While We Were Watching Downton Abbey

By: Wendy Wax

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

From the author of Ten Beach Road and Ocean Beach, a new novel of four friends - and a shared passion that could change their lives.

When the concierge of The Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings of Downton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and - even more unexpectedly - with one another....

Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money - for herself and for her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.

Claire Walker is now an empty nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old-world charm of The Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.

And then there's Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She's just starting to realize that it's time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

For Samantha, Claire, Brooke - and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings - it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life's hardest moments - all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey.

©2013 Wendy Wax (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Delightful! A total blast!!

What did you love best about While We Were Watching Downton Abbey?

The narrator was incredibly good. All the voices were distinguishable including the male characters. This book was such an enjoyable experience made even more so by the narration. Cannot stress enough what a fantastic job she did.
My interest in the series Downton Abbey, was a big drawing point for me initially. Variety of characters that included many different backgrounds, personalities and so forth but the similarities of anybody, (woman or man, although this was very much about being a woman) became a primary theme of the story.
How alike rather than different we all are regardless of our backgrounds or life experience was made more apparent as the story went on.

What other book might you compare While We Were Watching Downton Abbey to and why?

It is a good example of a light read but with substance and many plots that intertwined to give the entire book a cohesiveness. Easy to listen to and well written with just enough cliff hanging chapters that made me continue listening. Reminds me of Elizabeth Berg's novels and also Jennifer Weiner but with a serious side that balanced well with the humor infused within the story.

What about Orlagh Cassidy’s performance did you like?

Everything!!! Her portrayal of the concierge who arranges the Sunday night screenings was magnificent! This character set the scene up and provided the outline for the rest of the book. The narration of this character was the best of all the characters in the book. Amazed at the range and accents she is able to use. An incredible narrator. This is the first book I have listened to with this narrator but I will definately look for other books she has narrated.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book ran the gamut of emotions. Many smiles, occasional laugh out loud giggles with serious moments that made me think and question the individual characters. Each of the major characters had their own story with a central theme that all came together very nicely at the conclusion. Wish it was longer but really, the story was complete and finished. Would love a sequel.

Any additional comments?

Although this was not a heavy read, it was a joy to listen to. A well written and extremely well narrated book that I found appealing. As a fan of the Downton abbey series, the book was especially of interest and I could relate to and enjoyed the discussions by the characters about their reactions and questions each time they viewed an episode. The concierge who acted as host each Sunday night was very well developed as a person which added to the development of the others through his interaction with the other characters.
All in all I would recommend this book. I felt entertained and enjoyed every moment!

Felt Like the Author was Phoning It In

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Only if they were bored and liked chick-lit a lot. Plot and characters both ran thin.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

John and Samantha's marriage and love story was the least interesting, simply because it made no sense. It's hard to get invested in a romance when the feelings behind their relationship aren't clear to you. The fact John seemed like an ass didn't really help (seriously, who freezes out their partner while they're in the middle of a depressive episode and tells them to suck it up or else?). "Prince Charming" my foot.

The most interesting aspect was probably Brooke's story; unfortunately, I don't feel like she really got a proper ending.

Which character – as performed by Orlagh Cassidy – was your favorite?

Eh, none of them really. I like Orlagh Cassidy a lot in general, but I have no idea why she was cast to do a book with Southern characters when she cannot do a Southern accent. When she tried, she ranged from channeling Texas to Mississippi to the Midwest...and basically anywhere but Atlanta or even Georgia. It got a little distracting. So yeah, unfortunately I can't say I had a favorite character performance from her.

Any additional comments?

It's a bit off-putting that the author chose to set the book in Atlanta, and then did nothing with it. She didn't use the city to provide any atmosphere or sense of place, but instead just randomly keep dishing out references to cliche/touristy locations. I never got the sense Wendy Wax had ever lived in, or even visited, Atlanta—only that she'd bought one travel book to pull dated references from. As a result the book completely lacked a sense of place and immersion was lessened.

