Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.
Title: Habits of the House
Author: Fay Weldon
Narrator: Katherine Kellgren
Format: Unabridged
Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
Language: English
Release date: 01-15-13
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 275 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
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 Roberts wife, Isobel, who orders the affairs of the household in Belgrave Square; and Grace, the ladys 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.
Members Reviews:
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 Kellgrens 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.
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 Kellgrens 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.
Aimless, silly and unlistenable
It is not the fault of the narrator, but entirely that of the author that "Habits" is rubbishy drivel.
It is pieces of shapeless verbal frippery like this book that makes me wonder anew at the dreck that gets published. I bought this Fay Weldon on an Audible $4.95 sale, mistaking the author for one recommended by a friend. "Habits of the House", not worth a plastic penny.
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.
