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Upstairs Downstairs #Season 1
Upstairs, Downstairs
A formal introduction to the Bellamys of 165 Eaton Place explores the private lives of the beautiful Lady Marjorie, her politician husband Richard, and their devoted staff of servants during the Edwardian era
425 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
7 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
John Hawkesworth
3 books4 followersJohn Hawkesworth was an English television and film producer and writer best known for his work on the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 6, 2012
Before listening to the audio book of this I had previously watched the entire old tv show and the newest one. I love that the audio book was narrated by Jean Marsh the character we would know as Rose .Jean manages to bring all the characters or Eaton Place to life and after watching all the tv shows I was very pleased how well she did it. ON this audio book alot of the tv series is covered from the arrival of the various staff,affairs, arguments, gossip, political drama, glamour,elegance, bonds and friendship. For anyone who has previosly enjoyed the tv shows this is perfect to have also. It is a joy to listen to.
August 20, 2020
A lovely book bringing back many happy memories of the time that I first read it and of watching it on t.v. It is a timeless story which shows the very strong divisions between the masters of the house and the servants below stairs. One of the things that come across most strongly is the fact that the staff downstairs are bound by a strict set of rules and have a very strong bond of loyalty to each other. They have genuine respect for the people 'upstairs' which I think would have been essential for them to be able to continue carrying out their duties which were so hard, and the working day was ridiculously long. To be in service was not simply a job, our employer had the right to tell you how to live your life and what you must believe, in fact, whilst you were in their service they were more or less your owner and your life pivoted around what they wanted, you came second.
July 16, 2010
Ok. Technically I didn't *read* John Hawkesworth's book. I *inhaled* the BBC TV series. 20 DVDs in about a month I think. I was obsessed and intrigued with the idea of a televised story that focused on class (something that is rarely found in American television, especially today). I can't wait to watch it all over again...in a few years. GoodReads should include movies. Why do so many have such a parochial view of what it means to "read" something? Blimey.
May 21, 2015
I became interested in reading this book after reading an interview with Julian Fellows and finding out this was a part of his inspiration for the TV series Downton Abbey. As a huge Downton fan, I was fortunate to find this book in a used book store. I was not aware, until reading the book's introduction, that the book was written after the English TV series Upstairs Downstairs had ended. Because I enjoyed this book, I'll be watching the TV series very soon.
The book is a story based on the Bellamy family (Upstairs) and their household staff members (Downstairs). There's comedy, drama, tragedy, and romance all packed into this short book. I found Upstairs Downstairs just as interesting to read as if I'd been watching it. I could see several parallels to the Downton series, but not enough to be distracting and nothing was exactly the same so I was never bored with the tale. Although I will admit, any reference to the butler and valet, Mr. Hudson, always put me in mind of the actor who plays Mr. Carson on Downton!
If you enjoy watching Downton Abbey, or the books I Capture the Castle, The House at Riverton, or The House at Tyneford then you will like this book.
The book is a story based on the Bellamy family (Upstairs) and their household staff members (Downstairs). There's comedy, drama, tragedy, and romance all packed into this short book. I found Upstairs Downstairs just as interesting to read as if I'd been watching it. I could see several parallels to the Downton series, but not enough to be distracting and nothing was exactly the same so I was never bored with the tale. Although I will admit, any reference to the butler and valet, Mr. Hudson, always put me in mind of the actor who plays Mr. Carson on Downton!
If you enjoy watching Downton Abbey, or the books I Capture the Castle, The House at Riverton, or The House at Tyneford then you will like this book.
January 7, 2018
Read the book and watched the tv series. Both where excellent.
April 30, 2020
Fun, quick period novel but not what I expected. It’s written like a tv series (it’s based on the tv series, not the other way around!) in that mini plots start and end rather abruptly. Characters that you just are getting to know “leave and never come back” suddenly. It’s odd.
But knowing this series inspired downton abbey I had to read it. It was so easy to see the parallels. Hudson is Carson. Elizabeth is Sybil. Alfred is Thomas. Made me just want to watch downton again.
