Lord Fellowes: what a gent!
I posted recently about an article in the New York Times that discussed a current publishing craze for “Downton Abbey”-themed books. My brilliant and loyal friend Fred Bernstein got incensed that To Marry an English Lord wasn’t on the list, since Julian Fellowes had publicly said that it was one of his influences for “Downton.” Fred actually wrote a letter, a piece of paper onto which he slapped a bunch of stamps, and tossed it into a mailbox in Brooklyn. His letter suggested that Fellowes might care to mention To Marry in connection with “Downton.” And faster than you could imagine possible, Lord Fellowes (yes, he’s a lord) wrote a lovely, lovely letter back. Which the New York Times obligingly published this morning. Wheee!
Book Group of One 
Three cheers for you AND Fred Bernstein, and Lord Fellowes too.
Yes, indeed. I’ve always loved Fred, but I’m pretty fond of Lord Fellowes right now!
How wonderful, Carol! I’m so glad your book got such a high-profile acknowledgement. It makes me like Lord Fellowes and Downton Abbey even more!
Oh, Anbolyn, isn’t it exciting? What a generous gesture! (We knew he had a big heart, though, didn’t we, from the way O’Brien treated Mr. Lang?)
Visitors to your excellent site and book lovers generally, and who frequently unite, may wish to know that in addition to the books mentioned above …there is a controversial account of Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon and her nine decades of living in a book entitled “ The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon.” “A Candid biography of the 5th Countess of Carnarvon of Tutankhamun fame.”
Also from the same author, William Cross, FSA Scot, is “ Lady Carnarvon’s Nursing Homes : Nursing the Privileged in Wartime and Peace” which deals with Almina’s role as a uncompromising matron of Highclere Military Hospital during the Great War, and her later years running private hospitals in London. Many of Almina’s famous patients are revealed in these books. The testimony within these titles comes from the memories and recollections of one of Almina’s godsons, whose mother was Almina’s housekeeper and companion for over thirty years.
Besides featuring the glory days of Almina as chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the second of these books deals with the courageous work of Elsie, 4th Countess of Carnarvon ( Almina’s mother in law, the step mother of Lord Carnarvon ) who was a central figure in nursing the wounded in Egypt during the Great War,
Bravo. So I trust Workman (?) is working up a quick reprint (500k should do) of the book, retitled “To Marry an English Lord: The Real Story Behind Downton Abbey”?
Fred
From your mouth to the ears of whichever deity you care to name.
Carol – What fun and we of the Meet the Author Committee at Pequot Library in Southport, CT are patting ouselves on the back because we invited you to come speak to us last April. You came and spoke about your newest book “Leaving Van Gogh” which also caused quite a timely stir – Did he or did he not commit suicide? You were great. Congratulations from all your fans here. Ginny Arndt
Oh, Ginny, thank you! I must say, it’s a strange turn of events when a 25+-year-old book returns to the news. As to Van Gogh, I’m sticking with the old story. Not at all convinced by the Naifeh & Smith theory.
Pingback: Back by Popular Demand: To Marry an English Lord « Book Group of One
Please consider an audio book release, too. The wonderful Donada Peters would be a great reader for this book, if Ms. McGovern did not want to read again, as she did for the Jessica Fellowes book.
Thank you, Patty — I’ll pass this suggestion along to the publisher. I don’t think we’ve ever considered this before given the format of the book, but if “The World of Downton Abbey” could be made into an audio book, maybe “To Marry an English Lord” could, too!
Pingback: Another Plug from Julian Fellowes « Book Group of One