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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I had purchased a copy of this around the time it was published, but hadn't gotten around to reading it until now, only I ended up checking it out 0f the library as an audiobook. I think that is probably the better way to take in this work since it literally is diary entries, most of which are really short, and might be more of a slog to get through if you're reading from the page. There's a lot of talk of going out with friends and what they ate or drank, and a fair amount of theatre and rehearsal insight; but it doesn't necessarily go into a lot of anecdotal detail the way a memoir intended to be published for an audience would, so it's mostly a lot of quick observation for himself. It's interesting if you're into and have done theatre, but I think not everyone is going to love this as it wasn't necessarily intended by him to be published. It's a nice peek into his working life.
"Hard to believe that such an indomitable spirit gave out . . . This is a rare individual who has gone. Pay attention."
When I first heard that Alan Rickman's diaries were being published, I worried and wondered if this was something he'd have liked. But it's clear that he wrote these diaries — from 1992 until just before his death — with the full awareness that someone else would someday be reading them. "Can't think what this diary will read like later on."
He was a wonderfully complex and layered human being, and I miss knowing that he was on this earth creating roles and expanding his skills. He was clearly warm, funny, and sensitive . . . honest, direct, and intelligent.
25 December 1995. "Whatever law it is, or thinks it is, which says that families must gather together and get on on a particular day should be repealed or blown apart. This was the pits."
"4:15 Dr. Asher. Who is perplexed. Aren't we all? The roller coaster of healthy / sick / healthy goes on."
"Do almost nothing day off . . . There is a programme called Extreme Couponing that is the end of civilisation."
Audiobook, as narrated by [a:Steven Crossley|358889|Steven Crossley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1450724628p2/358889.jpg]: Crossley did a fantastic job for such a monumental task. Deciding to narrate the diaries of an actor who was known for his languid voice and excellent (if not delayed) diction must not have been an easy decision, but Crossley handled the task like a master.
This was hard work, it doesn’t often take me as long to read a book. I don’t think this should have been published, it felt more like notes that would eventually become a memoir.
I loved Alan Rickman’s acting but I don’t think this did him justice.
I loved Alan Rickman’s acting but I don’t think this did him justice.
A huge disappointment. This was more an itinerary than a diary. Though it has a few insights, it’s mostly just what his day to day schedule was. I don’t think he would’ve wanted this published and not because of deeply private emotional thoughts but because of its lack there of. I don’t think he’d want anyone to believe he was so boring, because I don’t believe this was really meant to be a diary in the way we think of diaries. Too bad, I was really looking forward to a dive into this man’s conscious.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
DNF - I’d recommend only for the very passionate Rickman fans. For the casual fan, it is a mishmash of names and events and references without context. I think I would have preferred a biography in collaboration with his wife and an author who could streamline and contextualize his diaries, using key passages to highlight his inner thoughts. As published, it didn’t really coalesce into a compelling read for me.
I was super excited about reading this but ultimately felt that this was not meant for public consumption. I had to skim read the book as there’s just a lot of… nothingness… which is to be expected of anyone’s diary really (so nothing on Rickman himself).
This was an edited set of diary entries, but there’s no clarity on what the editing was around. There’s also a bit in the introduction where the editor mentions not knowing whether Rickman would’ve wanted his diaries published. Knowing this as I was flicking through the book made me slightly uncomfortable, but his estate clearly authorized this so hey ho.
Disappointed as I’m a huge Rickman fan, and the end of the book made me melancholy, but ultimately just an “ok” book for me.
This was an edited set of diary entries, but there’s no clarity on what the editing was around. There’s also a bit in the introduction where the editor mentions not knowing whether Rickman would’ve wanted his diaries published. Knowing this as I was flicking through the book made me slightly uncomfortable, but his estate clearly authorized this so hey ho.
Disappointed as I’m a huge Rickman fan, and the end of the book made me melancholy, but ultimately just an “ok” book for me.
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Not a great choice on my part to do as audio. I had trouble following. Maybe will try again actually reading at some point.