While prowling the shelves in search of more Ruth Ware, I spotted the phrase Downton Abbey on a book spine and pounced immediately. In the modern age which is flooded with new shows by the day, Downton is one of those few I continually return to — along with the far less civilized Breaking Bad and Sopranoes. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is the story of three women, all struggling a bit — openly or despite of appearances — who become friends during screenings of Downton Abbey held at their Atlanta condo complex. Samantha has been married for 25 years to an extremely wealthy gent whom she’s never been in love with, but feels loyalty to; Brooke was rudely dumped by her odious husband who continues to make her life hell by playing custody games; and Claire is a single empty-nester who is in the middle of writing a series set around the Battle of Culloden in the Scottish highlands, but is presently mired in the moors of writer’s block. These ladies are brought together by Edward, a British concierge who also has a sideline job hosting and planning events. Edward fancies himself a civilizer and creator of community, and to that end he’s hosting weekly Downton screenings in which the goings-on at Highclere are witnessed with wine and biscuits. The book follows the growth of these three women’s friendships with one another as they battle with their respective adversities, all of which get more salient as the story progresses, and — as their lives grow closer, passing out in each other’s apartments after wine-soaked Downton marathon, some of these crises merge into larger drama. It isn’t necessary to be a fan of Downton to enjoy this book, as the discussions about its plot are marginal, quickly overshadowed by the women’s shared trials; in fact, if you’re reading this just for Downton, you’ll be disappointed. Although this is rather outside my usual scope of reading (much of this year’s reading has been), I frankly enjoyed it. All three principal characters were sympathetic, and Samantha’s troubled issues with her husband — some invisible, murky thing that neither of them can quite articulate, but which has nevertheless come between them — were especially so because that’s how life is sometimes.
Related:
The Jane Austen Book Club, Karen Joy Fowler.
A Man in Full, Tom Wolfe. Also set in Atlanta.
Reading Freely 
I’ve dipped into ‘Downton’ a little bit over the years… Never really ‘took’ though. Just not my thing……. I think I was weened off things like that after living through years of ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ that my Mum was addicted to.
Ah, pity. Branson was a great character — the Irish revolutionary/mechanic who becomes a member of the family and constantly struggles with staying true to who he is despite his love for these English aristos.
I’ve never really enjoyed class based drama – most especially when the main focus is on the ‘upper’ set.
I think Downton is split, but…(shrug).
I didn’t know you were a Downton Abbey fan 🙂 My family loves the show, so I’ve watched almost all of it with them. It’s not my cup of tea, but I can recognize its strengths (the cast is superb). My favorite character is actually Thomas 🙈
/me spits tea out
Thomas?! You mean evil skulking Thomas, not Tom Branson?!
And yes, I adore Downton. I’ve watched the series through several times, although there are bits I skip because I don’t want to see them die, and I regularly watch clips on YouTube. I have a version of the family in my Sims 4 game….
I love Downton Abbey and really should watch it again one day. It has so many great storylines throughout it and so many wonderful characters too.
I’m glad you enjoyed the book too, it’s not the sort of thing I usually pick up but it’s good to know that the characters were sympathetic.
I absolutely adore Downton Abbey and I love that the friendships in this book were brought on by bonding watching the show! That’s so sweet and sometimes our favourite pieces of media bring people together. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I don’t know if I’ll read it but either way I’m glad to know it exists 🙂
Pingback: July 2024 in Review | Reading Freely
Pingback: Top Ten Teasday: Books Involving Food | Reading Freely