Book Twenty-One: Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor

In this 'Upstairs, Downstairs' inspired memoir, Rosina Harrison recounts her life as lady's maid to one of the most polarizing figures of the 20th century, Lady Nancy Astor.  Politician, traveler, society maven, Lady Astor was a notoriously iron-willed personality.  Rose, was her lady's maid.

Rose speaks fondly of Lady Astor even when sharing the tiffs.  Originally published in 1975, her stories shed light on a different time with both honesty and frankness.  Rose tells of a hard-working, but honest existence growing up and a series of lesser jobs that led up to service to the Astors.

Despite family scandals, ever-changing travel plans and war, Rose manages to manage her lady and her whims.  What really strikes me is how interdependent the classes were.  There is no disdain here.  Rather, she writes of a equality when it comes to respect for each other and their social status.  Never crossing the line of professionalism, but becoming friends and confidantes despite societal restrictions.

As I see it, Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor serves as a fascinating look into British aristocracy and those who served them. It very much strikes the Downton Abbey chord without being nearly as dramatic.  Seeing the upstairs and the downstairs, this reader isn't sure which flight has more fun.