Mollie Moran (1916–2014)

After leaving school at the age of 14 in 1930, Mollie Browne takes a job in a London as a scullery maid; she works in domestic service for 10 years, working her way up to cook. In this chatty memoir, the author gives a rare and fascinating insight into a bygone era, the golden years of the early 1930's before the outbreak of World War II.

Even though Mollie put in long 15 hour days and worked hard, she also enjoyed some freedom and lived a rich life. She fell in love in boys and went to show more dances, and had some pretty interesting and often humorous adventures during her time off.

I really enjoyed this book, and I was amazed that Mrs. Moran was 97 years old when she wrote it; her style of writing is bright and witty, and it's like she sitting right next you talking about her adventures. Even while describing the endless tasks that made up her day, you never got the feeling that she was complaining about her life. I really admired her work ethic; it shames me to think that when I was 14, I use to think it was unfair that I was made to clean my room on a Saturday (after sleeping in most of the morning) before I could have any fun. I think anyone that is a fan of Downton Abbey would enjoy this book too.

I also enjoyed the recipes at the end of each of chapter, it was interesting to learn of the different dishes popular back then and how they were made; everything was made entirely by scratch in those days. There are also photographs of the author and also of some of the people she worked with and places where she worked.

The author's note at the end of the book told a bit of what she did with her life after she got married and left the work of domestic service; it sounds to me that the rest of her life was equally interesting, and enough material for another book. show less

Aprons and Silver Spoons by Mollie Moran is a wonderful memoir of young country girl who at age 14 becomes a scullery maid. She finds herself working 15 hours a day doing the most menial and dirty of jobs, but she is irrepressible and lively and makes the best of her situation. She becomes life-long friends with a kitchen maid, observes and trains under a strict cook and works her way up, first as a kitchen maid and then finding a job where she herself was the main cook for a large show more household.

During her time in service she grew to be a woman, cooked for the rich and famous and met her RAF husband. Both headstrong and ambitious, Molly was determined to succeed and becoming a cook at age twenty was almost unheard of. The story covers not only Molly’s life, but the many changes that have occurred in Britain from the 1920s right up to the 2000s. She comments on many things including fashions, politics, technology and of course, cooking. She has lived through so many changes during her life yet even at age 96 she is both alert and aware.

Aprons and Silver Spoons brings the worlds of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey to life as Molly Moran writes about her times with fondness and nostalgia. She also includes some pictures, recipes and household tips that help to make this an interesting and fun read. show less

This was a cute memoir about Mollie's early life starting as a scullery maid for a wealthy English family in the 1930s. Mollie is a feisty, confident and adventurous 14 year old when she starts but she works hard, yet she is always ready to go to a dance or visit London on her day off. She learns about life and she grows up but she considered her time spent in service as a good experience. There was also a bit about World War II and it's impact. I enjoyed Mollie and her story.

Nice book to read more about the real "Downstairs" life in British aristocratic households until the changes that took place in late 1930's.
Repeating my Disclaimer: I have not seen Downton Abbey.
However, having recently read "How to Marry an English Lord" and "Longbourn" this book was a good tie-in for the realistic look at the number of servants and their duties as required to tend to the Lords, Ladies, family, guests and the homes of the "Upstairs" folk.
The 97 year old author portrays show more her lively youthful personality and the conflicts of personality in "service work" and interesting insights into history during her early years.
It was fun reading; I really enjoyed it. show less