The Castle on Sunset Audiobook By Shawn Levy cover art

The Castle on Sunset

Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont

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The Castle on Sunset

By: Shawn Levy
Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Since 1929, Hollywood’s brightest stars have flocked to the Chateau Marmont as if it were a second home. An apartment building-turned-hotel, the Chateau has been the backdrop for generations of gossip and folklore: where director Nicholas Ray slept with his 16-year-old Rebel Without a Cause star Natalie Wood; Jim Morrison swung from the balconies; John Belushi suffered a fatal overdose; and Lindsay Lohan got the boot after racking up nearly $50,000 in charges in less than two months. But despite its mythic reputation, much of what has happened inside the Chateau’s walls has eluded the public eye - until now.

With wit and insight, Shawn Levy recounts the wild revelries and scandalous liaisons, the creative breakthroughs and marital breakdowns, the births and deaths to which the hotel has been a party. Vivid, salacious, and richly informed, The Castle on Sunset is a glittering tribute to Hollywood as seen from inside the walls of its most hallowed hotel.

©2019 Shawn Levy (P)2019 Random House Audio Actors Americas Entertainment & Celebrities State & Local United States Celebrity Business

Critic reviews

"Fascinating, dishy, and glimmering with insight, The Castle on Sunset is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich and racy history of Tinseltown. Shawn Levy’s entertaining and deeply researched biography of a building chronicles experiences both glamorous and sordid, historical and contemporary. This is the definitive book about Hollywood’s most storied hotel." (Cheryl Strayed, number one New York Times best-selling author of Wild)

"Reading The Castle on Sunset, I felt like I was sneaking around the hallways of the Chateau after midnight and peering through keyholes in history. Shawn Levy pulls back the velvet curtains to reveal all the decadence, glamour, ghosts and gossip of a fabled and dreamy Hollywood. Lovingly researched and wonderfully dishy." (Joe Hagan, author of the national best seller Sticky Fingers: The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine)

"Alongside an endless supply of famous guests, Levy has managed to make the hotel itself a living, breathing, and wonderfully endearing character. The Castle on Sunset is thoughtfully researched and gorgeously executed." (Jacob Tomsky, New York Times best-selling author of Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality)
Fascinating History • Captivating Hollywood Stories • Pleasant Voice • Detailed Research • Interesting Anecdotes
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The book as fascinating. Fun and full of juicy tidbits. I’m a sucker for a bit of Hollywood gossip mixed in with just enough facts.

I could not stop listening!!!

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Loved it. Narrator has a pleasant voice really made me feel like I was there. Highly recommend if you like historical info.

Great history

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I thought it was pretty good and what I expected just enough old Hollywood and history.

Times gone past

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The Castle on Sunset is written in a documentary like style. The writer goes off on tangents dotted with much sensationalism by using hearsay private remarks from renown or not renown people. Linking these people to The Castle on Sunset even if it’s just an inkling relationship of any sort.

Goes off on tangents

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Starts off a bit slow with necessary background but then hits its stride. Very interesting history of a unique place during unique times.

Give it time

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The Chateau Marmont lived a thoroughly winning life. The hotel was like a person.it had issues staying in existence and itchanged through the years. The author and narrator do a thorough presentation of this elusive but loved hotel by the stars and all people who stayed there. The residents felt protected and loved living there.
The cast of characters or residents are not just famous but want private lives. They graciously are shared with us in this book. Castle on Sunset is very interesting and a good read.

Hollywood Enigma

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This was very interesting, but it was way too long in parts and found myself fast forwarding. Sometimes the author gave much more info than needed, but overall, I really enjoyed it! A great story about an amazing place.

A little long, but enjoyed it!

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This is a great book to read if you enjoy Hollywood history, because the Chateau Marmont basically witnessed a good deal of it. The book goes from the Chateau's founding in the 1920's all the way to (pretty much) present day, and along the way, goes over interesting incidents in the lives of actors, actresses, musicians, rockers, directors, producers, etc. that all occurred on its property. The narrator is clear and concise, and easy to listen to. Overall, a great read and worthwhile purchase.

Very Interesting Book Full of Great History

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I grew up in So Cal. My parents did a lot of charity work that involved movie stars. The book and narrator kept me listening right to the end.

Fun history

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I thought I was well versed in Hollywood history. The nuances and details presented with Chateau Marmont in the background made for riveting storytelling.

Riveting!

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