The World of Downton Abbey [Hardcover]

Jessica Fellowes (Author), Julian Fellowes (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: December 6, 2011

A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series Downton Abbey

 

April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't.

 

Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Acclaim for Downton Abbey:

 

"This extraordinary upstairs-downstairs drama, written by Oscar-winning 'Gosford Park' screenwriter Julian Fellowes, is a dramatic, intelligent, soapy, comic, and wise piece of work." --The Boston Globe

 

"There is no mystery about the potency of this series, slathered in wit, powered by storytelling of a high order." --The Wall Street Journal

 

"Possibly the best show of the year...'Downton Abbey' is all that 'Upstairs, Downstairs' was, and more." --The Los Angeles Times

About the Author

JESSICA FELLOWES, is the author of The World of Downton Abbey, based on the Emmy Award winning television series, Downton Abbey. She is a journalist and the former Deputy Editor of Country Life, as well as the niece of Julian Fellowes. She lives in London with her husband and son.

 

JULIAN FELLOWES is the Emmy Award-winning writer and creator of the TV series Downton Abbey. He is also the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Gosford Park and the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Snobs. He lives in London and Dorset.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (December 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781250006349
• ISBN-13: 978-1250006349
• ASIN: 1250006341
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (233 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > Shows

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

302 of 310 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Companion Book December 9, 2011

By Jill

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was released in the US earlier this week; I received my copy today and spent a couple of hours this afternoon looking through it. I wanted to review it right away in case anyone is considering buying it as a present for a Downton Abbey fan. It's a beautiful book and one that I'd have been thrilled to get as a gift. It's printed on thick, high quality paper and the photography is stunning. I would note that as Series 2 has not yet aired in the US, if you want to see the show without knowing anything in advance, some of the text is spoilerish here and there. The first instance that I found came at the end of Chapter 2, "Society." The photos are from both Series 1 and 2. There are also a number of "behind the scenes" photos. There are no extensive profiles of or interviews with the principal actors, if you are particularly interested in that, just short (1-2 sentence) snippets, and quotes now and again. There is some history to provide context for the fictional world of Downton (American heiresses marrying into the aristocracy, including Julian Fellow's inspiration for Cora, for example) as well as some information related to the series' production and filming. I did learn things from this that I hadn't heard before, and particularly enjoyed Julian Fellow's stories about ancestors of his who (unknowingly) inspired or gave him ideas for scenes and characters. Fans who have researched and read a lot about the Edwardian era will not likely learn anything new from the text, but I bought the book mainly for the photographs and information about the series, particularly so was not disappointed at all. In summary, I can't imagine any Downton fan not liking this book! The suggestions for further reading are good, though the section on life below stairs could be more extensive. I would second the recommendation of Juliet Gardiner's Manor House: Life in an Edwardian Country House (listed as The Edwardian Country House, its UK title) for anyone interested in the era's country house life - likewise very beautifully done.

143 of 146 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars To be in England December 17, 2011

By wogan TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This is a handsome book, whether or not you have seen the Downton Abbey series or not - it will make you want to. One can see how this series has enthralled and enchanted many.
It contains sections on family life, society, change, life in service, style, house and estate, romance, WWI and behind the scenes. The writer, Julian Fellowes pens an eloquent introduction that sums up the series and book perfectly..."the shadows of what used to be". A page of portraits introduces us to the characters.

This is a story not only of the filming, but a way of life - in fact two ways of life - the aristocracy and those in service. It is well explained, in an interesting manner, the difficulties and advantages both classes had. We learn how and why American heiresses became the wives of many of the English aristocracy and what the differences in philosophies of the two were.

The social history is described, again of both classes and why they behaved as they did. There are historical pictures and inserts that are relevant. We learn so completely what this period of Edwardian history was like and also how the filming of this series was accomplished. The creating of the costumes is thoroughly detailed. There are some comments from the actors themselves, but the star of this book is the era itself.

This is a book for Anglophiles, fans of Downton Abbey, those interested in English history especially of the Edwardian- WWI period and a social commentary on the English classes, It would be appropriate for anyone interested in filming and costume making also - a book that absolutely countless readers would enjoy.

116 of 122 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant, thorough, & amazing! December 23, 2011

By Cherchezlafemme VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

From the robin's-egg blue of the actual book, to the luminous dust jacket, to the fonts, and really, the entire book design, everything looks very elegant and Edwardian. If you've followed my blog Edwardian Promenade for a while, or read books about the Edwardians, some of the historical content isn't exactly new per se, but Fellowes does a great job of placing the cold, plain facts of the era in the context of Downton Abbey's inhabitants. The book kicks off with a forward by Julian Fellowes, where he discusses his philosophy towards the series and continues to share his deep love affair with the long-gone society that inhabited the English country house.

Fellowes (Jessica, that is), takes us literally through the world of Downton Abbey, starting with family life, touching on society and its changes, life belowstairs, fashion of the age, the function of the country estate, romantic relationships, and war. Last but not least is the chapter devoted to behind the scenes of the series, though the entire book is interspersed with tidbits of the actual production. The amount of work that goes into creating this incredible high drama is astounding, and without pictures of the sets and costumes and crew I would find it difficult to believe this wasn't pulled together with the wave of a wand.

Best yet are the mini-interviews from the cast and crew, whose interesting-and sometimes entertaining-recollections of filming series one and two (based on the synopses I've placed on the site, the book hints at happenings up to the second or third episode) are a treat. The one that stands out to me is historical adviser Alastair Bruce's conversation with Sophie McShera (Daisy), who complained that she never got to see the house since, as scullery maid, Daisy rarely left the kitchens! The only downside is that there are no quotes from Dame Maggie Smith! I would have loved to hear her thoughts on the series and its success, as well as her position as Grand Dame on the set, but alack alas alack-at least there are plenty of "Violetisms" sprinkled throughout the text.

But yet again I cannot express how lovely this book is! I spent the first day or two just looking at the book because it's so beautiful, and the following week was spent absorbing all of the information in the book-and even then I've saved a few sections to read later on. Basically, The World of Downton Abbey is the entire series in print format, and for all of you Downtonites, this book is well worth purchasing!

(this review is reposted from Edwardian Promenade, where I've also interviewed Jessica Fellowes!)