Maggie Smith: A Biography

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Review ------ From early days in the theatre to Miss Jean Brodie and Downton's formidable Dowager, Maggie Smith has endeared herself to millions. This engaging and fascinating biography reveals the life and career of one of our finest actresses (WOMAN & HOME) Dame Maggie Smith - now 81 - is a national treasure, her unforgettable asperity a delight in every role ... [Coveney's] knowledgeable, elegant biography examines the qualities of the woman in the spotlight ... But he also gently probes Smith's closely guarded privacy, with revealing anecdotes from friends, fellow thespians and Smith's sons, the actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens (Jane Shilling DAILY MAIL) A satisfying read ... [P]leasantly gossipy and a very valuable addition to the history of British theatre (Mary McEvoy IRISH INDEPENDENT) [A] solid and admiring portrait of a beloved actor's craft and career (Patricia Nicol INDEPENDENT) Michael Coveney's affectionate [biography] provides the best account we are likely to get of this reserved grand dame, who surely stands alone in having her 'witty' elbows and wrists so often singled out for praise (EVENING STANDARD, Books of the Year) The conundrum of what Smith does haunts Coveney's Maggie Smith: A Biography, on a brilliant journey from Shakespeare's Viola to J.K. Rowling's Professor McGonagall. Coveney's admiration is never in doubt, being of a rare critical type that cares for the actor's craft with infectious enthusiasm (Michael Joseph Chance TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT) Coveney has written a magnificent book that beautifully illuminates the talent and the irreducible personality of a great artist (Peter Craven THE AUSTRALIAN) Inspiring stuff - BOOK OF THE WEEK (NEW magazine) BOOK OF THE WEEK (DAILY MAIL) [A] revealing biography of the sublime life and loves of Maggie Smith (Gerald Isaaman CAMDEN NEW JOURNAL) Book Description ---------------- The definitive biography of Maggie Smith, grande dame of stage and screen, and a national treasure; named best memoir at the Woman & Home Readers' Choice Awards and Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4.