The Lady's Maid: My Life in Service

(Paperback)

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Description

A fascinating look at the life of a lady's maid, and her spirited employer, in the first half of the 20th century 'I was able to get on well with everyone below stairs and above, or so I thought until I began working for Lady Astor...' In 1929, Yorkshire lass Rosina Harrison became personal maid to Lady Astor- the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat and wife of one of England's wealthiest lords. Lady Astor was brilliant yet tempestuous, but outspoken Rose gave as good as she got. For 35 years the battle of wills and wits raged between the two women, until an unlikely friendship began to emerge. The Lady's Maid is a captivating insight into the great wealth 'upstairs' but also the endless work 'downstairs', but it is Rose's unique relationship with Lady Astor that makes this book a truly enticing read. Please note, The Lady's Maid is the new title for the book originally published as Rose.

Reviews

No fictional series would have dared present a story half so full of strife - and hate as well as love - as that of Rose and her mistress ... The book is full of wry humour as well as splendid anecdotes which make it extremely jolly reading for those who don't have to live through the experiences. The period touches are fascinating, ranging from the grim to the purely enjoyable -- Antonia Fraser * Evening Standard *
Fascinating, outspoken, yet respectful, loving, yet indignant: a social document of mistress and maid, in station opposite, but in temperament equal ... * Sunday Telegraph *
Unique insight into the splendours and miseries of Clivedon ... stuffed with interesting and amusing anecdotes * Times Literary Supplement *
Emminently readable * Financial Times *
Fascinating and deliciously readable * New York Times Book Review *

Author Bio

Rosina Harrison (known as Rose) was born in Aldfield, North Yorkshire, in 1899. Her mother was a laundry maid and her father a stonemason. Rose became a lady's maid in 1918, and she was later lady's maid to Lady Astor for 35 years. She later retired to Worthing where she died in 1989.