I must say, I am a big fan of Downton Abbey. It achieves close to perfection for a tv drama, in my view and I would love to visit Highclere Castle where it is filmed.
Since Downton Abbey does not run 24/7 (insert sobs here) all year, I was pleased to find another tv series, The Cazalets. We borrowed the DVDs from our local public library and enjoyed watching it. A nice surprise is that the patriarch of the family is played by Hugh Bonneville, also the head of the Downtown Abbey family.
The six episodes were filmed in 2001 for the BBC, and cover the middle/upper class Cazalet family and their estate in Sussex. The time is 1937 to 1942. The house employs plenty of servants but is not at all as grand as the home in Downton Abbey.
I read a recent interview with Elizabeth Jane Howard who wrote the 4 books the Cazalet series is based on, and she is now a vibrant looking 90. The Telegraph shows a photo of her, at 90 she is gorgeous, strong looking, uses a wooden cane and is holding a tiny brown cigarette. Even better, she is writing book 5 which will answer lots of my questions about the people in the tv series and what happened next.
The first book of the Cazalet Chronicles is The Light Years, which I want to read.
Have you read the Cazelet books or seen the shows?
Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI JUST started reading them this spring and they are WONDERFUL! Haven't watched them, but your endorsement makes me want to. I also enjoy Upstairs, Downstairs as another period TV series that is just as great as Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to watch the downtown Abbey! I noticed that people keep talking about this and I am so curious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
I bet you are the huge fan of this series.
Blessing,
Delvalina
I became a fan of Downton Abbey last year. Can't wait for the next season.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out the Cazalets.
Terra,
ReplyDeleteI think I'm the last person who hasn't watched Downtown Abbey. There's not many good shows on anymore, so I end of watching the reruns to my favorite shows.
Have a happy Wednesday.
Love,
~Sheri
Hallo there! Oh, I just love Downton Abbey and the third series is about to start shortly over here :) I probably did see the Cazalet series all those years ago, but can't really remember it, so will look out for the DVD's. Hope all is well with you and thank you for the comments that you leave on my blog!
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard of that book. LOVE Downton Abby! Can't wait until the new season begins!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
deb
Can hardly wait for Downton Abby to start again!!!My favorite show on TV forever. I'll have catch up on the other one you suggested. There are lots of changes to come to Downton Abby this year.
ReplyDeleteAnn
We love Downton Abbey and will have to look up this show. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have not been able to watch Down Town Abby...:( I will have to search the library for The Cazalets. It will be a nice filler for a cold winter day.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Downton Abbey, I can't wait for the next season. I've never heard of the Cazalets, I'll check it out on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteSo many of my blogger buddies rave about how good Downton Abbey is, I'm really sorry I haven't ever seen it. I reckon it'd take a lot of catching up to get onboard with it now. Not sure it would float my hubby's boat, anyway. (I don't suppose it features many muscle cars or stuff blowing up, huh?)
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Downton Abbey too.
ReplyDeleteI'll check out Cazalets - always on the lookout for a good British series.
Oh, I love Downton Abbey too and am looking forward to the new season. Although, I mad at them for allowing 'our hero' to be killed! :) I've not heard of the series but it's sounds pretty good.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for popping in to see my little Tilda doll.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I've never watched Downton Abbey, and have regretted it, since I hear nothing but great reviews about it.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look for this show.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I get it here. Sounds great.
Thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a kind comment.
Enjoy your weekend
fondly,
Penny
I've not heard of this book series but with your recommendation I am excited to begin. Thanks! I love Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Patti
I've not heard of them, but am going to try for the Library to see if they have it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
Jen
I've enjoyed the few episodes I've seen of DA. I'm glad you've found another series to get you through withdrawals ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow I am a HUGE fan of "Downton Abbey" and this series of books and dvds sounds like something I would love. I will be checking my local library later today!
ReplyDeleteThanks also Terra for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment, it was appreciated!
Tina xo
Not heard of the Cazalet series until now, but it sounds like something worth checking out on Amazon. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Downton Abbey and inhaled all the episodes as fast they were available. Thank you for sharing this new series, I hadn't heard of and look forward to watching this one. The BBC group needs to expand on this amazing shows. I picked up one called London Hospital which details what medical care was like back in the day. Pretty scary actually but so realistic based on historical information. Too bad that too only lasted for a handful of episodes.
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs ~ Kat
No, I haven't, but they sound like an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Cazelet books -- or heard of them, but it sounds great. I'm stuck in the Wars of the Roses right now, but it may be time to move to the twentieth century.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this show OR heard about the books!
ReplyDeleteI need to see if this might be available on demand!
Thank you!