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A Countess Below Stairs Eva Ibbotson Books

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A Countess Below Stairs Eva Ibbotson Books

If you approach this like a fairytale it will be a lovely read for you. It reminds me of the old Shirley Temple movies, as well as Anne of Green Gables and Polyanna, with a little Cinderella thrown in. Impoverished girl ends up in a dour environment that she transforms through her bright spirit and is rewarded by being reunited with her wealthy parents or adopted by a wealthy couple or married to the handsome and, did I mention?, wealthy prince. Don't we love rewarded virtue? From a writing perspective it's a bit lacking. A myriad of characters are introduced via lengthy info dumps, some of whom are quite peripheral, so it's questionable whether we need to know that much about them. If so, revealing the information through action rather than exposition would've made it more palatable (show vs. tell). I eventually found myself skipping over vast swathes of uninteresting material. Lastly, the "handsome prince" himself grew less appealing to me as the novel went on. He tended to disappear when the going got rough and constantly found excuses not to take action to remedy difficult situations and not to reach out for what he really wanted. In fact he was rather a passive fellow who allowed himself to be swept along by circumstances.


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A Countess Below Stairs Eva Ibbotson Books Reviews

I don't often read YA literature, but this novel was recommended by an author I admire, Ann Pratchett, and the book did not disappoint. Though good-natured and optimistic, this book does not ignore the darker urges and events that complicate life. The romance is neither sappy, nor predictable. A Russian countess seeks employment as a domestic in an English stately home following the Russian Revolution. The owner, an English earl, though committed by a sense of honor to an increasingly unhappy betrothal, finds himself thinking constantly about the remarkable Russian housemaid. The story ends with madcap adventures and misadventures and provides a satisfying read for both younger and older readers.
Set in the early 20th century, with the feel of a Victorian, this is the story of Anna, raised a young countess in St. Petersburg in an ice-blue palace overlooking the River Neva. When revolution tears Russia apart, her now-penniless family flees to England. Each is willing to work and, for that, one had to admire them.

Anna, ever humble, finds an old book on housekeeping and sets off to become a proper housemaid. She finds work at the Earl of Westerholme's crumbling but magnificent mansion. Rupert, the youngest Westerholme, is a returning war hero, who suddenly finds he is now the earl. He plans to marry well so he can restore his family home. Of course, Anna falls in love with him.

Both the new earl and his staff believe their new maid, who is clearly a lady, is a bit strange but her hard work and sweet attitude win them over.

This is an engaging, often humorous, “G-rated” tale that kept me turning pages. Ibbotson is an Austrian-born British novelist, which may explain the words, references and phrasing I occasionally stumbled over. The story is certainly well written and drew me in. Originally published in 1981, it has been reissued under the title The Secret Countess in some editions. I recommend it.
Eva Ibbotson was one of the reasons I started writing romance. Because she'd passed away, and it was hard to find the kind of books I loved best, I figured I might as well make up my own stories.

Yes, it's a fairy tale. But it's wonderful. Ibbotson's beautiful writing, her spectacular attention to historical detail, especially the period surrounding World War II, and her rich characters make the book a joy to read. The heroine is brave and kind, and the hero is, too. Some of the scenes, like the one at the ball, are so good that you finish them and then go back and read them again to savor them. All her books are great, but this and The Morning Gift are probably my favorites.

Also a fabulous book in audio--a go-to for a feel-good listen. Some people will call the books YA, but I wouldn't say so. A wonderful read at any age.
If you approach this like a fairytale it will be a lovely read for you. It reminds me of the old Shirley Temple movies, as well as Anne of Green Gables and Polyanna, with a little Cinderella thrown in. Impoverished girl ends up in a dour environment that she transforms through her bright spirit and is rewarded by being reunited with her wealthy parents or adopted by a wealthy couple or married to the handsome and, did I mention?, wealthy prince. Don't we love rewarded virtue? From a writing perspective it's a bit lacking. A myriad of characters are introduced via lengthy info dumps, some of whom are quite peripheral, so it's questionable whether we need to know that much about them. If so, revealing the information through action rather than exposition would've made it more palatable (show vs. tell). I eventually found myself skipping over vast swathes of uninteresting material. Lastly, the "handsome prince" himself grew less appealing to me as the novel went on. He tended to disappear when the going got rough and constantly found excuses not to take action to remedy difficult situations and not to reach out for what he really wanted. In fact he was rather a passive fellow who allowed himself to be swept along by circumstances.