While I hoped that I would be making vast inroads into my TBR bookcase during this season of not buying books, it hasn't quite worked out that way. Besides borrowing numerous books from the library, I have been revisiting some of the books on my shelves. One author that I fished out last week was Margaret Powell and her second volume of autobiography Climbing the stairs (I have yet to spot the first volume Below stairs in a shop).
One of the things I love about reading books is the ability to encounter worlds that one is unfamiliar with, whether they are of a different occupation, different culture or different time. Margaret Powell was a domestic servant, and although I know quite a bit about this occupation from visiting National Trust properties with "below stairs" rooms open, it is hugely fascinating. Below stairs is a memoir of her years spent in service; sent into service at the age of 15 she started as a kitchen maid and worked her way up as cook. It was an immensely popular book, selling 14,000 copies in its first year (yet there are only 12 copies on librarything.com) and this success lay partly behind the commissioning of the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs.
Climbing the stairs tells the story of Powell's life outside of work. It begins with her exploits on her afternoons out (tea at Lyon's Corner house, dances, dates with unsuitable young men) and then tells us what happened next; she fell in love with the milkman and she left service to get married. They set up home and had children; it was not an easy life as they did not have much money but they managed some holidays/
If this is a topic you are interested in, I would also recommend Pamela Horn's Life below stairs in the twentieth century which is a study of domestic service in Britain last century. It draws on lots of accounts, including Powell, and is a thoroughly absorbing read. Another perspective on this world can be found in Monica Dickens' account of her work as a cook-general in a similar period in One pair of hands.
A Couple of short(ish) reviews
3 hours ago
This is such a fascinating topic and thank you for mentioning those book titles. Did you know that a remake of Upstairs/Downstairs is in the works? Jean Marsh is playing a part and I for one can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI've not even seen the original Upstairs Downstairs although this is something I must rectify Darlene!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I had never heard of these books before but they sound utterly wonderful! I will be looking for these in the library as I am trying not to buy any new books either!
ReplyDeleteSimon - they are very much of their time. Below stairs is definitely worth a read if your library has it - probably languising in a store somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I am a huge fan of Upstairs Downstair, Remains of the Day, Mrs Brown, anything that shows life downstairs. Until you fall in love with the show, Upstairs Downstairs can be disappointing in the earlier episodes becuase film quality is not good, there are even several episodes that are in black and white because of some strike that was going on during filming. But the are all still good anyway. I recommned you start from the very beginning.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they are making a new UD. I am glad Jean Marsh is involved. That reminds me I have been meaning to post about her since I read Manservant and Maidservant...
Oh wow, that sounds incredible! I'm also a huge fan of Upstairs Downstairs, and these are going on my search list immediately. Also pleased to hear they're making a remake of UD...what fun!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting.I enjoyed Below Stairs and always wondered if there was more to Mrs. Powell's story. Now I'll have to hunt for Climbing the Stairs. Monica Dicken's book was also interesting, haven't read Pamela Horn's. The Rise and Fall of the Victorian Servant is another good book.
ReplyDeleteGrahzina - thanks for popping by. She has written a number of sequels actually - most long out of print but probably available on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading 'Below Stairs' at the moment and I'm loving it. It so captures the period. Her choice of detail. She was a great raconteur. I remember her as a sort of cult figure in England in the 70s, but she's been more or less forgotten now and I never knew about her first books and that she'd been a servant. Now I want to read everything she ever wrote.
ReplyDeletePeter - how wonderful that you have discovered her, and I hope you manage to track down the sequels.
ReplyDeleteCould you tell me when Margaret Powell died? There is nothing on Wiki about this lovely lady It is amazing. So popular in the 70s now sadly forgotten Yours Faithfully John Dedman johndedman@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMargaret Powell was my aunt (mother's sister) so I have a number of personal memories, including a photo of her at my wedding in 1972.
ReplyDeleteHer dates according to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography are these (and even I had to look it up as I had forgotten!):
Powell [née Steer], (Ellen) Margaret (1907–1984), domestic servant and writer
To my brother and I she will always be Auntie Nelly who used to let us eat soft brown sugar sandwiches and allow us to slide down the back of her lovely polished leather chair. She looked after us a few times when we were little when our mother was in hospital.
I cannot remember how many books she wrote but it was running into around 17 altogether and started with the trilogy, Below Stairs, Climbing the Stairs, and Treasure above Stairs. She then moved onto the wider family with My Mother and I.
She is not totally forgotten in her home towns of Brighton and Hove as they name buses after famous people who lived there and she has one named after her, and a plaque on the wall of the house she was living in when she died.
Hi Elaine
DeleteWe are looking for members of Margaret's family in relation to a series we are filming for BBC2 about the history of domestic service. It would be great to speak to you about your auntie. You can contact me via lauren.bennie@betty.co.uk? Many thanks, Lauren
Thank you very much Elaine I am glad she is not forgotton. Wonderful lady and I used to love seeing her on television telling her stories. Great books. Best Wishes John Dedman Greenwich England.
ReplyDeletemargaret's maiden name was Langley, not Steer!
ReplyDeleteIt would seem there is a renewed interest in Margaret Powell's books. Just before the new edition of Below Stairs came out earlier this year, I started sourcing original copies of her books from the local library. Almost all tittles had been in the county store and seldom borrowed in many years. I have found I am required to return these books on the double as other people are also reserving these out of print books. Checking Amazon, Climbing the Stairs is also due to be reissued next month. I have so far tracked down 8 of Margaret Powell's autobiographical books, hope to get started on her fiction titles soon (any recommendations, here?). Once I have picked up a MP book, I have found each one to be a compelling read. It is an odd tale of how I 'discovered' her. I read a serialisation of the then soon to be reissued Below Stairs earlier this year. I then looked MP up online, to find that not only had she written many more books in the same vein, but also a children's cookery book I owned in the early 80's, lost and have been on the lookout for ever since. I'd forgotten who the author was, funnily enough. Although a child of the 70's, I don't remember Margaret Powell from the time, either. I'll end by saying I'll feel a bit sorry when I've found / read all the books, MP was quite a storyteller.
ReplyDeleteTracey
Funny enough I have one of her children's cook books here 'sweetmaking for children'. My mum gave it to me today. I loved this book when I was growing up & would often make some of the recipes with my mum, mainly the fudge, peppermint creams & coconut pyramids! Can't wait to find & read her other books about her life story.
ReplyDelete