Her new book bravely draws on personal tragedy to redefine the idea of “Identity Thriller”.
A first glance there is nothing about Deborah Goodrich Royce that would belie the colorful and varied tapestry she has woven from her life’s experiences.
As an owner–along with her husband–of one of the country’s most famed seaside resorts, Rhode Island’s “Ocean House” her normal day is already full. Today she breezes through the lobby in a light blue and white sundress casually greeting staff and club members prior to sitting down for our interview. Perhaps most noticeable as we take our seats in the Veuve Clicquot “Secret Garden,” is her utter lack of pretention and a sense that she has the world-her world-perfectly under control.
The new book, “Reef Road” draws upon the calm outward exterior that she exudes and delves into a world inspired by personal, traumatic events. In it, she has created a detailed, layered work of fiction that will have readers griping their seats. Amazon says: “In a nod to the true crime that inspired it, Deborah Goodrich Royce’s Reef Road probes unhealed generational scars in a wrenching and original work of fiction. It is both stunning and sexy and, like a bystander surprised by a curtain left open, you won’t be able to look away.
I had the pleasure of spending nearly and hour speaking with Deborah on the hotel deck with expansive views of the Atlantic and passing rain showers creating a unique and mysterious mood suitable for discussing a murder mystery. In that brief time, she impressed me not only with the depth and candor of the personal elements she brings to the book but her deep and thorough understanding of the craft of authorship. Her energy is ever present and she is especially animated when she speaks of her life, travels and most of all her family.
The entire interview is a “must see”
also see upcoming events with Deborah Goodrich Royce :
A CONVERSATION WITH ZIBBY OWENS ABOUT HER MEMOIR, BOOKENDS August 31st
Lord Fellowes engaged in conversation with Preservation Society CEO & Executive Director Trudy Coxe and Steven Feinberg of Rhode Island Film
prior to the SOLD OUT talk at The Breakers Great Hall July 26th 2022
SOLD OUT EVENT
From the Preservation Society of Newport
Julian Fellowes, the Oscar and Emmy winning writer, director, producer, novelist and actor who created “The Gilded Age” and “Downton Abbey.” Julian Fellowes has had an extensive and distinguished career in film, television, publishing and the dramatic arts. He received an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2002 for “Gosford Park,” his first produced film, and he is the creator, sole writer and executive producer of the worldwide hit series, “Downton Abbey,” which received 69 Emmy Award nominations, winning 15, over its six seasons. He also received a Golden Globe Award and special BAFTA Award for “Downton Abbey.” The “Downton Abbey” movie written and produced by Fellowes was released in 2019. Most recently, the feature film “Downton Abbey: A New Era” written and produced by Fellowes was released in Spring 2022.
His other work includes “Separate Lies” for which he received the National Board of Review Directorial Debut Award, “From Time to Time” which he wrote and directed which won Best Picture at the Chicago Children’s Film Festival and Best Picture at the Fiuggi Family Festival in Rome, “The Young Victoria,” “Vanity Fair,” his Emmy Award-winning “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” and the BAFTA nominated “The Prince and The Pauper;” and three novels – “Belgravia,” “Snobs,” and “Past Imperfect” – that were Sunday Times Best Sellers. He is responsible for the “book” of the Broadway musicals “Mary Poppins” and “School of Rock – The Musical” for which he received a Tony nomination. In January 2011, he was given a peerage and entered the House of Lords as the Lord Fellowes of West Stafford. T
he Preservation Society extends our sincere thanks to Lord Fellowes for his willingness and generosity to share this wonderful evening with us at The Breakers.
For information on sponsorships or donations to the Preservation Society, please reach out to Sarah Iwanski, Director of Development, at siwanski@newportmansions.org.
For information on tickets and event logistics, please reach out to Beverly Ware, Events Manager, at events@newportmansions.org.
The Preservation Society in newport Rhode Island organized a special visit with the Lady Fiona Carnarvon to give her history and accounts of her experience through the filming of Julian fellows HBO series “Downton Abbey” . Every unique lunch, dinner and gala package offered by the Preservation Society SOLD OUT. Each offered a personalized conversation of the Highclere history, including past owners, what it is like to run a the 300 room estate, the creation of the sustainable farm to bring health back to animals and ultimately humans, the inspiration behind the award winning Highclere Castle Gin and much much more all documented here in this recording.
