After reading some reviews comparing this book to the fascinating Downton Abbey, I expected to find it enthralling. It is the story of an Jewish Austrian girl who is sent to an English manor home to work as a maid at the outbreak of WWII. During the course of this employment, she develops a romantic relationship with the son and heir of Tyneford House and they eventually become engaged. I found this implausible, but most disappointing was that this was the focus rather than the events of WWII and the development of the "downstairs" characters, the butler and housekeeper. It is a book that is easily read, but lacks a depth and an exploration of "upstairs/downstairs" life during a turbulent period of English history that I had anticipated.
I just spent last night reading THE HOUSE AT TYNEFORD - from the description this is the same book, retitled. Great read under any title but I would love to know what, if any, changes were made between the two editions.
