Daily Life in a Victorian House [Hardcover]

Laura Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1993 | Age Level: 8 and up

Daily Life in a Victorian House A child’s "Upstairs, Downstairs," this thrilling journey back in time into the heart of a Victorian home uses a unique visual approach, with photographs of real objects from the past in close-up color to bring the period fully alive. Discover how a wealthy family and their servants really lived: how they dressed, what they ate, how they entertained. Daily Life in a Victorian House chronicles a day in the life of the Smith family, from the moment when the housemaid struggles wearily out of bed to light the fires, to the moment when the last candle is snuffed out and the house is once more at rest. Daily Life in a Victorian House looks in close detail at a typical upper-middle-class household and its social and historical background, combining original artifacts, clothes, and interiors with informative text to present an intimate portrait of a Victorian home.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

May I introduce you to the Smiths: This is Mr. Smith, a good upright Englishman, and stern but loving Papa; Mrs. Smith, a perfect wife and mother, refined, gracious and lady-like; and their three children, Albert Eustace, Alice Louise, and John Percival. Albert is away at school just now, but Alice and John are right here, in the nursery. Oh, and Bobby. He’s the dog. Now come downstairs and meet the staff. This is Mrs. Cooper the cook, who keeps the Smiths very well fed indeed; Jane the parlormaid and Mary the housemaid, who keep the house beautifully clean and shining; and Ellen the nurse who looks after the children. To meet the Smiths and their servants, all you need do is travel back in time a hundred years or so. Just open this book.…

From the Back Cover

Daily Life in a Victorian House A child’s "Upstairs, Downstairs," this thrilling journey back in time into the heart of a Victorian home uses a unique visual approach, with photographs of real objects from the past in close-up color to bring the period fully alive. Discover how a wealthy family and their servants really lived: how they dressed, what they ate, how they entertained. Daily Life in a Victorian House chronicles a day in the life of the Smith family, from the moment when the housemaid struggles wearily out of bed to light the fires, to the moment when the last candle is snuffed out and the house is once more at rest. Daily Life in a Victorian House looks in close detail at a typical upper-middle-class household and its social and historical background, combining original artifacts, clothes, and interiors with informative text to present an intimate portrait of a Victorian home.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471143774
• ISBN-13: 978-0471143772
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,075,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, colorful teacher's reference!, January 26, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Athens, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daily Life in a Victorian House (Hardcover)

As a teacher, I feel that this book is an excellent demonstration of visual learning! This book displays everything from the layout of Victorian Houses to their clothes, servants, chores, social manners and etiquette, and customs. I recommend this book for any child interested in the time period or any teacher who has to teach it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Victorian details, July 9, 2000

By 

Kay Hudson (Seabrook, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Daily Life in a Victorian House (Paperback)

This book details life for an upper middle class family in London about 1880. If your interest is in American life of the period, some of the details will be different, but the book is still very useful, and the illustrations, most of them photographs, are excellent. Some good information on the technology of housekeeping. Interestingly, the "Places to Visit" listed at the back are all in the U.S.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, charming and educational!, July 20, 2008

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Daily Life in a Victorian House (Paperback)

I adore this book! It's filled with photos of the actual objects that were part of the lifestyle back in Victorian times. There are 135 photographs in all.

The reader opens the book and is introduced to a family who resides in the house (including a dog!) and learns the workings of everyday life. Children and adults will adore this book, because it visually educates about Victorian times.

If you or a member of your famiy is studying this period of history, or is a fan of Victorian movies and books, Daily Life in a Victorian House (Picture Puffin Books) will add a little extra enjoyment to that exploration!

This book is a wonderful, fun discovery that you will be sure to enjoy!