{"product_id":"the-immortal-dinner-a-famous-evening-of-genius-and-laughter-in-literary-london-1817-9781493076536","title":"The Immortal Dinner: A Famous Evening of Genius and Laughter in Literary London, 1817","description":"On December 28, 1817, the eccentric painter B. R. Haydon gave a famous dinner party in his painting room in London. He invited, among others, three of the greatest literary lights of the age: the poets John Keats and William Wordsworth and the essayist and wit Charles Lamb. Over the course of a long winter evening of delights, the guests recited poetry, indulged in high-minded conversation, and took part in ridiculous antics, with such displays of brilliance and wit that the party came to be known as the Immortal Dinner. Penelope Hughes-Hallett celebrates this unique gathering by vividly bringing to life these illustrious diners against a backdrop of social change. Literary London society was at its extraordinarily gifted best just two years after Waterloo: the Elgin Marbles controversy still raged; Mrs. Siddons performed Lady Macbeth in her drawing room to a distinguished audience; Joseph Ritchie, a young physician and would-be poet, prepared to explore the River Niger with a copy of Keats in his pocket. \u003ci\u003eThe Immortal Dinner\u003c\/i\u003e offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and thoughts of this literary elite at a turning point in English society. It recaptures these rare spirits, using a great many of their own words from letters and diaries. With 75 black-and-white illustrations and 2 maps.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePenelope Hughes-Hallett has also written \u003ci\u003eMy Dear Cassandra\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHome at Grasmere\u003c\/i\u003e, and has edited \u003ci\u003eChildhood: A Collins Anthology\u003c\/i\u003e. She lives in Warwickshire, England.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lyons Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51720895496466,"sku":"9781493076536","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_da1ce5e9-4fb0-480b-a53d-20e2b1a4789f.jpg?v=1762940829","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-immortal-dinner-a-famous-evening-of-genius-and-laughter-in-literary-london-1817-9781493076536","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}