Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Downton Abbey'

I bought this book solely on the basis of the second half of the title - "The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That Inspired 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Downton Abbey'". I am a far bigger fan of Downton Abbey than I was of Upstairs, Downstairs, but never mind that. What a charming and delightful memoir!The book's notes say that the first volume of Margaret Powell's memoirs were first published in 1968. That would also be consistent with the declaration that this book helped inspire Upstairs, Downstairs which I think originally ran from 1971-1975. I am assuming (but I may be wrong), that this book is the compilation of her original memoirs. Since the author passed away in 1984, she couldn't very well have added anything recently unless the family came across additional writings which she might have done.Anyway, onto the book itself which is charming and written in very British English. I had to resort to the dictionary a few times to find the meaning of a British term with which I was unfamiliar, but who doesn't love learning some new words? It tells Margaret's story in her own words, from childhood through older age when she was finally able to return to school. It was so easy to put myself in her place as the story unfolded, trying to imagine what I might have said or done in the same circumstances which she describes as first a kitchen maid in service and then a cook.One thing I might want to point out to potential readers who are expecting to read something with a storyline like Downton Abbey's multilayered saga - This is Margaret's personal story. Other characters enter and exit, but it is essentially Margaret's struggle to survive in service during the early part of the 20th century. She describes in first person a bygone era which we now watch on television. I can't always agree with her opinions or decisions at times, but I greatly respect the journey which she took as well as the ultimate thirst for life and learning which she embodied.The only reason this book received four stars instead of five is a very personal one. I loved reading the novel from beginning to end, but I wish it had been a little more detailed in places. I would have liked to have known what happened to the author's family, for example. I would have liked to have known a bit more about how she met and courted Albert the milkman. I would have loved to have heard about the rest of her personal life, but I suppose there are only so many pages in a book. Either way, the lack of one star does not mean a lack of quality in the book. Reading this book is like sitting down and listening to the tales of a beloved relative with tales to tell. It's an opportunity you don't want to miss.

This was a humorous account of life in service in the early to mid 1900s. Margaret Langley Powell [1907-1984] started in the lowest position of service in the British household, that of being a cook's helper; meaning she did all the dirty work in the kitchen. She finally rose to the rank of cook with her own helper, after which she became an author and life was a bit easier for her later years. Since this book was originally published in 1968, she really had a hard life until she was 61.I particularly loved her descriptions of life in service without the use of vulgar language thrown in gratis by most modern authors. I would like to give a few examples that sum up her thoughts, at least as I see them.1. "...when you see an economic recipe and they say you can't taste the difference from the original, [normally this meant substituting margarine for butter] well probably you can't if you've never eaten the original." P962. In speaking of her disdain for employers always being practical, "At Christmas we got presents of cloth to make things with, aprons and horrible sensible presents." P983. One of the cutest stories about sex without using the word was told about the upstairs parlor maid Gladys and her family, "According to Gladys, her father drank like a fish and he came home most nights roaring drunk and incapable. I used to think he couldn't have been SO incapable, otherwise her mother couldn't have had nineteen children, could she?" :)4. In describing her regular Spring cleaning chores at one household she says, "During these four weeks I got up at five o'clock each morning and I worked until eight o'clock at night. Then I had to get supper for the servants after that. We all worked those hours, but of course, I remember mine in particular because it was mine that made me tired, not theirs." P1215. In describing an outhouse still used at one home Margaret says, "And it had one of those seats with two holes. The sort for Darby and Joan who couldn't bear to be separated. Talk about two hearts that beat as one! Heaven knows it was lethal enough when only one had been in. I shouldn't think two could have come out alive." :05. In discussing the advantages that employers gave for paying low wages and stressing what the servant would learn, she says, "When I left domestic service I took with me the knowledge of how to cook an elaborate seven course dinner and an enormous inferiority complex; I can't say I found those an asset to my married life." P1916. To explain poverty and sex she said, "...when I was a child I'd lived on a street where most babies were born as a result of Saturday night reveries. They were known as beer babies." P193I really liked this little book which can easily be read in one very long sitting or several shorter ones. It kept my interest throughout, and the lack of any vulgar language was a refreshing change. I would say it is a safe book for middle aged kids, although they may ask what some of the anachronistic terms mean. I highly recommend this book to all.