But knowing this series inspired downton abbey I had to read it. It was so easy to see the parallels. Hudson is Carson. Elizabeth is Sybil. Alfred is Thomas. Made me just want to watch downton again.
March 14, 2021
It’s ok and rather gentle...
March 6, 2014
Hah - this time is the 2010 film:
from imdb - In 1936, Sir Hallam Holland and his pretty young wife Lady Agnes return from a diplomatic posting abroad and take up residence at 165 Eaton Place, formerly the home of the Bellamy family but vacant for several years. By chance, they ask Rose Buck, herself a long-time servant in the Bellamy household, to find them a suitable staff. In the end, Rose herself joins them as the Housekeeper. The 1930s are a difficult time in England. The Depression has taken its toll with high levels of unemployment. Fascism, which has become popular on the Continent in Italy and Germany, is also finding followers in the UK with Oswald Mosely's British Union of Fascists. As the new staff begin their daily work, the downstairs family begins to take shape. Written by garykmcd
relevant history, copied from wiki:
Rumours of affair with Wallis Simpson - Ribbentrop's time in London was also marked by scandal. It was believed by many members of the British upper classes that he was having an affair with Wallis Simpson, the wife of British businessman Edward Simpson and the mistress of King Edward VIII. According to files declassified by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mrs. Simpson was believed to be a regular guest at Ribbentrop's social gatherings at the German Embassy in London where it was thought the two struck up a romantic relationship.[148] It was believed by the Americans at the time that Ribbentrop was said to have used Simpson's access to the King to funnel important information about the British to the German government.[149] Supposedly, Simpson was paid by the Germans for this information and was happy to continue the relationship as long as she received payment. The FBI took the matter seriously enough to advise President Roosevelt of their findings; he once commented to a confidante that Simpson "played around...with the Ribbentrop set."
The truth of the matter is still very much in doubt. Simpson, who later married the former king – he had abdicated to marry her – and was known in later life as the Duchess of Windsor, noted in her book The Heart Has Its Reasons that she met Ribbentrop on only two occasions and had no personal relationship with him.
[image error]
Anthony Eden as Foreign Secretary (1935–38) - The Italian-Ethiopian War was brewing, and Eden tried in vain to persuade Mussolini to submit the dispute to the League of Nations. The Italian dictator scoffed at Eden publicly as "the best dressed fool in Europe." He did not protest when Britain and France failed to oppose Hitler's reoccupation of the Rhineland in 1936. When the French requested a meeting with a view to some kind of military action in response to Hitler's occupation, Eden in a statement firmly ruled out any military assistance to France.
Cecil Beaton - took the famous wedding pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (wearing an haute couture ensemble by the noted American fashion designer Mainbocher).
from imdb - In 1936, Sir Hallam Holland and his pretty young wife Lady Agnes return from a diplomatic posting abroad and take up residence at 165 Eaton Place, formerly the home of the Bellamy family but vacant for several years. By chance, they ask Rose Buck, herself a long-time servant in the Bellamy household, to find them a suitable staff. In the end, Rose herself joins them as the Housekeeper. The 1930s are a difficult time in England. The Depression has taken its toll with high levels of unemployment. Fascism, which has become popular on the Continent in Italy and Germany, is also finding followers in the UK with Oswald Mosely's British Union of Fascists. As the new staff begin their daily work, the downstairs family begins to take shape. Written by garykmcd
relevant history, copied from wiki:
Rumours of affair with Wallis Simpson - Ribbentrop's time in London was also marked by scandal. It was believed by many members of the British upper classes that he was having an affair with Wallis Simpson, the wife of British businessman Edward Simpson and the mistress of King Edward VIII. According to files declassified by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mrs. Simpson was believed to be a regular guest at Ribbentrop's social gatherings at the German Embassy in London where it was thought the two struck up a romantic relationship.[148] It was believed by the Americans at the time that Ribbentrop was said to have used Simpson's access to the King to funnel important information about the British to the German government.[149] Supposedly, Simpson was paid by the Germans for this information and was happy to continue the relationship as long as she received payment. The FBI took the matter seriously enough to advise President Roosevelt of their findings; he once commented to a confidante that Simpson "played around...with the Ribbentrop set."
