I'm a big fan of British period fiction. My love affair started at about 13, evolving from America's Henry James and Edith Wharton. It continues, four decades later.

Habits of the House is an enjoyable book. It's not demanding, and you'll not learn anything. I actually read it on the deck, in a loungechair, under an umbrella. It's that kind of summer read.

I think the author, a well-respected Brit with numerous awards, included just enough bawdiness to make the book marketable; just enough royalty to make it appear legit; just enough descriptions of food, jewels and fashion to make her work pleasurable to a female demographic. In other words, she wrote the piece like a pro.

As a well-traveled American, though, I take exception to her stereotypical depiction of American travelers of the period. Although she positions the heroine as the illegitimate child of a former burlesque dancer and a cattle baron, and these characters make for a colorful story, the ill-mannered American with a heart of gold is kind of tiresome, and it's about time to put the cliche to bed.

Habits of the House is great for time at the beach (or on the deck). There are two forthcoming books in the series, and unless it's a slow fiction day on my bookshelves, I probably won't invest in them.

You know when you get a book, and because it's by somebody whose work you like, or somebody who's written many, many books, you trust it's going to get better?

 

Meet Habits of The House. It's not entirely its fault; it's been given a stupid cover (I'm not sure who that girlie is supposed to be), and it's being pitched to Downton fans despite the fact it's a comedy of manners.

 

However, everything else is its fault. 

 

Especially the ending.

 

The storyline is to do with the son of the family trying to marry an American heiress because the family have significant money troubles.

 

In the end:

 

The Earl wins a cumulative bet on the races which solves all the money problems, *and* the son marries the heiress, *and* the wife of the Jewish financier gets to meet the Prince of Wales.

 

"Hey Garth, let's do the super happy ending!"

 

doo doo do doo, doo doo do doo, doo doo do doo ...

 

I suspect it's supposed to be a punchline, but it just left me wondering what the point of reading the sodding book was.

(spoiler show)

 

 

I like Fay Weldon's style of writing, so I'm giving it 2 stars, but everybody else should probably give it a miss. 

 

 

I'm a big fan of British period fiction. My love affair started at about 13, evolving from America's Henry James and Edith Wharton. It continues, four decades later.

Habits of the House is an enjoyable book. It's not demanding, and you'll not learn anything. I actually read it on the deck, in a loungechair, under an umbrella. It's that kind of summer read.

I think the author, a well-respected Brit with numerous awards, included just enough bawdiness to make the book marketable; just enough royalty to make it appear legit; just enough descriptions of food, jewels and fashion to make her work pleasurable to a female demographic. In other words, she wrote the piece like a pro.

As a well-traveled American, though, I take exception to her stereotypical depiction of American travelers of the period. Although she positions the heroine as the illegitimate child of a former burlesque dancer and a cattle baron, and these characters make for a colorful story, the ill-mannered American with a heart of gold is kind of tiresome, and it's about time to put the cliche to bed.

Habits of the House is great for time at the beach (or on the deck). There are two forthcoming books in the series, and unless it's a slow fiction day on my bookshelves, I probably won't invest in them.

I hated this book, from beginning to end. Story of an earl and his family fallen on hard times when they loose everything on a bad investment. Now they need to marry the son off to a rich heiress as soon as possible. Enter Minnie, a young heiress who isn't at all innocent, and with manners that shock London society. Then there's the servants, all backbiting, and scarcely loyal to anyone. Riddled with anachronisms, and bad writing, I found this to be a dreadful novel, and by the end I wanted to throw it through the wall. I can't believe this author is well-acclaimed, this is more like a parody than anything else, and comes across as a blatant rip-off of Downton Abbey. Not recommended at all, and I am certainly not going to read the two sequels.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Fay_Weldon_Habits_of_the_House_epi/content_617955167876

I read this book because of the sticker on the cover recommending it to fans of Downton Abbey. It's set in the same era, about an earl and his family and has many similar characteristics but you really can't compare. Downton leaves you on the edge of your couch and balling your eyes out where as this book is rather predictable.

Habits of the House is also lacking in depth and comes across as flat writing but the story line is entertaining enough to get you to read the sequel just to find out what happens to Minnie and Arthur although it is a bit obvious.