Word smith, best read book ever, a trip of a story….

I just love love this book. He’s amazing. A character in his own right, he has no airs or graces. He has a beautiful way at looking at the world and he’s the best storyteller! Love it!

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Absolutely wonderful

Loved every minute. He’s has such an extraordinary gift of observation and original way of seeing the world. Funny, charming and life affirming.

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Sheer joy

Love everything about Richard E Grant, so to hear him recall his early years starting out as an actor has been sheer joy.

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Loved it!

This was so good and made perfect by the author reading it. I couldn’t stop listening. Thank you Richard E Grant. It was wonderful 🥂

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Love the diary entries format

Really enjoyed Pocket Full of Happiness (despite the obviously heartbreaking content) so was chuffed to find this earlier title. I could listen to “Swazi Boy” read the back of a cereal box, but it was interesting and entertaining to hear the stories behind the films.

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Cannot wait for a follow up!

Truly wonderful memoir performed..and yes it is performed…by such a warm, down to earth and razor-witted actor. I read the hard copy years ago after being enthralled by Withnail, but this is an even bigger treat filled with intriguing Hollywood behind the scenes stories. Loved it.

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Love this

Well written ,well read and would recommend to anyone interested in the world of film.

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Listen and learn

Richard himself is mesmerising really well read and well written thank u, fascinating inspire into the film world.

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A joy!

I have two books I keep having to buy over and over as they get given to friends who fall so deeply in love with them they are never returned! The first is the biography of Marlene Dietrich written by her daughter Maria Riva, and the other this glorious, witty ride through the early years and gradual rise of an actor’s career as told by Richard E Grant.

I cherished the paperback when first read in the 90s, and I myself a young actor navigating the perils of an industry never kind, or predictable. It’s laugh out loud funny, but also deeply insightful about the foibles of that industry, human behaviour, and the many portraits (of the mostly A list characters) we meet along the way. What an absolute treat to now be able to revisit the book as told by the author. His reading of his own work is every bit as good as you would expect, and what an extraordinary mimic he is. It goes beyond mere mimicry, as he brings to life a host of familiar faces. The funniest, and an unexpectedly poignant portrait is that of his 14 year old self, complete with voice on the verge of breaking reading aloud the first fan latter he had ever written to no less a personage than La Streisand…a letter he considers while incandescent with joy at being introduced to his idol at a dinner party. We should all be so lucky to retain the same sense of childlike joy and curiosity in whatever direction our chosen profession takes us. An utter delight.

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Brilliantly gripping

The lovely Mr Grant has a wonderful way with words and reading his own, this spotlight on actors and acting is a joy. It made me laugh out loud and often I felt I was in the room. Read it, you won't regret it.

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