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Habits of the House
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
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Publisher's summary
From the award-winning novelist and writer of Upstairs Downstairs, the launch of a brilliant new trilogy about what life was really like for masters and servants before the world of Downton Abbey
As the Season of 1899 comes to an end, the world is poised on the brink of profound, irrevocable change. The Earl of Dilberne is facing serious financial concerns. The ripple effects spread to everyone in the household: Lord Robert, who has gambled unwisely on the stock market and seeks a place in the Cabinet; his unmarried children, Arthur, who keeps a courtesan, and Rosina, who keeps a parrot in her bedroom; Lord Robert's wife Isobel, who orders the affairs of the household in Belgrave Square; and Grace, the lady's maid who orders the life of her mistress.
Lord Robert can see no financial relief to an already mortgaged estate, and, though the Season is over, his thoughts turn to securing a suitable wife (and dowry) for his son. The arrival on the London scene of Minnie, a beautiful Chicago heiress with a reputation to mend, seems the answer to all their prayers.
As the writer of the pilot episode of the original Upstairs, Downstairs—Fay Weldon brings a deserved reputation for magnificent storytelling. With wit and sympathy—and no small measure of mischief—Habits of the House plots the interplay of restraint and desire, manners and morals, reason and instinct.
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Critic reviews
“With a tony accent and wry humor, Katherine Kellgren narrates this story of an upper-class family on the verge of losing the life its members have always known…Written by the author of ‘Upstairs Downstairs,' Habits of the House will delight fans of ‘Downton Abbey' and those who enjoy dry wit coupled with excellent narration.” —AudioFile Magazine
“Narrator Katherine Kellgren creates an amazing variety of voices for the numerous characters both British and American…Kellgren captures the subtle humor and the satire in author Fay Weldon's writing.” —Sound Commentary
“Narrator Kellgren creates distinct voices for all involved: servants, aristocracy and wealthy, title-seeing Americans.” —The Plain Dealer
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In 1928, Rosina Harrison arrived at the illustrious household of the Astor family to take up her new position as personal maid to the infamously temperamental Lady Nancy Astor, who sat in Parliament, entertained royalty, and traveled the world. "She's not a lady as you would understand a lady" was the butler's ominous warning. But what no one expected was that the iron-willed Lady Astor was about to meet her match in the no-nonsense, whip-smart girl from the country.
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AWFUL!! I was very disappointed.
- By The Louligan on 08-12-13
By: Rosina Harrison
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Vanity Fair
- By: William Makepeace Thackeray
- Narrated by: John Castle
- Length: 31 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Set during the time of the Napoleonic Wars, this classic gives a satirical picture of a worldly society. The novel revolves around the exploits of the impoverished but beautiful and devious Becky Sharp who craves wealth and a position in society. Calculating and determined to succeed, she charms, deceives and manipulates everyone she meets. A novel of early 19th-century English society, it takes its title from the place designated as the centre of human corruption in John Bunyan's 17th-century allegory.
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The Best Narration, One of the Greats
- By James Abraham on 05-18-13
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The Rise of Silas Lapham
- By: William Dean Howells
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Howells’ best-known work and a subtle classic of its time, The Rise of Silas Lapham is an elegant tale of Boston society and manners. After garnering a fortune in the paint business, Silas Lapham moves his family from their Vermont farm to the city of Boston in order to improve his social position. The consequences of this endeavor are both humorous and tragic as the greedy Silas brings his company to the brink of bankruptcy.
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Important for the Era
- By Brent on 03-19-23
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Refining Felicity
- The School for Manners, Book One
- By: M. C. Beaton
- Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
- Length: 4 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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When Amy and Effy Tribble, two charming but impoverished spinster sisters, lose out on a much needed inheritance, they place an advertisement in The Morning Post and hire themselves out as professional chaperones. Vowing to prepare even the most difficult misses for marriage, the Tribble sisters will spend a London season on each client in this delightful Regency series, The School for Manners. Felicity Baronsheath, their first assignment, turns out to be more of a challenge than they ever imagined.
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What a shame
- By M.Redding on 06-06-18
By: M. C. Beaton
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Upstairs & Downstairs
- My Life In Service as a Lady's Maid
- By: Hilda Newman, Tim Tate
- Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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The year was 1935: the twilight of the English aristocracy. It was a time of wealth and glamour; of lavish balls and evening gowns; of tiaras and a coronation. As personal maid to Lady Coventry, Hilda Newman had a unique insight into the leisured life of one of Britain's most noble families. In her fascinating memoir of life upstairs and down, Hilda takes us back to this period between the wars; a gilded era which would soon be dramatically changed by the Second World War.
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Wonderful listen!!