The truth of the matter is still very much in doubt. Simpson, who later married the former king – he had abdicated to marry her – and was known in later life as the Duchess of Windsor, noted in her book The Heart Has Its Reasons that she met Ribbentrop on only two occasions and had no personal relationship with him.
[image error]
Anthony Eden as Foreign Secretary (1935–38) - The Italian-Ethiopian War was brewing, and Eden tried in vain to persuade Mussolini to submit the dispute to the League of Nations. The Italian dictator scoffed at Eden publicly as "the best dressed fool in Europe." He did not protest when Britain and France failed to oppose Hitler's reoccupation of the Rhineland in 1936. When the French requested a meeting with a view to some kind of military action in response to Hitler's occupation, Eden in a statement firmly ruled out any military assistance to France.
Cecil Beaton - took the famous wedding pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (wearing an haute couture ensemble by the noted American fashion designer Mainbocher).
September 12, 2017
I bought this one at a secondhand shop in June of last year when I was going through a Downton thing, not having seen a single episode of "Upstairs, Downstairs." (When the show was in heavy rotation on PBS, I had little patience for British period dramas.) Now I find myself wondering whether the library has a copy of the DVDs.
Kind of an odd book out for a shelf otherwise full of scientific romance and literary pretensions. It's apparently a novelization of the first season, which gives it kind of an anthology feel - storylines and characters tend to drift in and out. Knowing how I might have felt about it thirty years ago, I wonder how I might feel about it thirty years from now.
Kind of an odd book out for a shelf otherwise full of scientific romance and literary pretensions. It's apparently a novelization of the first season, which gives it kind of an anthology feel - storylines and characters tend to drift in and out. Knowing how I might have felt about it thirty years ago, I wonder how I might feel about it thirty years from now.
October 8, 2021
It reads like just what it is: A "novel" based on a TV series. The chapters read like episodes of a TV show with story lines that are somewhat discontinuous. Nevertheless, it was entertaining enough for me to finish it, although the class segregation of this society bothers me. (owned print edition)
September 30, 2012
Audiobook. A good read. It is clear that Downton Abbey got many of its plot points from this book, although all mixed up. It was good to hear the original.
Read
January 17, 2018I have tried watching, and now reading, and I just can't get over Clemence/Sarah's annoyingness. Bleargh.
April 10, 2022
I watched the shows ages ago. I enjoyed it but don’t remember most details so it was fun to revisit the Bellamy family and staff.
September 5, 2018
O romance histórico é o meu go-to genre, aquele em que pego quando preciso de algo familiar e agradável. Ora, tendo terminado uma colecção de livros intensos e pesados, precisava de um romance rápido para me animar.
Upstairs, Downstairs é um livro ao contrário. Não é um livro que deu origem a uma série televisiva… é uma série televisiva que deu origem a não apenas um, mas vários livros (um por cada season). Claro que só descobri isto depois de ter lido o livro, quando fui pesquisar um pouco. Mas realmente faz sentido, pois nota-se no estilo de escrita um pouco acelerado, sem muitas descrições, com passagens de plano rápidas e sem momentos de introspecção dos personagens. Não deixou no entanto de ser uma leitura envolvente! Farei questão de ver a série, que ocupou os ecrãns entre 1971 1975, assim que conseguir.
Como o título indica, o livro trata duas realidades do período eduardino inglês: a vida dos patrões ricos, no andar de cima, e dos criados pobres, no andar de baixo.
Esta dicotomia está presente ao longo de todo o livro e é questionada por duas personagens: a empregada Sara e a filha dos patrões, Elizabeth. Uma atreve-se a sonhar com mais que uma vida de escravidão; a outra atreve-se a sonhar com um mundo onde essas barreiras sejam menos óbvias.
