Celebrate ‘Downton Abbey’ for 365 days with ‘A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey’
If you are eagerly awaiting the release of “Downton Abbey” season 5 in America and want to engross yourself in that world again, we have an easy way for you to do just that: A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey.
The new book by Jessica Fellowes, who has authored many works on the show over the past few years, will be available from St. Martin’s Press both online (see the Amazon page here) and at many bookstores come Tuesday, October 28, and it may be the most comprehensive look to date at what it was really like to live within that world 365 days a year. While the series does a fantastic job of trying to paint that picture, it is difficult sometimes due to mere production restraints. There is only so many episodes a year that are made, and therefore only so much time to really showcase the characters in different parts of the year. This is also due to the filming schedule, which typically runs from around February until near the end of the summer.
In this book, Fellowes explains how real people in the shoes of Lady Mary or Mr. Carson would have engaged in popular traditions of the time, whether it be holidays, special dinners, or strictly seasonal activities. Interviews with the cast, and countless high-quality photos of the characters and the set, truly bring you into that world. There are also a few peeks behind the scenes for all you production gurus.
In addition to giving you a sense of history and connecting you again to your favorite familiar faces, Fellowes’ book (which contains a foreword by her uncle and show creator Julian Fellowes) also contains many ways for you to bring the traditions into your home. There are not only specific recipes, but also detailed accounts of how parties and traditions were conducted. Therefore, this is probably the closest thing you are going to get to a guide as to how to throw your perfect Downton party early next year when the show returns to PBS.
Of course, this book comes highly recommended if you are a fan of the series, and even more so if you have read some of Jessica Fellowes’ other books. It sets the stage well for season 5, as well, which should be the proverbial topping on the already-fancy cake.
While those who are infrequent viewers of the show may be confused about all of the characters and their stories, there is still quite a bit for them to get out of this from a historical point of view. Before this series, how well aware was a North American audience of British pre-Depression society? The presence of this show has brought more than entertainment to the table.
All in all, Fellowes’ books remain some of the best companions out there, and A Year in the Life is a very good way to spend some of your time. As someone who spends a huge percentage of time watching television, it was nice to dive into a good read, while still feeling connected to the medium we watch and write about daily.
You can read some more of our “Downton Abbey” coverage right now at the link here, and be sure to also sign up today to get some further TV updates sent to your email courtesy of our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo via St. Martin’s Press.)