In 1920, Margaret Langley - only thirteen years old - left school to become a scullery maid for a wealthy household. As the second eldest in a large, poverty-stricken family, Margaret long knew she would have to help support the others. Although scullery maids were among the lowest of all domestic servants, working long hours for little pay, Margaret and her family hoped that eventually she would work her way up to being cook, one of the best positions.During the 1920s, young Margaret worked for several different households. In this memoir, she recollects in vivid detail the posh lifestyle enjoyed by some of England's wealthiest families -- and the huge domestic staffs that were required to make that a reality. Margaret and the cooks spent the bulk of their days preparing elaborate multi-course meals (while themselves dining on only the cheapest, plainest foods). Margaret also had to perform unimaginable duties, such as scrubbing the home's front door every morning and ironing the boot laces of each family member's footwear. If she did not complete these tasks well enough, Margaret was sent back to redo as many times as needed.Eventually, Margaret did become a cook - and she did marry a milkman named Albert Powell, successfully landing where many servant girls only dreamed of.While this book isn't exactly hugely plot-driven, it IS an interesting account of a lifestyle long gone. Readers who enjoy Downton Abbey or historical works will definitely enjoy the reminiscences of Margaret Langley Powell, as she remembered them in the 1980s.

Margaret Powell gives a very frank insight into her life as a kitchen maid and later as a cook. Previous to that she describes a little of her childhood in Hove.The book flows naturally, as though she was sitting opposite to you and perhaps pausing to drink from a cup of tea. I think she was a natural story teller, and this makes the book a very enjoyable read. At no time was she asking for pity or sympathy; she was simply telling it just how it was. Although it was an insight into how life in service was for her, in a way there were no surprises. I think most people have a pretty good idea of how it was, although perhaps the very youngest people may find it all very strange. I think the only thing that surprised me was her having to take out bootlaces and iron them, in addition to polishing the boots. I thought presumably it would take ages to re-lace them so that the laces laid flat after every turn.It certainly makes you realise how much we are now a meritocracy, with life being just what we ourselves make of it. In Margaret's days there appeared to be very little chance at all of breaking out of the strata in which you were born.I am now reading Climbing the Stairs, the next book, which will perhaps reveal that she managed to make a better life for herself after all.

I always enjoy these real life stories of people who lived (not always easy lives) in the early part of the twentieth century. I recently read Four Meals for Fourpence which was about growing up in London in poor and bitter circumstances. This book tells of Margaret, born in 1907, who leaves home at 13 to go into service. Her struggles to work her way up the ladder of those `downstairs' is fascinating reading - her indomitable spirit shows through the entire story. Never one to take her circumstances lying down, Margaret strives to better herself and pragmatically to make a life for herself outside of service. Margaret writes with wry humour and never fails to call a spade a spade - she sounds like a remarkable woman whom it would have been a privilege to meet. Highly recommended.

This is the real story of a woman working as a maid in various affluent London homes in the first half of the 20th century. Margaret Powell was born into a poor family and after a short but happy childhood, had little choice but join the legions of underpaid and overworked young women in domestic service. It makes for depressing reading in places, as conditions were hard and there was next to no social mobility in those days for those born into the working classes. However, Margaret managed. Unfortunately, the part where she escapes her dull destiny is somewhat blurred - she met her husband, married him and later finished her education and wrote this book. Despite the lack of detail about Margaret's escape from servitude, this book is a fascinating first-hand account of social conditions in Britain from 1920 to ca. 1950 - well written and captivating with plenty of wry observations.

I first read this book just after it was published. Margaret Powell was a guest on many chat shows and was very funny. Although, many people have said that the book was "hilarious" I don't actually think it was. It is an excellent comment about life between the wars, and quite a sad story of a plain girl's journey into womanhood. There are the occasional parts that made me smile, but there was nothing to make me laugh out loud. Having said all this, I loved the book, I read it many times when I had the paperback years ago, and have read it twice since buying it for the Kindle. I sincerely hope all of her other books will soon appear on the Kindle list so I can buy them again too.

A good description of life as a servant without the glamour of tv series. However the authenticity of some events remains questionable. It could be related to protecting the identity of other servants or the author avoids mentioning some things out of respect for the family she worked for.