- By J.T. on 09-25-19
By: Hilda Newman, and others
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My Lady Ludlow
- By: Elizabeth Gaskell
- Narrated by: Susannah York
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Lady Ludlow's appalling snobbery, prejudice and bred-in-the-bone conviction as to the superiority of the English aristocracy and their feudal way of life are deliciously tested, and found wanting, in this gently radical tale of the collapse of a social system. Elizabeth Gaskell's My Lady Ludlow is a brilliant picture of the shift in power in a rural northern village, from the velvety feudal Ludlows to the glitter of the new money rattling through the system courtesy of the brazen baker from Birmingham.
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A treat
- By Tad Davis on 03-04-20
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Mr. Darcy's Daughters
- By: Elizabeth Aston
- Narrated by: Morag Sims
- Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Picking up 20 years after Pride and Prejudice left off, Mr. Darcy's Daughters begins in the year 1818. Elizabeth and Darcy have gone to Constantinople, giving us an opportunity to get to know their five daughters, who have left the sheltered surroundings of Pemberley for a few months in London.
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soooo much drama!
- By Kindle Customer on 09-12-20
By: Elizabeth Aston
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Devoted to the Duke
- The St. Clairs, Book 1
- By: Alexa Aston, Dragonblade Publishing
- Narrated by: Price Waldman
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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After returning to London from his Grand Tour, serious-minded Jeremy St. Clair, the Marquess of Sather, attends a ball and meets a luminescent beauty who draws him out of his shell. They share a searing kiss - her first - and though he never planned to wed, Jeremy desires to make this young woman his. But his life takes an unexpected turn when he leaves her that night.
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EXCELLANT NARRATION!!
- By Edwina "I Love books" on 11-09-19
By: Alexa Aston, and others
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Wives and Daughters
- By: Elizabeth Gaskell
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 25 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Wives and Daughters centers on the story of youthful Molly Gibson, brought up from childhood by her father. When he remarries, a new stepsister enters Molly's quiet life, the loveable, but worldly and troubling, Cynthia. The narrative traces the development of the two girls into womanhood within the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.
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It's not about the ending!
- By Sandra on 07-25-05
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The Way We Live Now
- By: Anthony Trollope
- Narrated by: Timothy West
- Length: 32 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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In this world of bribes, vendettas, and swindling, in which heiresses are gambled and won, Trollope's characters embody all the vices: Lady Carbury is 'false from head to foot'; her son Felix has 'the instincts of a horse, not approaching the higher sympathies of a dog'; and Melmotte - the colossal figure who dominates the book - is a 'horrid, big, rich scoundrel...a bloated swindler...a vile city ruffian'. But as vile as he is, he is considered one of Trollope's greatest creations.
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Finally!
- By Laurene on 06-05-10
By: Anthony Trollope
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Nobody's Sweetheart Now
- By: Maggie Robinson
- Narrated by: Gemma Dawson
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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England, 1924. Lady Adelaide Compton has recently (and satisfactorily) interred her husband, Major Rupert Charles Cressleigh Compton, hero of the Somme, in the family vault in the village churchyard. Rupert died by smashing his Hispano-Suiza on a Cotswold country road while carrying a French mademoiselle in the passenger seat. With the house now Addie's, needed improvements in hand, and a weekend house party underway, how inconvenient of Rupert to turn up - not in the flesh, but as a spirit! Rupert has to perform a few good deeds before becoming welcomed to heaven.
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Fresh New Voice For Me..Very Good
- By John on 08-06-20
By: Maggie Robinson
What listeners say about Habits of the House
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- CINDY ANDERSON
- 04-08-13
A Downtonlike story read by my favorite narrator?
Is there anything you would change about this book?
I found it a light, fun tale. Just what I needed!
Would you be willing to try another book from Fay Weldon? Why or why not?
I plan to check in to her other offers.
What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?
I was saddened to read a poor review by someone else which prompted me to write one myself! I LOVE Katherine Kellgren and since falling in love with her Bloody Jack characters have searched her out and will continue listening and enjoying her narration! Keep up your excellent work Katherine, I enjoy you SOOOOO!
Do you think Habits of the House needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
Sure.
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10 people found this helpful
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- John
- 08-19-13
Pretty Thin Soup
If you're not tired of Downton Abbey and need to catch up on the 1899 Belgravian gossip this may be the book for you. It involves a clutch of matrons and maids nattering about clothes and what to serve thePrince of Wales when (and if) he comes to dinner. All told in the worn style of supercilious irony (e.g. Women "produce" children in this novel, they just can't "have" them) that should have gone out with Wodehouse
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1 person found this helpful
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- M. J. Christensen
- 03-26-15
If You Like Downton Abbey
This novel by prolific British novelist, Fay Weldon, is enjoyable and a fun listen. Each chapter is headed by the time and date - maybe some listeners might not like that, but I found it helped me keep track of the plot. This is like Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs as we are introduced to characters from both the upper and lower strata of English society during the Edwardian years. I liked it enough to continue on with the trilogy.
