I have never been a fan of what is arguably Julian Fellowes greatest creation so far, Downton Abbey, but I have friends who find that incomprehensible. When I read that Mr Fellowes had a new app coming out therefore I wouldn't have been that interested until I realised that the app will be in the form of a story with chapters released bit by bit, one a week over 11 weeks with the first chapter being free to download. This concept is more intriguing so I have downloaded Belgravia on to my iPad. I have to say at first sight the app looks a little plain but I proceeded to read the first chapter anyway. I was pleased to see that the writing appears on an easy on the eye beige background and that you have the option to enlarge the font. Extra content on historical details, character sketches and maps are available throughout the text with slightly darker text indicating when these can be accessed, these subtle text colour changes can be a little difficult to pick out but if you miss them you can read them via the main menu. The story starts at the historic Duchess of Richmond's ball, the night before the battle of Waterloo and I found the added explanations about the actual events of 1815 very helpful to a non history lover like myself. You can either choose to read the text yourself or have it read to you, the audio is clear and the narrator, Juliet Stevenson, is an expressive reader. Unfortunately there does not appear to have the text in front of you whilst listening to the audio, this would have been useful. Further chapters will have to be purchased, either at a cost of £1.49 each or all ten episodes for £9.99. This seems a little expensive to me but hopefully Downton fans will consider it a bargain. Personally I like the concept and I enjoyed the first chapter and my inclination is to want to read on but I'm not convinced I would pay out this much in order to do so.
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