through time to confide and befriend us!

***this book was received through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway***

[Alice S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard story with a beautiful end, Cocoa at Midnight describes the London working-class life during the 30-50's.
Biographical book, the main character, Kat, has to face life's adversities in the world of servants, struggling with all kind of landowners. You can have a picture of what it was like to survive in those times.
I enjoyed it. The events were so well described that I couldn't help reading it until the end

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fascinating learning how servants and housekeepers worked and lived years ago. I liked the author's voice. She was straightforward and funny and sometimes nostalgic. It was a great read, and I highly recommend it.
I'm glad Goodreads offered this book free to read and review...it was good to have the chance to read it. Thanks!

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy to read book that takes us thru the life of a housekeeper in the 20's. I did enjoy the book but found it to be a bit boring. Also, when was she really born? In 1909 as stated on the back cover or in 1911 as stated in the book? Not a book I would highly recommend to my friends.

FTC disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.