Julian Fellowes's Belgravia

I am a fan of Downton Abbey and since the writer of Downton Abbey wrote this book, I was not disappointed. It was a pleasant, enjoyable reading experience. The beginning of the book focuses on a pivotal moment in time, the eve of the battle of Waterloo. The cream of British society were gathered at a ball given by the Duchess of Richmond. For some, that evening would change their lives forever, but only twenty-five years would some of those changes come full circle, up against the societal taboo of those of high society mixing in any intimate way with those nouveau riche whose pedigree is tinged by the stigma of trade. Therein lies the rub.The book presents a parade of characters that will both delight and dismay the reader, as the characters confront and attempt to work through the situation with which they have been confronted. The question is whether blood is thicker than water? Read this well-written and enjoyable book to find out. Those who enjoy period dramas are sure to love it.

I had high expectation for this book because it is, after all, a work by Julian Fellowes, than whom there is hardly a more stellar Hollywood personality. And that's the problem. Fellowes is better off sticking to script writing. This book will be beyond wonderful if it's ever filmed and made available as a series on Public Television. But the writing is very like a script -- moving gracefully and rapidly from scene to scene in much the fashion of Downton Abbey, which I adored. The plot reveals all sorts of odd twists and turns, but the reader is left without the depth and character of, for example, the Forsythe Saga. I never felt that I was reading about real people with real problems. Nevertheless, I believe that, as he did with Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, Fellowes will convert this tome into a spectacular dramatic series, and at that point I'll be all ears.

When I discovered the novels of Julian Fellowes on kindle I bought them all. I enjoyed Snobs and Past Imperfect and Belgravia was a relaxed read because by now, I knew what would follow. Belgravia is set in the 1800s and starts with the battle of Waterloo. A young peer meets a beautiful non-titled but rich girl in Belgium where her father is a supplier to the British Army. They fall in love, have a child, die young and the child is raised without knowledge of his background and turns out to be a prime example of solid British manhood. When both sets of grandparents discover him, rather than acknowledging him and setting right what is wrong, they maintain their positions and image in society even though it pains them. Julian Fellowes describes people who are unable to function without the constraints of polite society, class and position. I would have scoffed at all his novels had I not been living in Calcutta and not met, know, work and be friends with people who behave in an identical manner. Where club memberships and polite society matters more than your actual relationships and feelings. Where people can go to any lengths and scale and levels of decency just to climb socially. The book ends happily. Which is what you need to know if you want to immerse yourself in British period class struggles, and still want a happy ending.

Even though it got off to a bit of a slow start, Belgravia turned out to be a romping good read. Of course, it’s early Victorian era soap opera but it’s well written with engaging, believable characters, a tightly woven plot and a satisfying HEA. Julian Fellowes does a wonderful job of capturing the clash of class differences, manners and mores of the period and makes the reader cheer for the heroes and hiss at the villains.Bottom line: I heartily recommend Belgravia for your reading pleasure. If you were a fan of Downton Abbey, then you’ll likely really enjoy Belgravia.

Fellowes is known for his stories/films which greatly depict the social structure and interaction of the classes in the Britain, in various eras.In that sense, this is very typical of his work, however I was somewhat disappointed and found the plot very predictable and many of the characters rather underdeveloped.The story opens during the Napoleonic Wars (about 100 years before the setting of Downton Abbey) and then quickly jumps ahead 25 years to the 1840s or thereabouts. Perhaps it's because these eras have been so thoroughly covered by literary giants such as Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, George Eliot, Charles Dickens and the Bronte Sisters that this story pales by comparison. It reads more like a screenplay for a mini-series than a great work of literature.It's a okay for a light read, but I expected much more from it. It could probably be developed into a good period TV mini-series.

The only comparison to Downtown Abbey, I think, can be the quality and depth of the characters. Fellows really has a talent for multidimensional characters, for being able to express all ranges of human emotions and for really knowing what makes people tic.It's a simple story, starts with the usual prohibited love affair, throw in some war, unimaginable loss, and then add cover ups, greedy low life aristocrats ( and many that surprise you) and you have a tale that may take place in Victorian England, but with a couple of scenery changes, could take place any where and at any time. A very gripping read, told in absolutely flawless prose with great insight and feeling. Loved it!

If you enjoyed Downton Abby and enjoy the Victorian, Edwardian era of England you can settle in for a good read. Mr Fellowes writes about the lives of upstairs downstairs as though he actually lived them. He will put you into the lives that were making a huge transition from candles to gas to electricity from 3 miles an hour in a hansom cab to 10 miles and hour on a train.

Just when Downton Abbey made us think that the last word had been said about the English class system, Fellowes plunges us back into Vanity Fair territory. Taking on Thackeray at his own game, Fellowes shows that the novel of social manipulation is not a lost art. I wish Fellowes were younger: Write faster, Mr. Fellowes.

I'm halfway through this book but I'm finding it hard to battle on. I bought it because I'm a huge Downtown Abbey fan and I love historical novels in general. I don't mind a slow-moving plot if there's deep characterization and atmospheric description along the way, however, this book has nothing to offer in those terms either. A big disappointment! I feel compelled to finish it because I very rarely abandon a book once started - I keep hoping for a miracle that it will pick up but 55% into the book that seems to be less and less likely.

Love the TV series which so far (3 episodes in) is very true to the book. I just couldn't wait to find out what was happening. I can't put my finger on it but I think the way that it is written seems to be for older teenagers-in very easy English. Nothing wrong with that at all, I just felt that it lacked something. Good storyline though told better on screen.

Another winner from the creator of Downtown Abbey. Very interesting reading about secrets and lurking scandal among high society. Mr Fellows really knows how to draw out a story depicting the class divisions and distinction that existed during the Victorian era. This story brings together two families from very different backgrounds. One is wealthy and old aristocracy, born to the manor, the other a self made millionaire from trade, not exactly welcome in the drawing room of aristocracy. I found it very interesting. It held all the elements of a good read, believeable characters, suspense, light romance and murderous intent. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed the story but, like some other readers, found it took quite a while to get going. I actually didn't mind that but felt it was spoiled by the very rapid way the story all come together towards the end. It just felt too rushed after the leisurely start.

Julian Fellowes has written two terrific modern comedies of manners. Having also been a fan of Downton Abbey, I was very excited about the prospect of Belgravia, but sadly it turned out to be a huge letdown. A penny-dreadful novelette plot, with two-dimensional characters. A previous reviewer went so far as to suggest that this may have been ghost-written, and I wonder if there's something in this, as, being familiar with Mr Fellowes' style, it certainly didn't read like one of his novels, regardless of the era in which it is set.