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Upstairs Downstairs #Biography 4
Mr. Bellamy's story
Mr. Bellamy's Story (Upstairs Downstairs S.) Hardwick, Michael
- GenresHistorical Fiction
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 22, 2017
Although I was too young (just!) to remember this excellent ITV series on its first showing in the 1970s, I have seen a lot of it on repeat on ITV3. Its dated remarkably well, mostly because it was already dated, being set at the turn of the 19/20th Century, but also because it was obviously well made and very well cast too.
The tv series tie in books where obviously a bit of a trend for this series, giving the individual characters much more back story and fleshing them out where the 1 hour episodes just didn't have time or the luxury to do so. Though well out of print, I like hunting them down and just found another 3 for my collection.
This is an earlier find, Mr Bellamy's Story. It sets the scene of Mr Richard Bellamy, MP, long married, having an unexpectedly quiet evening at his home on Eaton Place, London before the Great War. His wife, Lady Marjorie (whom I never took to in the tv series but perhaps we weren't supposed to?) is out at the theatre with friends and Richard starts to reminisce on his humble beginnings after a brief interview with a young reporter for The Strand Magazine.
Starting with his parents, a Church of England priest and his wife who settle in rural Norfolk, it charts his birth, his odious brother, the reasons they don't get on, Richard's early enthusiasm for learning, his schooling at Rugby and Oxford and his introduction to politics via a very influential historical figure.
A gentle book, interesting to see the story behind a character - each turn would doubtless spawn a mini spin off series by itself, so I understand the novels popularity.
The tv series tie in books where obviously a bit of a trend for this series, giving the individual characters much more back story and fleshing them out where the 1 hour episodes just didn't have time or the luxury to do so. Though well out of print, I like hunting them down and just found another 3 for my collection.
This is an earlier find, Mr Bellamy's Story. It sets the scene of Mr Richard Bellamy, MP, long married, having an unexpectedly quiet evening at his home on Eaton Place, London before the Great War. His wife, Lady Marjorie (whom I never took to in the tv series but perhaps we weren't supposed to?) is out at the theatre with friends and Richard starts to reminisce on his humble beginnings after a brief interview with a young reporter for The Strand Magazine.
Starting with his parents, a Church of England priest and his wife who settle in rural Norfolk, it charts his birth, his odious brother, the reasons they don't get on, Richard's early enthusiasm for learning, his schooling at Rugby and Oxford and his introduction to politics via a very influential historical figure.
A gentle book, interesting to see the story behind a character - each turn would doubtless spawn a mini spin off series by itself, so I understand the novels popularity.
June 18, 2019
How nostalgic!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews