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mahrainey's review against another edition
3.0
I love him so much, but this was literally his diaries published posthumously. While he can recount the daily minutiae of his live in a succinct and witty way, it was still too much detail and too less at the same time. I did find myself chuckling out loud at some of his descriptions, but mostly I found myself listening to it at 1.75 speed to get on with it.
mercourier's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Didn't think I would like this as much as I did. Enjoyed the rhythm of his life as it unfolded. The only thing was the footnotes about who A.R was writing did t help much and I would have benefitted from more context about what was happening in his life.
megurr's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not entirely sure how to feel about this one. I love Alan Rickman, but after reading this, there’s a sense of distaste for some of his entries. He seemed to not enjoy some of his work and was quite critical of others. And then there is the aspect of reading someone’s personal journal, are we sure he wanted the world to read his private thoughts?
kahn_johnson's review against another edition
3.0
There is something almost illicit about reading someone's diary - albeit slightly less so when permission is granted via a publishing deal and a bestseller.
So what do we hope to gain from reading them? Insight into the persona? Trashy gossip? A grasp at the wisps of smoke that makes the person intrinsically 'them'?
Probably all of the above. With the exact amount of each ingredient varying from person to person.
Me? These diaries? Probably mainly insight into what drove the artist. What led to projects being taken. What processes went into becoming each character?
Unfortunately, these are not things Alan feels like sharing.
Or if he does, then our guide - the diaries have been edited for our consumption by Alan Taylor - decided we didn't need to know.
What we do get insight into is Alan's lifestyle. The man liked flying, he liked eating, and he liked - mostly - good nights with good friends.
In many ways, he just enjoyed the life he was fortunate enough to live.
And who can blame him?
What also comes across is how little he actually liked the work that paid for his lifestyle.
That's not a criticism. Not all of us a lucky enough to have a job that we love every day. But given the amount of negative emotions Alan pours out on film projects, editing, scripts, some of his fellow professionals, you really have to wonder why he ever became an actor in the first place.
It never sounds like he even remotely enjoys the process.
Or maybe he does, and Mr Taylor again decided that was something we didn't need to know.
Because, with great irony given the headaches editing caused AR, there are huge flaws in the editing of these pages.
Taylor clearly knew Alan. Clearly knew who he was writing about, which projects he was referring to.
Unfortunately, he often forgets that we also need this information - to be given context, shape, the thoughts form.
Initially you find yourself either flicking back to try and be reminded who the hell he's talking about - or, more often, which film project. When the answer isn't forthcoming, you just shrug. You probably just can't find the right reference.
But then the ham-fisted hacking and slashing jumps out of the page.
There is an entry (which, brilliantly, I can't now lay my finger on) where Alan mentions how June was full of medical updates.
Only it wasn't. Just locations, friends and food.
Now, I'm not saying those entries were essential - Taylor's editing, that's his call - but then maybe show us that you are reading your own work by removibg references to things that you don't mention?
Such slapdash work cheapens the overall feel of the book - but brilliantly, through it all, the enigma of Rickman remains.
So what do we hope to gain from reading them? Insight into the persona? Trashy gossip? A grasp at the wisps of smoke that makes the person intrinsically 'them'?
Probably all of the above. With the exact amount of each ingredient varying from person to person.
Me? These diaries? Probably mainly insight into what drove the artist. What led to projects being taken. What processes went into becoming each character?
Unfortunately, these are not things Alan feels like sharing.
Or if he does, then our guide - the diaries have been edited for our consumption by Alan Taylor - decided we didn't need to know.
What we do get insight into is Alan's lifestyle. The man liked flying, he liked eating, and he liked - mostly - good nights with good friends.
In many ways, he just enjoyed the life he was fortunate enough to live.
And who can blame him?
What also comes across is how little he actually liked the work that paid for his lifestyle.
That's not a criticism. Not all of us a lucky enough to have a job that we love every day. But given the amount of negative emotions Alan pours out on film projects, editing, scripts, some of his fellow professionals, you really have to wonder why he ever became an actor in the first place.
It never sounds like he even remotely enjoys the process.
Or maybe he does, and Mr Taylor again decided that was something we didn't need to know.
Because, with great irony given the headaches editing caused AR, there are huge flaws in the editing of these pages.
Taylor clearly knew Alan. Clearly knew who he was writing about, which projects he was referring to.
Unfortunately, he often forgets that we also need this information - to be given context, shape, the thoughts form.
Initially you find yourself either flicking back to try and be reminded who the hell he's talking about - or, more often, which film project. When the answer isn't forthcoming, you just shrug. You probably just can't find the right reference.
But then the ham-fisted hacking and slashing jumps out of the page.
There is an entry (which, brilliantly, I can't now lay my finger on) where Alan mentions how June was full of medical updates.
Only it wasn't. Just locations, friends and food.
Now, I'm not saying those entries were essential - Taylor's editing, that's his call - but then maybe show us that you are reading your own work by removibg references to things that you don't mention?
Such slapdash work cheapens the overall feel of the book - but brilliantly, through it all, the enigma of Rickman remains.
ineedscoffee's review against another edition
3.0
I don't usually read non-fiction, I like the escapism of often unrealistic situations and characters, but Alan Rickman was a force, or at least, his public persona was. A kind, somewhat stoic and extremely talented human kept his pain and illness secret from the world so that his death in January of 2016 was a shock to mostly everyone.
I wanted to read his diaries in order to understand him better, to understand how his mind worked a little and the main thing I can assess from my finishing the novel is that Alan Rickman was, at the end of the day, profoundly human, not someone to be put up on a pedestal.
He was a man. A man who didn't like everyone and didn't even pretend to, a man who often found his occupation boring, frustrating, occasionally brilliant, not glamorous as many on the outside of it would seem.
While I found the pacing of the diaries disjointed, sometimes confusing to follow, I soon found as long as I had a general idea of what year was being spoken of, I just needed to concentrate on WHAT was being spoken of. The use of initials was completely frustrating, although obviously understandable, I would often find myself googling names in conjunction with Rickman's just to work out who he was talking about.
I know neither the character of Snape well, nor was I ever a friend of the man Rickman himself (unfortunately!) but both have echos of similarity in each other and I can see that more clearly now.
Would I recommend this novel?
If you're only going to read it for Harry Potter content, then no, I wouldn't bother. There is very little in the way of BTS info, only the occasional tidbit of information here and there and what he has revealed should be easily googled. But if you're interested in understanding a little more about this wonderful man, his life, his sense of humour, his occupation, then yes, I'd say give it a go. It's quite interesting.
He is an actor that is dearly missed. I'm sure, had he been strong enough towards the end of his life, he may have shared a few more thoughts with us. Instead, we're left with the reality that memories are all we really have. Treasure them.
I wanted to read his diaries in order to understand him better, to understand how his mind worked a little and the main thing I can assess from my finishing the novel is that Alan Rickman was, at the end of the day, profoundly human, not someone to be put up on a pedestal.
He was a man. A man who didn't like everyone and didn't even pretend to, a man who often found his occupation boring, frustrating, occasionally brilliant, not glamorous as many on the outside of it would seem.
While I found the pacing of the diaries disjointed, sometimes confusing to follow, I soon found as long as I had a general idea of what year was being spoken of, I just needed to concentrate on WHAT was being spoken of. The use of initials was completely frustrating, although obviously understandable, I would often find myself googling names in conjunction with Rickman's just to work out who he was talking about.
I know neither the character of Snape well, nor was I ever a friend of the man Rickman himself (unfortunately!) but both have echos of similarity in each other and I can see that more clearly now.
Would I recommend this novel?
If you're only going to read it for Harry Potter content, then no, I wouldn't bother. There is very little in the way of BTS info, only the occasional tidbit of information here and there and what he has revealed should be easily googled. But if you're interested in understanding a little more about this wonderful man, his life, his sense of humour, his occupation, then yes, I'd say give it a go. It's quite interesting.
He is an actor that is dearly missed. I'm sure, had he been strong enough towards the end of his life, he may have shared a few more thoughts with us. Instead, we're left with the reality that memories are all we really have. Treasure them.
rosemwood's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I was not expecting this to be written in an epistolary format. About 98% are Alan Rickman's personal thoughts, uncensored opinions, and harsh critique notes written in his journal. There are footnotes and an index. The illustrations were a nice addition. Even though this was written by Alan Rickman, he did not write this book. His editor wrote and narrated this book. I feel that even though Alan Rickman wanted his editor to write this book, I don't think he wanted it written this way. I almost DNF'D this, but I wanted to hear his thoughts, so I struggled on. It is a very hard read. I gave it a three star because I took two stars away for the format alone.
moosepathleague's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this. Lots of bits of anecdotes, since he was writing to himself. Very clear eye on his own and other people's work. Loved the Harry Potter bits. Glad I read it.