The Bellamy Saga

This is a thoroughly enjoyable work of historical fiction, based upon the Bellamy family featured in the seminal British television series, "Upstairs, Downstairs". This well-researched book artfully details the story of the Bellamy family, who once lived at 165 Eaton Place in the tony Belgravia section of London. The story begins with Richard Bellamy, a young diplomat who, during the course of an assignment, meets the young and beautiful Lady Marjorie, and is smitten. He then embarks upon a course of conduct that effectively ends his diplomatic career but ultimately wins him the heart and hand of Lady Marjorie. The author details their lives, the lives of their children, James and Elizabeth, as well as that of their loyal servants, Hudson and Mrs. Bridges. This upstairs, downstairs story is a sweeping saga of a family that was so much a part of English history. Set against a backdrop of historical events, this book will appeal to those who enjoy well-written historical fiction.

I really enjoyed this book, it is based loosely around the events from the amazing TV show "Upstairs Downstairs" (focusing on the Upstairs aspect). The beginning of the book was really engaging: Richard Bellamy brings his bride Lady Marjorie to their new home, 165 Eaton Place, and then it flashes back to how exactly they got together. Richard must struggle with Marjorie's family because he comes from, in their minds, an inferior class. At any rate, if you're interested in things that the television show didn't present then this book is an interesting take on the subject. However, some of the characterizations might be a little off. Of course that is always the case, if you're fond of a character you don't want to read about them making a fool of themselves and if you don't like a character you don't really want to see them cast in a positive light. For example, I'm not at all a fan of Lady Marjorie so I was a bit annoyed that the book kept on referring to her as this beautiful person. On the flip side, Lord Bellamy is one of my favourite characters so when the book asserted that he had a mistress I was annoyed. My biggest complaint is that towards the end of the book everything seems hurried -- the reader is taken through the first four seasons and then suddenly its as if the last pages just "sum up" season five, with no additions or details. That was dissapointing to me because season 5 is my favourite of the show. At first I thought I would have been glad to own this book but in having finished it I am glad I got it from the library. In the UK this book has a different title, "The Bellamys of Eaton Place." The book runs a little over 300 pages and (at least to me) was an engaging one-time read.