For comparison, it's like if an author decided to set a book in New York, and just randomly peppered the story with references to bagels and Times Square, but nothing else. Weird and bad writing.

I will listen to it again!

This book was a delight! I loved everything about it! Just lovely in every way!

Listened twice

I recommend this book, never boring, great characters, well done! I liked it so much listened to it again a few years later. Still

I was actually surprised!

If you could sum up While We Were Watching Downton Abbey in three words, what would they be?

Enjoyable, laughter, light

What other book might you compare While We Were Watching Downton Abbey to and why?

Can't think of any off the top of my head.

Which scene was your favorite?

Anytime the gals and guys were watching Downton Abbey, then eating the great food.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Whenever the "butler" would see to the needs of others. Nice touch

Any additional comments?

After listening to so many "heavy" books, I needed a light, happy, didn't have to know anything about Downton Abbey book. I truelly enjoyed it!! The narrator did a fantastic job and it was just an book that left you feeling good. Thanks, I needed that!!

OK for Chic Lit.

Thin storyline. Predictable and silly at times. It is one of those books that makes you think, "Heck, maybe I can be a writer if this is all it takes".It is a book you might listen too while cleaning the house because it does not require close attention. It is certainly not riveting material, just a light, kind of fun read. The narration was kind of nasal, with an over the top Southern drawl at times. A bit annoying. I personally did not like or dislike the characters. They were not at all engaging.

Orlagh Cassidy makes this story a joyful read.

I have never read anything by Wendy Wax before but the title caught my attention with the mention of Downton Abby. I have enjoyed the series on PBS so was curious about how Wax could make a story about watching the T.V. series. The story takes place in Atlanta in an old famous hotel The Alexander that was remodeled into condos. The concierge service was contracted out to a English man who's family had been "in service" for generation. He decided to have a get together of the tenants to watch Downton Abbey each week and discuss it after along with tea and food items popular in England. He had the servings staff dress up in costumes to look like the staff of Downton Abby. Three women meet and sit together each week and get to know each other. Samantha, the rich old Atlantic money, Claire an empty nester who is taken a year to write a book and Brooke a divorcee with two small children. Samantha's brother, Hunter, is the bad guy in the story. The story has humor, a small amount of drama and human interest to a thin plot line. The story is very easy to listen to and Orlagh Cassidy is super with the accents and developing each person. She really makes the book come alive. I think this book is a perfect example of how important the narrator is to the book.

Great beach read

What made the experience of listening to While We Were Watching Downton Abbey the most enjoyable?

Orlagh Cassidy has redeemed herself as a narrator. Great job with the voices.

What was one of the most memorable moments of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey?

Downton Abbey and Southern Women. It doesn't get any better than that.

Any additional comments?

Great weekend read. Now on to Wendy Wax's other books.

great from start to finish

Any additional comments?

What an outstanding book for anyone who loves a great story about finding friends, ourselves and what makes us happy with the outstanding back drop of the series Downton Abbey. This was our book club pick for the month, which I think will be a hit! 4 stars

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS BOOK!!!!

Where does While We Were Watching Downton Abbey rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Out of the a lot of audiobooks I have listened to in recent year, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey was and still is one of my absolute favorite books. Definitely in my TOP five list of favorite books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is quite hard to choose a favorite character in this story, they are all so dynamic. You can't help but fall in love with all these ladies and Edward. If I had to definitely pick a favorite character I would have to say Edward, the Concierge. Why, because he seemed to be the confidant of all of the ladies always giving them good advice and a bit of wisdom and never passing judgement.

Have you listened to any of Orlagh Cassidy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey was my first book narrated by Orlagh Cassidy. She was so great listening to her as I read along with my copy of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey made my reading experience so much more vivid and alive.

Who was the most memorable character of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey and why?

They all were very memorable for me. I can not choose just one.