Interessou-me particularmente a cena dos quadros representada no episódio The Mistress and the Maids. Os quadros e a sua concepção foram comentados de tal forma no livro que me convenci de facto de que existiu um pintor Scone e um par de quadros representando patroa e criadas.
Upstairs, Downstairs é um livro ao contrário. Não é um livro que deu origem a uma série televisiva… é uma série televisiva que deu origem a não apenas um, mas vários livros (um por cada season). Claro que só descobri isto depois de ter lido o livro, quando fui pesquisar um pouco. Mas realmente faz sentido, pois nota-se no estilo de escrita um pouco acelerado, sem muitas descrições, com passagens de plano rápidas e sem momentos de introspecção dos personagens. Não deixou no entanto de ser uma leitura envolvente! Farei questão de ver a série, que ocupou os ecrãns entre 1971 1975, assim que conseguir.
Como o título indica, o livro trata duas realidades do período eduardino inglês: a vida dos patrões ricos, no andar de cima, e dos criados pobres, no andar de baixo.
Esta dicotomia está presente ao longo de todo o livro e é questionada por duas personagens: a empregada Sara e a filha dos patrões, Elizabeth. Uma atreve-se a sonhar com mais que uma vida de escravidão; a outra atreve-se a sonhar com um mundo onde essas barreiras sejam menos óbvias.
Interessou-me particularmente a cena dos quadros representada no episódio The Mistress and the Maids. Os quadros e a sua concepção foram comentados de tal forma no livro que me convenci de facto de que existiu um pintor Scone e um par de quadros representando patroa e criadas.
June 7, 2017
Well, not my usual genre. However it was an enjoyable read with a look at the lives of upper and lower class and the realities both positive and negative for both sides. Not all is peaches and cream for the upper and not all is doom and gloom for the lower. There is a seemingly honest look at both sides and that in some ways each is not so different from the other but at the same time not the same and perhaps growing and achieving something more does not mean there needs to be pure discontent and misery with where you currently are. A surprising depth is to be found in this little book on turn of the century society in England.
April 26, 2023
Pessoalmente, adoro este tipo de romance histórico. A narrativa está super bem construída, assim como os personagens e o enredo. É tudo muito real e verídico. Adoro! O contexto espaço-temporal escolhido também me agrada bastante, porque foi uma época de grandes mudanças e o prelúdio da Grande Guerra Mundial.
Há um fator que para mim é inédito, nunca vi uma série passar a livro, normalmente é o contrário. 😉 Ora, o sucesso foi enorme, tanto da série como dos livros, que marcou a indústria cinematográfica e deixou um legado, inspirando outros a criarem novas obras baseadas em "Upstairs, Downstairs".
Há um fator que para mim é inédito, nunca vi uma série passar a livro, normalmente é o contrário. 😉 Ora, o sucesso foi enorme, tanto da série como dos livros, que marcou a indústria cinematográfica e deixou um legado, inspirando outros a criarem novas obras baseadas em "Upstairs, Downstairs".
May 5, 2020
Excellent and hilarious read! I am a huge Downton Abbey fan and this satiated my hunger for related content. My only complaint is that the chapters—much like TV episodes—did not build off of one another as you would expect and are mini narratives in of themselves. Loved all of the storylines and characters and can’t wait to watch the show!
October 8, 2025
This "novel" is actually a novelization of plots from the TV series Upstairs Downstairs (68 episodes, 1971 -1975). It introduces us to the wealthy Bellamy family and their loyal servants, who live in London in the early 1900's. The stories are good (similar to Downton Abbey); now I have another series to binge watch, on Hulu.
July 23, 2019
Re-reading John Hawkesworth's novelization of the TV series brought back so many great memories. I watched Upstairs, Downstairs growing up and loved each of the characters. A fun glimpse into the Edwardian era and a period of tumultuous change in England.
April 2, 2022
Very melodramatic.
I’ve never seen the TV miniseries.
What made me scratch my head was the several times the narrator baldly intrudes into the plot.
For instance, he says that a certain servant couple never has a chance—what??
