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Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor

by Rosina Harrison

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3181582,963 (3.67)19
In 1928, Rosina Harrison arrived at the illustrious household of the Astor family to take up her new position as personal maid to the infamously temperamental Lady Nancy Astor, who sat in Parliament, entertained royalty, and traveled the world. "She's not a lady as you would understand a lady" was the butler's ominous warning. But what no one expected was that the iron-willed Lady Astor was about to meet her match in the no-nonsense, whip-smart girl from the country. For thirty-five years, from the parties thrown for royalty and trips across the globe, to the air raids during World War II, Rose was by Lady Astor's side and behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. In charge of everything from the clothes and furs to the baggage to the priceless diamond "sparklers," Rose was closer to Lady Astor than anyone else. In her decades of service, she received one 5-pound raise, but she traveled the world in style and retired with a lifetime's worth of stories. Like Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, Rose is not only a captivating insight into the great wealth 'upstairs' and the endless work 'downstairs'; it is also the story of an unlikely decades-long friendship that grew between Her Ladyship and her spirited Yorkshire maid.… (more)
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» See also 19 mentions

English (14)  Spanish (1)  All languages (15)
Showing 1-5 of 14 (next | show all)
Interesting but a bit repetitive and rambling ( )
  bjsikes | Jan 30, 2023 |
Well written memoir about a life below stairs. Rose has spirit and determination, and she needs it in order to attend Lady Astor, one of Britain’s high-energy political dynamos. A rich, intimate picture of life leading up to World War II. ( )
  jennybeast | Apr 14, 2022 |
interesting. Rosina's story is fascinating and interesting. Clearly Lady Astor was not a nice person. Well done ( )
  LoisSusan | Dec 10, 2020 |
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. The writing style of this delightful book is almost one long train of thought; much as a grandmother would tell a long story in front of the fireplace. ( )
  Iloveblue11 | Dec 10, 2018 |
A very interesting account of life in service. And, having heard of "lady Astor" continuously from a great aunt while I was growing up, it was interesting to read an account of life. ( )
  GTTexas | Aug 9, 2014 |
Showing 1-5 of 14 (next | show all)
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Dedication
To Leigh "Reggie" Crutchley, who made it possible.
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I was born in 1899 in a pretty little village, Aldfield, near Ripon, in Yorkshire.
Quotations
Shut up, Rose.
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In 1928, Rosina Harrison arrived at the illustrious household of the Astor family to take up her new position as personal maid to the infamously temperamental Lady Nancy Astor, who sat in Parliament, entertained royalty, and traveled the world. "She's not a lady as you would understand a lady" was the butler's ominous warning. But what no one expected was that the iron-willed Lady Astor was about to meet her match in the no-nonsense, whip-smart girl from the country. For thirty-five years, from the parties thrown for royalty and trips across the globe, to the air raids during World War II, Rose was by Lady Astor's side and behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. In charge of everything from the clothes and furs to the baggage to the priceless diamond "sparklers," Rose was closer to Lady Astor than anyone else. In her decades of service, she received one 5-pound raise, but she traveled the world in style and retired with a lifetime's worth of stories. Like Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, Rose is not only a captivating insight into the great wealth 'upstairs' and the endless work 'downstairs'; it is also the story of an unlikely decades-long friendship that grew between Her Ladyship and her spirited Yorkshire maid.

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Book description
The personal account of Rosina Harrison, the personal maid to Lady Nancy Astor, discussing the decades spent with the Lady and their unlikely friendship, the eccentricities of British aristocracy, and her duties.
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