
Minding the Manor
The Memoir Of A 1930S English Kitchen Maid
Mollie Moran(Author)
The Lyons Press
Published on 7. January 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
360 pages
978-0-7627-9683-0 (ISBN)
Description
Born in 1916 in Norfolk, Mollie Moran is one of the few people still alive today who can recall working "downstairs" in the golden years of the early 1930's before the outbreak of WWII. She provides a rare and fascinating insight into a world that has long since vanished. Mollie left school at age fourteen and became a scullery maid for a wealthy gentleman with a mansion house in London's Knighsbridge and a Tudor manor in Norfolk. Even though Mollie's days were long and grueling and included endless tasks, such as polishing doorknobs, scrubbing steps, and helping with all of the food prep in the kitchen, she enjoyed her freedom and had a rich life. Like any bright-eyed teenager, Mollie also spent her days daydreaming about boys, dresses, and dances. She became fast friends with the kitchen maid Flo, dated a sweet farmhand, and became secretly involved with a brooding, temperamental footman. Molly eventually rose to kitchen maid for Lord Islington and then cook for the Earl of Leicester's niece at the magnificent Wallington Hall.
Reviews / Votes
"If you love Downton, this is right up your street!" -Closer "A lovely story" -Daily Mail "This evocative memoir... provides a fascinating insight into a world that has long since disappeared" -The Sun "I was completely absorbed reading Mollie's fascinating life story. " -Bookbag "A vivid, entertaining and human glimpse into life in service during the 1930s complete with recipes, tips and photos. " -My Weekly "Lively, evocative and wonderfully perceptive and intelligent memoir. . . . Her amazing and inspirational story is one that should not be missed. . . . " -Pam Norfolk, The Blackpool Gazette "A fascinating insight into the vanished world of household drudgery and high times before the outbreak of the second world war. " -Nick Cole, Scunthorpe TelegraphMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Guilford
United States
Publishing group
Rowman & Littlefield
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 201 mm
Width: 142 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
393 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7627-9683-0 (9780762796830)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2013
Globe Pequot
€16.99
Available for download
Person
Born in 1916, Mollie Moran is now ninety-seven and lives by the seafront in Bournemouth. She regularly hosts Scrabble parties and cooks for up to twenty-five people. Mollie grew up in Norfolk, and was sent to London as a scullery maid at the age of 14.