Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) - reviewed on 12/10/2011 + 200 more book reviews

This was a great memoir about a British woman born in 1907 who entered domestic service as a kitchen maid while still in her teens. Her story starts with her childhood, living in poverty, but she still has many good, pleasant memories of her family. The details of her time in service are fascinating, and really make the reader grateful for inventions like the vacuum cleaner. This woman did more before breakfast than many of us get done all week. There is a fair sprinkling of "downstairs gossip" detailing the people she worked for and the opinions of the staff toward them. All in all, a quick, fascinating non-fiction read and one that will appeal to fans of Downtown Abbey-type shows. Very highly recommended.

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