Another one for bookmooch.com
Read March 2022
I’ve never seen the TV miniseries.
What made me scratch my head was the several times the narrator baldly intrudes into the plot.
For instance, he says that a certain servant couple never has a chance—what??
Another one for bookmooch.com
Read March 2022
December 18, 2022
Novel based on the PBS/BBC television series. Fun read, lots of nostaglia for me, as I watched the show as a little girl. I could visualize all the characters and hear their British voices as I read it.
Author did a good job with the characters imagined inner lives and thoughts.
Author did a good job with the characters imagined inner lives and thoughts.
April 22, 2019
A fun read!
November 23, 2020
Mielenkiintoinen, erilainen opus. Kyllä tuota luki. Oli viihdyttävä.
March 15, 2022
The story follows the first season of the show. If you enjoyed the series, you will enjoy the book.
February 24, 2024
**Adding books from a recently-unearthed reading journal, in which I recorded some of the titles I read between 1993 and 2005**
March 5, 2024
Klassikkokirja tv-sarjasta, jota en muistaakseni koskaan ole nähnyt. Ihan viihdyttävä kirja, mutta en sen kummempaa osaa sanoa.
January 14, 2013
Upstairs Downstairs is the novelisation of the iconic LWT series from the 1970s; this is the first book in the set and focuses on series 1, which seems to cover the period 1901-07/08.
Series producer John Hawksworth essentially uses the scripts from most of the first series to make up the novel, although there are couple of notable exceptions, which makes for a bit of a gap in the running story threads when compared to the televised version. There's some attempt to flesh-out the characters, but by-and-large the book suffers from the same problems that most novels of original television series do, namely there's a surfeit of dialogue and very little description of the characters' inner world. This means that motivations for key actions are sometimes difficult to understand, and it often feels as though each chapter is merely a series of set piece action points, with little in the way of overall plot to link it all together. I found the habit of individual characters coincidently turning up at vital moments a bit irritating, but as I say, this reflects the drama's origins as a TV production; without a major re-write it would have been tricky for Hawksworth to get the book to flow smoothly and seamlessly.
There are also a few inconsistencies and errors, for example, at one point we are told that Richard Bellamy has been in politics for over 50 years, but this would have been chronologically impossible unless he'd become an MP at the age of five! Still, this is a quick, escapist read that will bring back many happy memories of one of British television's finest ever dramas.
© Koplowitz 2013
Series producer John Hawksworth essentially uses the scripts from most of the first series to make up the novel, although there are couple of notable exceptions, which makes for a bit of a gap in the running story threads when compared to the televised version. There's some attempt to flesh-out the characters, but by-and-large the book suffers from the same problems that most novels of original television series do, namely there's a surfeit of dialogue and very little description of the characters' inner world. This means that motivations for key actions are sometimes difficult to understand, and it often feels as though each chapter is merely a series of set piece action points, with little in the way of overall plot to link it all together. I found the habit of individual characters coincidently turning up at vital moments a bit irritating, but as I say, this reflects the drama's origins as a TV production; without a major re-write it would have been tricky for Hawksworth to get the book to flow smoothly and seamlessly.
There are also a few inconsistencies and errors, for example, at one point we are told that Richard Bellamy has been in politics for over 50 years, but this would have been chronologically impossible unless he'd become an MP at the age of five! Still, this is a quick, escapist read that will bring back many happy memories of one of British television's finest ever dramas.