It took awhile for me to get acclimated to Katherine Kellgren's voice, but then I enjoyed her reading.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 02-21-15
Read for narrator, Kellgren wonderful, story eh
I actually found this audiobook while browsing recordings by one of my favorite narrators, Katherine Kellgren. This book happened to showcase her talents for many character voices - she can do so many carried British dialects, American dialects, both females and males, and sound great. This book had them - the traditional aristocracy, their servants of various backgrounds, the American heiress and her somewhat uncouth mother... All beautifully and seamlessly brought to life.
The story was very Downton Abbey, and no surprise. Though, the family portrayed here has starker issues if you ask me, with such bad financial management and the men's extracurricular activities. The composition was interesting - following the different parties throughout their days as the events transpired. Funny how so many people who live in the same house could regard and deal with the same problems so differently. A not inaccurate portrayal of the lifestyle of the time, I'm sure. And I actually learned a bit I hadn't known about the royal family and 1899 world affairs; woot for the part of historical fiction, heh.
Overall a good read for fans of the upstairs-downstairs style or anything generally on late Victorian society. The only part I didn't care for was the scene with Flora - just went too far in descriptions (not thoroughly and explicitly graphic, but at least highly suggestive and around the edges of an activity I found appalling); not to my tastes, and I'm sure not at all proper by Isobel's standards either.
And the sudden jump startled me at the end of the book- I wish Weldon hadn't just skipped a week of events, rather gave the results as a society news story, but all of the loose ends were tied. Will consider reading the sequels, but am not feeling compelled to do so immediately - the style just wasn't urgently gripping in that way, but it kinda grows on you, so I'll let it sit for a while before revisiting the Dilborns.
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- Deborah
- 03-11-13
Excellent start, poor finish
What did you like best about Habits of the House? What did you like least?
Good dialogue, good attention to detail of the period. The characters were well described. I liked the twists and turns. My biggest complaint is the abrupt finish. It seems as if the author had reached her word count, and just wanted to be done. So a "Deus Maccia" (sp?) device is used and in two paragraphs everything is settled, done, fini. Infuriatingly, simplistic conclusion.
Would you be willing to try another book from Fay Weldon? Why or why not?
I have read others, was much more impressed.
What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?
Great range of voices and accents.
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3 people found this helpful
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- J. Olsen
- 06-29-13
Good story made GREAT by an excellent narrator
Would you listen to Habits of the House again? Why?
Not a lot of plot, but tons of fascinating character, each performed to perfection by Katherine Kellgren. I chose this book because I'm missing "Downton Abbey" and because I will listen to anything read by this narrator. She does not simply read the words, she breathes life into each character. It is another faultless performance!
What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Katherine Kellgren creates such compelling and fully realized characters! It's difficult to believe that one person is playing all of these wonderful character.
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- Stacy
- 11-14-16
Narrator diminishes and entertaining book
The story it's self is entertaining enough. It ends rather awkwardly and the description of the book doesn't exactly line up with the actual story but that's OK because the story itself is just as good as what the expectation had been. It's the narrator who makes this a difficult listen. Several people heard me listening to this book and each one commented on how bad the voice was. The accent was over exaggerated and at times some of the voices sounded screechy. If you can stand the different accents, you would enjoy this book well enough. But that's a big if.
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- Maureen Devine
- 01-26-13
Hilarious!
If you could sum up Habits of the House in three words, what would they be?
hilarious rendering of life below and above stairs in a Victorian society household.
What other book might you compare Habits of the House to and why?
Same time, different social strata in many books by Anne Perry.
What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?
Her voices were priceless.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
This book made me laugh out loud.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Andre L. Gray
- 03-08-13
Not a good reader
Is there anything you would change about this book?
Yes. The reader. She reads as if there are no commas or periods. Her British accent sounds false and contrived. She really is ruining a good story by her style of reading. And she should slow down her pace.
What other book might you compare Habits of the House to and why?
The Age of Innocent. It has the same feel but the English Aristocrats are looking for money to bail out their debts and to maintain their way of life.
How could the performance have been better?
If the reader could slow her pace and read with a better British accent.
Could you see Habits of the House being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?
It would be perfect for Master Piece Theater!
Any additional comments?
Overall, the story is very good.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Allison Kappadahl
- 02-23-13
Not quite Downton
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
If you like Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs this book is a good one
What did you like best about this story?
its a little funny
What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?
I love her voice.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
not quite
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3 people found this helpful