Lady Carnarvon was very down to earth in her tennis shoes and linen clothes. She was funny, witty and full of life. Some interesting take aways from her question and answer presentation below are that the Highclere tours are “an experience not a visit.”, “Highclere is about the bones not the stones” meaning they are people centric and want focus on making people happy and want them to fall in love with Highclere, The filming was a “fortunate, serendipitous collaboration” Highclere highlights then vs now photos
Learn about how many staff it takes to run Highclere then vs now and so much more:
June 9th 2022 In advance of her visit, Trudy Coxe and Lady Carnarvon discuss the joys and challenges of maintaining a 300-room castle with 1,200 years of history and more than 1,000 acres of landscape. The wife of Geordie, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon and the comparisons of running the preservation society estates and the Highclare Castle
Lady Carnarvon began her career as an author by writing the guidebook to Highclere and a guide to the Egyptian exhibition which transported visitors back to Ancient Egypt. Lady Carnarvon has written two historical books, “Lady Almina”, a New York Times Bestseller, which covers First World War when Highclere was actually a hospital and “Lady Catherine” which looks at the twenties and thirties and the Second World War through the real inhabitants, both upstairs and downstairs. These contain fascinating comparisons and similarities with “Downton Abbey”. Her last bestseller, “At Home at Highclere,” is a coffee table book which documents an insight into life at Highclere Castle. Food is a key theme throughout the book, having played an important social role in the lives of the Earls of Carnarvon bringing people together, and Lady Carnarvon includes some favourite recipes from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day.
Her latest book, “Christmas at Highclere: Recipes and Traditions from the Real Downton Abbey” takes you behind the scenes and share the history and the rituals that make my home – Highclere Castle – the most magical place to be throughout the festive season. – website
The US Open. The French Open. Wimbledon. Names that evoke the world class standing of professional tennis as both a sporting event and cultural experience. Newport is home to many such cultural and iconic events. The world’s first automobile races were held on Second Beach by the well-heeled Bellevue Avenue set. The sport of kings, Polo, was nearly extinct until a few passionate individuals resurrected the sport on land they purchased specifically for the matches—now held weekly to the delight of thousands of locals and summer visitors.
And like so many of the great features of Newport that were saved by forward thinking and passionate individuals, so to is the International Tennis Hall of Fame housed in the former Newport Casino in the heart of the city’s artistic and historic center.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is welcoming beloved Australian Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt to its hallowed halls. A full weekend of world-class tennis, events, dining, ceremonies and receptions are available to the public either as single experiences or bundled packages to suit every desire, activity level and budget.
Will include the Top ATP World Tour pros -Van Alen Cup. The tournament is the only event played on grass courts outside of Europe & up close. Take a tour of the museum, enjoy shopping at a variety of vendor booths, and watch “Chat with Champions” hosted by Blair Henley each morning.
Enjoy three incredible days celebrating the legends of tennis! The Enshrinement Weekend Experience includes exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime events featuring the Enshrinement Tribute Dinner at The Elms with Hall of Famers including Andy Roddick, Stan Smith, and Tracy Austin, as well as Premium Seats to the Induction Ceremony followed by a reception with Hall of Famer Lleyton Hewitt.
FRIDAY, JULY 15
Infosys Hall of Fame Open | 11am
Quarterfinals
Enshrinement Tribute Dinner | 7pm
The Elms, Newport, RI
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Brooks Brothers Brunch with Legends | 10am
Infosys Hall of Fame Open | 11am
Doubles Semifinal & Singles Semifinals
Pre-Ceremony Refreshments | 5pm
Lleyton Hewitt Induction Ceremony Not Before 6pm
Enshrinement Reception presented by Infosys Following Ceremony, Dinner + Drinks served
SUNDAY, JULY 17
Farewell Round Robin with a Tennis Legend | 10am
Infosys Hall of Fame Open | 1pm
Singles Final & Doubles Final
