{"product_id":"the-secret-life-of-the-savoy-9781472269805","title":"The Secret Life of the Savoy","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e''A real triumph, beautifully written, with many wonderful stories of the Savoy.'' Lady Anne Glenconner, author of \u003ci\u003eLady in Waiting\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''An elegantly crafted, yet spritely and sparkling book, perfectly befitting its subject.'' - Ophelia Field, author of\u003ci\u003e The Favourite\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn three generations, the D''Oyly Carte family pioneered the luxury hotel and the modern theatre, propelled Gilbert and Sullivan to lasting stardom, made Oscar Wilde a transatlantic celebrity, inspired a P. G. Wodehouse series, and popularised early jazz, electric lights and Art Deco. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the history of the iconic Savoy Hotel through three generations of the D''Oyly Carte family, The Secret Life of the Savoy revives an extroardinary cultural legacy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eFor The Gondoliers-themed birthday dinner, the hotel obligingly flooded the courtyard to conjure the Grand Canal of Venice. Dinner was served on a silk-lined floating gondola, real swans were swimming in the \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003ethoroughly entertaining \u003c\/b\u003eaccount of some of London's most treasured history, with its beloved The Savoy at the heart of a \u003cb\u003efascinating and delightful \u003c\/b\u003eplot. Bravo to Olivia Williams and her fantastically colourful cast of characters. * Lady Kinvara Balfour, director and producer *\u003cbr\u003eAn\u003cb\u003e elegantly crafted, yet spritely and sparkling book\u003c\/b\u003e, perfectly befitting its subject. Williams uses group biography to beautifully illuminate some of London's greatest hotel and theatre landmarks. * Ophelia Field, author of The Favourite *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003ecracking good read \u003c\/b\u003eand a \u003cb\u003efascinating \u003c\/b\u003estory that - amazingly - has not been told before. * Fiona Duncan, the Telegraph *\u003cbr\u003eA feast of gloriously eccentric and compelling characters... a veritable cornucopia of explanations and clarifications... endlessly compelling. * Mike Leigh, director of Gilbert and Sullivan biopic 'Topsy-Turvy' *\u003cbr\u003eThis is a fascinating story, and it could not be better told. Elegant, great fun, and with a finely-judged personal touch: much like the Savoy hotel itself. * Laura Thompson, biographer of Agatha Christie and the Mitford Sisters *\u003cbr\u003eWilliams writes with \u003cb\u003eauthority and style,\u003c\/b\u003e making her ideal to chronicle the story of the Savoy. * Richard Vines, Bloomberg *\u003cbr\u003eThe story of how one family's vision shaped not only a British institution but the very idea of luxury. From Belle Epoque scandals to Hollywood gossip, and from kitchen politics to corporate swashbuckling, Williams' writing is\u003cb\u003e deliciously alive \u003c\/b\u003ewith the type of behind-the-scenes drama that will transport you back in time. * Francesca Cartier Brickell, author of 'The Cartiers' *\u003cbr\u003eA new book by Olivia Williams is to be welcomed as a reminder that \"at their height\", the D'Oyly Cartes ranked as \"the greatest impresarios and hoteliers in the world\" - as dynamic, innovative and powerful in their way as any of today's media dynasties. * Daily Telegraph *\u003cbr\u003eWhether it's The Beatles being blocked from entry or Marilyn Monroe sipping tea in a daring dress, London's Savoy Hotel has seen its share of intrigue and controversy for more than a century. Olivia Williams reveals its most decadent moments. * You Magazine *\u003cbr\u003eFrom Churchill to the real 007 via the suffragettes - an \u003cb\u003eunbelievable reel of secrets is revealed\u003c\/b\u003e * Telegraph *\u003cbr\u003eA transportive story * Tatler *\u003cbr\u003eThis \u003cb\u003esumptuous \u003c\/b\u003ebook offers a delicious insight * The Sun *\u003cbr\u003eDelves into the 5 star hotel's illustrious history, from Oscar Wilde's weekly £6,000 bills to whisky heir Thomas Dewar's 40 YEAR stay * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003eA real triumph, beautifully written, with many wonderful stories of the Savoy * Lady Anne Glenconner, author of LADY IN WAITING *\u003cbr\u003eA remarkable biography * The Eastern Eye *\u003cbr\u003eA fascinating glimpse into the past. . . Williams' biography is informative and hugely entertaining, painting a deliciously decadent picture of the glamour, theatre and scandal that surrounded the D'Oyly Cartes. * Culture Fly *\u003cbr\u003eRich with details, both serious and frivolous, and deftly sets the story of this singular institution in the context of the greater forces of English history. * The New York Times *\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Headline Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48867206365527,"sku":"9781472269805","price":11.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781472269805.jpg?v=1722282202","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-secret-life-of-the-savoy-9781472269805","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}