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A Pocketful of Happiness

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A Pocketful of Happiness

By: Richard E. Grant
Narrated by: Richard E. Grant
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About this listen

'A gorgeously candid account of acting and show business. And an intimate and heartfelt story of love, loss and a life spent together. It is an honour to be invited in on these diaries. I cannot remember being so moved by a book' Dolly Alderton

'Fascinating, funny and heart wrenching' Dame Julie Walters


'An emotional rollercoaster - profoundly moving and wonderfully entertaining. A brilliant memoir about living, loving and losing' Bernardine Evaristo

‘One of the bravest, strongest, funniest memoirs I’ve ever read’ Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

An intimate and uplifting memoir by Richard E. Grant.


Born in Swaziland in 1957, Richard E. Grant moved to the UK to pursue his acting career, and has been a fixture on our screens since his breakout role in Withnail and I in 1987. When his beloved wife Joan died in 2021 after almost forty years together, she set him a challenge: to find a pocketful of happiness in every day.

The result is this book.

Set between the present day and flashbacks to delightfully indiscreet diary entries recalling landmarks from his remarkable life and glittering career, this is an immensely personal and profound memoir that celebrates and cherishes life’s unexpected joys.

Funny, moving and perceptive, A Pocketful of Happiness is an insight into the life of a much loved British actor.
©2022 Richard E. Grant. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, UK. All Rights Reserved.
Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Happiness Career
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What listeners say about A Pocketful of Happiness

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Heartwarmingly honest

A wonderful tribute, to a much loved partner, parent, friend and colleague. Written and read with warmth, honesty, humour and a whole heap of name dropping. Brilliant memoir, simply loved it with huge thanks for sharing.

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Beautiful

Both a chronicle of a love story, and a model of how to deal with the slow passing of a loved one.
Beautifully expressed. At once heartbreaking and uplifting.
Thanks to Richard for sharing this with us.

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A beautiful love letter

Very poignant, personal and beautiful insight into love and loss, whilst weaving in an autobiography.

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Wow !!

what a beautiful book, well written and read, what a brave man you are Richard

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I stood and cheered

Amazing book. I laughed, I cried, I fist pumped the air, I stood and cheered. Ah. I'm so proud to have been a part of it.

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Outstanding!

One of the most beautiful books I have listened to. Naturally written and read with such authenticity. What a incredible love story. I laughed and cried ugly tears while listening. What a befitting tribute to an amazing lady.

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Heartwarming, heartbreaking

A flawless book, flawlessly read. It made me cry and smile in equal measure. Highly recommend.

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Outstanding

I lost the love of my life to cancer just as Richard's wife was diagnosed. Listening to this special, very talented gentleman narrate his experience almost 2 years on has been so helpful to me, I identify completely with the hearbreak. His wit and charm make this memoir an extraordinary mix. An absolute must for anyone who has lost someone. He writes so well. Never a dull moment ❤💚

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Exquisite, heart-wrenching, joyous

Listening to Richard tell his and Joan’s love story was unforgettable. The book has an unusual, brutal honesty and poignancy without being maudlin. It made me laugh and weep in equal measure.

Joan’s last moments needed little commentary and yet Richard’s pauses spoke volumes. He and his daughter allowed her to pass away with the greatest of dignity.

Loved Richard’s Barbara Streisand moments - delivered with such unassuming panache. His takes of Hollywood and the acting world reveal what a thoroughly lovely chap Richard is.

The resounding feeling I was left with was admiration for this family who lived and supported each other no matter what - and appreciation of how many lives Joan touched.

I hope Richard writes a second memoir in the years to come recounting his pocketful of happy moments discovered. I for one can’t wait…

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Absorbing. Touching. Unforgettable.

Very occasionally a book turns up in your life which you know you will remember forever: funny, moving, unique.
A Richard E. Grant masterpiece.

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