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From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â "Drinking is very important at Downton Abbey. At least three types of wine are served at every upstairs dinner, plus port for the gentlemen after it. There's alcoholic punch at parties, plenty of Champagne, and, as the years go by, the gradual adoption of the cocktail." And so,... Continue Reading →
Downtonites have been patiently awaiting the arrival of the Downton Abbey movie since its official announcement in the summer of 2018. The possibility of a feature film of the phenomenally popular British period drama television series had been rumored (and wished for) since the final episode of season six aired in the UK on Christmas... Continue Reading →
Acclaimed by critics and cherished by fans, Downton Abbey is the most popular period drama ever. North America is all anticipation of the premier of Season 5 on January 4, 2015 on Masterpiece Classic PBS. Until then, feed your Downtonite with these great holiday gifts. GIFTS 1. What Is A... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laura A. Wallace:  Originally published in 1989, this 2012 re-issue of To Marry and English Lord is an attractive trade paperback edition by Workman Publishing. Promoted as “an inspiration for Downton Abbey,” Julian Fellowes, the screenplay writer who created the series, has been quoted as saying that he was reading this... Continue Reading →
After re-discovering The Passing Bells – after a thirty-year estrangement – I was thrilled to learn there were two more books in the Greville Family Saga. Originally published between 1978 - 1986, this welcome reissue of the trilogy by William Morrow Books is just in time for fans of the popular television series Downton Abbey... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Christina Boyd:Â Now that the third season of Downton Abbey has ended and left us quite reeling, what better balm to soothe our broken hearts than this new Edwardian series, Summerset Abbey by debut writer T. J. Brown. The year is 1913, the prelude to WWI, and three young women gently... Continue Reading →
I love a good mystery. I just didn’t know that I would be so personally engaged in one for over thirty years. In 1980 a read a book about an aristocratic English family during WWI that I absolutely adored. I was so enthusiastic about it that I promptly loaned it to my best friend who... Continue Reading →
Seven months until Downton Abbey season 3 airs on Masterpiece Classic PBS. So, what’s a Downtonite to do in the meantime besides re-watching the first two seasons again? Why – read of course. Please join us today in welcoming author Abby Grahame on her blog tour in celebration of the publication of Wentworth Hall, released... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laura A Wallace: The Countess of Carnarvon has written a biography of one of her predecessors: Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, wife of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. This book lacks depth but is fairly well written and well researched. It does not purport to be a sophisticated biography, being entirely without... Continue Reading →
“True originality consists not in a new manner but in a new vision.” – Edith Wharton Edith Wharton, Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, short story writer, designer, and taste-setter of her time was born 150 years ago today. Huzzah! Renowned for her novels: The House of Mirth (1905), Ethan Frome (1911), The Age of Innocence (1920),... Continue Reading →
Season one of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic PBS concludes this Sunday, January 30th. This new Edwardian-era period drama was incredibly popular when it first aired in the UK last Fall, and now is also a huge hit with North American audiences. Many viewers will be happy to know that a second season and Christmas... Continue Reading →
One of the consolations of being trapped inside during the cold, wet Pacific Northwest winter in the prospect of great television from Masterpiece Classic on PBS. Celebrating its 40th year on the air, the longest-running and most-honored drama series in primetime announced its new 2011 season this past week. There are some exciting new productions... Continue Reading →
