Countess Below Stairs (Ulverscroft Romance)

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Summary: Another Winner by Ibbotson
Review: Amazon's branch in the UK carries this in paperback and her others as well. Readers also use interlibrary loans to find her novels. I virtually pulled an "all nighter" to finish this novel and that rather says it all. A young Russian countess is forced to work as an English earl's housemaid because of having fled revolutionary torn Russia. The earl is engaged to a beautiful heiress who is another one of Ibbotson's high comic characters. She believes in eugenics, getting rid of unfit people. The people in the earl's village and household use that vice to sink her boat with the earl. This is a fitting failing for the time period because it is right before Hitler and WWII. Ibbotson always seems to have the other woman as the villainess for the hero's affections. However, she presents them as such high figures of comedy that they are not at all clichés. I also love Ibbotson's use of time periods that few others seem inclined to use. This is right after WWI and the effect of that war on the survivors is part of the story. Ibbotson was a native of Vienna who settled in England herself so she brings all of her eastern European insight into her novels. This resembles a delightful fairy tale but there is no paranormal or fantasy aspect to it.

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Summary: Not For Kids
Review: I bought this book, mistakenly thinking that it was another of Eva Ibbottson's children's books. While it IS a very nice romance, one that even younger (11-15) girls might enjoy, it is not a children's book.

The book itself is very good, as usual. Eva Ibbottson is so clever with plot twists and turns that, even in formula drama such as this, she will throw in a few surprises! And her writing is always so clear and direct.

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Summary: I wish all these books were in print.
Review: This is such a beautiful book. It and 'The Morning Gift' are Eva's best books. Unfortunately I haven't found it in English anywhere and have only read it in German, but I think the beauty of the story crosses the language barrier. I know the 'evil' fiancee is a cliche, but we are willing her, wishing for her to be evil. This is a fairytale given a more believable setting.