© Koplowitz 2013
August 26, 2013
This book is based on the television series which I have seen and liked very much. There is not a plot per se but a series of vignettes detailing the lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family upstairs and the servants downstairs. It takes place in the early 1900's in Britain in a house at 165 Eaton Place. The servants downstairs are like a family unto themselves. They argue, gossip, have friendships, share the despair that can sometimes overcome them, and have complete loyalty to their masters upstairs. The book begins with Lady Majorie interviewing for the post of under house-parlourmaid. The downstairs staff thinks this saucy girl is totally unsuitable, but Lady Marjorie is amused by her. Her name is Clemence Dumas, but is quickly changed to Sarah by Lady Marjorie - a proper servant's name. Other characters are Mr. Hudson, the butler; Mrs. Bridges, the cook; Rose, the house parlourmaid; Emily, the Irish kitchen maid; Mr. Pearce, the chauffeur; Miss Roberts, the lady's maid; and Alfred, the footman. Of course, by the end of the book we have some new staff as there is a frequent sacking and hiring of servants. Upstairs there is Lord Bellamy, a rising figure in Parliament; Lady Bellamy, celebrated and beautiful; James Bellamy, the dashing son who is a young Guardsman and playboy; and Elizabeth Bellamy who is very independent and self-willed and defies all social traditions. I enjoyed the story, but liked the TV series much better.
January 19, 2011
Easy listening.
These CDs were enjoyable, easy listening, perfect for car journeys and not too riské for young childrens' ears.
I wish I had seen more of the original series, shown at a time when I was living away from home with no TV access.
Joan Marsh was an excellent narrator - she spoke very clearly and I don't think missed a single word. I initially found her very BBC accent a little difficult to get used to but once the characters overtook the narration it ceased to be a problem.
The action unfolds, as the title suggestes, both in the living areas of the wealthy ownwers, Lady and Mr Bellamy, and below ground amongst their servants. All sorts of intrigue takes place on both levels and although you probably won't keep driving round and round the ring road just to get to the end, it is very entertaining.
This reading is certainly interesting historically, but it was the characters that kept me listening. I was also gratified that Sarah, who disappeared early on, reappeared for her story to be wrapped up. The whole thing is an elegant time-warp soap and I would happily listen to a sequel.
These CDs were enjoyable, easy listening, perfect for car journeys and not too riské for young childrens' ears.
I wish I had seen more of the original series, shown at a time when I was living away from home with no TV access.
Joan Marsh was an excellent narrator - she spoke very clearly and I don't think missed a single word. I initially found her very BBC accent a little difficult to get used to but once the characters overtook the narration it ceased to be a problem.
The action unfolds, as the title suggestes, both in the living areas of the wealthy ownwers, Lady and Mr Bellamy, and below ground amongst their servants. All sorts of intrigue takes place on both levels and although you probably won't keep driving round and round the ring road just to get to the end, it is very entertaining.
This reading is certainly interesting historically, but it was the characters that kept me listening. I was also gratified that Sarah, who disappeared early on, reappeared for her story to be wrapped up. The whole thing is an elegant time-warp soap and I would happily listen to a sequel.
September 30, 2011
This book (and series) is actually a novelisation of the ITV television series that was so popular. It follows the activities and lives of a household in 1903 in Britain. The “upstairs” part stands for the society family – the Bellamy family. The “downstairs” refers to the servants who work for the Bellamys.
At the get-go, we see just how much the servants have to put up with, when Clemence is hired but is told her name will now be Sarah, because “Clemence is not a proper name for a parlourmaid.” However, the servants are still loyal to their masters. They love them and are quite caught up in all the affairs of the upstairs, as they affect their lives as well.
There is no set plot line in this novel, just the events in the lives of the separate families. Which is pretty much the type of book I like. The characters, whether they are upstairs or downstairs, are so very interesting – despite the fact their everyday activities are pretty much the same thing day to day. I would love to see the television series sometime, just to see how the producers and writers from the show envisioned these lovely characters.
At the get-go, we see just how much the servants have to put up with, when Clemence is hired but is told her name will now be Sarah, because “Clemence is not a proper name for a parlourmaid.” However, the servants are still loyal to their masters. They love them and are quite caught up in all the affairs of the upstairs, as they affect their lives as well.
There is no set plot line in this novel, just the events in the lives of the separate families. Which is pretty much the type of book I like. The characters, whether they are upstairs or downstairs, are so very interesting – despite the fact their everyday activities are pretty much the same thing day to day. I would love to see the television series sometime, just to see how the producers and writers from the show envisioned these lovely characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews