Review: Lovely idea but needs more substance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 21, 2012
There is a lovely idea "behind the door" of this short book.  How did the women of the gentry in Regency England actually live in their homes?  What did they do when they weren't shopping or visiting?  The author has a wonderful beginning and an outline, but unfortunately that is what it remains, an outline.  First of all,  with more information and discussion, this would have been a highly interesting and entertaining book.  It's too short and skimpy on details.  For instance: where did the ladies shop for their furnishings?  how did they learn to dance, to paint, to sew?  what were their favorite recipes and foods when they entertained? what other homemaking skills were necessary?  how did they actually supervise the staff? Secondly,  the author could have compared the differences between  members of the gentry who were not so wealthy  with the weathier ones.  Bringing in the aristocrats would probably have been too much, but it would have been interesting to read more about the differences in the homes within the gentry.  A third observation is that  the floor plan of the house reflects the life style of a poorer member of the gentry.  Where is the library or office for the gentleman of the house?  Even Mr. Bennett had his own library.  As it is, this is a pleasant beginning and I hope that the author will be able to write another lengthier and more detailed book on the subject in the future.  And please go easy on the exclamation marks.