The Riviera Set: Glitz, Glamour, and the Hidden World of High Society

pick

I loved this. A biography of the Riviera ā€set‘ from 1920s to 1960s. Entertaining story of Maxine Elliott who built Chateu de l‘horizon & famous guests incl Winston Churchill, Aly khan, Rita Hayworth. Love the mix of escapist glamour and history. Interesting to follow their lives (& loves) & see how Europe & social mores changed. Rigorously researched but she has a light touch so doesn‘t weigh story down with quotes. Highly recommended.

Cinfhen Beautiful photo 6y

Abailliekaras @Cinfhen thanks! The pebbles are from Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia (not quite Riviera but close!). šˇ 6y

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Abailliekaras

The Riviera Set | Mary S. Lovell

Totally embracing the summer vibes of The Riviera Set. š†ā€ļø¸

Cinfhen š’•š’• 6y

sprainedbrain Looks like bliss! 6y

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Amie

The Riviera Set: Glitz, Glamour, and the Hidden World of High Society | Mary S. Lovell

so-so

This just wasn't what I was expecting I guess. It's full of juicy gossip, but I found that I didn't care about most of it. Part of the problem was that I had never heard of many of the people, so I wasn't really interested in their shenanigans. The stories ones I knew of, like Rita Hayworth, were more interesting. More in commentsā¬‡ļø¸

Amie I also don't think the book was effective in being a biography of a place -most of the stories were only loosely connected to the house and the book really just seemed like an excuse to dish about all these various people who had some connection to it. 7y

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Verity

The Riviera Set | Mary S. Lovell

pick

A fascinating look at the personalities who turned the French Riviera into the playground and private domain of the international rich, titled and famous. You may not have heard of some of the people who owned the houses but they were big in their day but you‘ll be intrigued by them and you‘ll definitely have heard of some of their guests - Churchill, Wallis Simpson, Rita Hayworth and more. Really good reading.

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Verity

The Riviera Set | Mary S. Lovell

New bedtime nonfiction. I picked this up a while ago but lent it to my mum first coz the pile was so big! She‘s read it now so it‘s back. I do love a bit of early 20th century rich people problems and I‘m hoping this will give me my fix!

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ShannonOffDuty

The Riviera Set: Glitz, Glamour, and the Hidden World of High Society | Mary S. Lovell

pick

This book was a real page Turner. "The hidden world of high society" seemed liked a guilty pleasure kind of read but it ended up being so much more. There are many stories of different residents in one amazing riviera chateau throughout the 1900's. Fascinating stuff. Churchill's first inclinations of possible war, Rita Hayworth's royal wedding, The King's refuge after abdicating the throne, etc... Really interesting stuff!

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