{"product_id":"book-bsqk","title":"Maggie Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo one does glamour, severity, girlish charm, or tight-lipped witticism better than Dame Maggie Smith. Michael Coveney's biography shines a light on the life and career of a truly remarkable performer, one whose stage and screen career spans six decades.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom her days as a West End star of comedy and revue, Dame Maggie's path would cross with those of the greatest actors, playwrights, and directors of the era. Whether stealing scenes from Richard Burton, answering back to Laurence Olivier, or playing opposite Judi Dench in \u003cem\u003eBreath of Life\u003c\/em\u003e, her career can be seen as a 'Who's Who' of British theatre. Her film and television career has been just as starry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the title character in \u003cem\u003eThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003ethe meddling chaperone in \u003cem\u003eA Room with a View\u003c\/em\u003e to the \u003cem\u003eHarry Potter \u003c\/em\u003efilms in which she played Minerva McGonagall—or, as she put it, “Miss Jean Brodie in a wizard's hat”—and the \u003cem\u003eBest Exotic Marigold Hotel \u003c\/em\u003efilms in which she played the wise Muriel Donnelly, Smith has thrilled and engaged audiences and made them laugh. As Violet Crawley, the formidable Dowager Countess of \u003cem\u003eDownton Abbey\u003c\/em\u003e she conquered millions more. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParadoxically she remains an enigmatic figure, rarely appearing in public. Michael Coveney's absorbing biography, written with the actress's blessing and drawing on personal archives, as well as interviews with immediate family and close friends, is a portrait of one of the greatest actors of our time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Audio","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49386010149168,"sku":"BDbsqk","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD [40]","offer_id":49386010214704,"sku":"40bsqk","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/164919-bsqk-Square.jpg?v=1735153034","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-bsqk","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}