Welcome to the PCH Library Teachers' Reading Group Blog! This blog will serve as a way of extending our book club conversations, should anyone so choose. Feel free to post about a book reported on at a meeting that you chose to read after hearing the report, a book you are currently reading, a question raised by a book you're reading, or anything else you'd like to discuss with book club members.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Second Meeting Featured Title: Below Stairs


Below Stairs by Margaret Powell
Reported by Clare Richardson Report Highlights:
  • This memoir served as part of the inspiration for the hit British television series Downton Abbey and Upstairs/Downstairs.
  • This true version of events stands in stark contrast to shows like Downton Abbey.  Her story is one of very hard work and poor living conditions.
  • Powell worked for a family in London and was in a much smaller house; in total, the house had about 5 servants
  • Powell was raised in a small town in England where she perceived more equality among classes.  In her service as a kitchen maid, she had to serve the other servants as well as the people of the house and was not treated well.
  • Many of her experiences were dehumanizing, and they shed light on the class division still evident in England.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)