The Castle on Sunset

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

By: Shawn Levy

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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)

A little long, but enjoyed it!

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.

Fun history

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.

Times gone past

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

Goes off on tangents

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.

Give it time

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

I could not stop listening!!!

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.

Great history

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

BRILLIANT AND AMAZING BOOK!

Absolutely Fascinating Book from beginning to end. Intelligently and BRILLIANTLY NARRATED by Mike Chamberlain. He brings such a great style to narrating it with gravitas. Filled with wonderful well researched anecdotes!👍

Meticulous!!

Absolutely magical. I miss this area and think about it daily. My neighborhood. The book was like a magic carpet ride home. 👠

Underwhelming narration

Really disappointing audiobook—I don’t recommend. The narration was dull and flat, and there’s no easy way to navigate the chapters since only sections are listed—but not the chapters.