A Spectacle of Dust: The Autobiography

by Pete Postlethwaite

The candid memoirs of a great character actor  Steven Spielberg called him "the best actor in the world," about which Postlethwaite "I'm sure what Spielberg actually said was, 'the thing about Pete is that he thinks he's the best actor in the world.'" This is the story of a diverse and multi-talented actor's eventful life, told in his own vibrant words as he was at the end of it. He covers his early years, when after training as a teacher, he started his acting career at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre with colleagues including Bill Nighy, Jonathan Pryce, Antony Sher, and Julie Walters. After routine early appearances in small parts for television, his first success came with the acclaimed British film Distant Voices, Still Lives in 1988. He then received an Academy Award nomination for his role in  The Name of the Father  in 1993. His performance as the mysterious lawyer "Kobayashi" in The Usual Suspects is well known, and he appeared in many successful films including Alien 3 , Brassed Off , The Constant Gardener , The Shipping News , Romeo + Juliet , and Inception . A beloved and widely admired character actor tells his own story here.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Memoir

267 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2011

Reviews

[Tracy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the autobiography of the British actor whom Steven Spielberg called "the best actor in the world". Nominated for an Oscar for his powerful performance in the movie "In the Name of the Father", Pete Postlethwaite, who died earlier this year, was a well-respected veteran of the stage, TV, and movies.

The book focuses mainly on his career, full of interesting anecdotes about his development as an actor, and of the projects and people he worked with. It is an unfailingly honest story, where he presents his foibles in an unapologetic, matter of fact way, as well as his strengths and achievements.

His passion for acting and the deep love he had for his family and friends make this book shine, as well as his utter lack of arrogance. He was a man who never forgot where he came from and was always a regular, down-to-earth guy.

The last chapter, where he tells the story of his final days bravely battling terminal cancer and taking stock of his life, when he was no longer able to pursue his life's work and ends scant weeks before his death, brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

Though I'd seen him years ago in Jurassic Park - The Lost World, I unfortunately did not really discover Pete Postlethwaite until 2010. This was when I watched him playing the role of Obadiah Hakeswill in the Sharpe films that I'd borrowed from the library. These had been recommended to me by someone who thought I'd enjoy watching Sean Bean. I did like Sean, but it was Pete who stole the show and immediately grabbed my attention -- and sent me looking for other movies of his to watch. It wasn't long before I knew that Steven Spielberg had spoken the truth in his assessment of Pete.

It was fairly obvious in some passages that this book was written and organized in a hurry. But that is perfectly understandable because Pete knew he was dying and that the clock was winding down on him as he wrote this book. This, perhaps, makes the book even more poignant than if he'd had the time to work on it in his leisure and had been able to include more details.

I recommend this book highly.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Pete Postlethwaite in Scaramouche Jones at The Royal Theatre in Northampton and was very impressed. It is a performance that has remained with me over years.

Brassed Off and Amongst Giants were both good, gritty films to which he brought an authenticity and honesty. He has cropped up so often in my film- watching and theatre-going life and even my TV watching life and he's always been an actor I've trusted in.

I was bought this book for Christmas and it's taken me a while to read, amongst other reading and watching but it was and is a worthwhile and interesting read for anyone who respected this actor and his work.

I'm sorry he's gone!

[Sammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love Pete Postlethwaite. He was an excellent actor and I enjoyed much of his work.

This book was rather dry though, and I was disappointed to see nothing about Sharpe. Shame.

[Don Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a rollicking journey with an actor described by Steven Spielberg as one of the three best in the world. And what experiences Peter Postlethwaite shares. To give you a glimpse into his life, I'll mention just one: growing up on the fringes of Liverpool, his drama group put on Friday night socials and on one particular night the bill was Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Beatles and the Undertakers. Who was best? "The Undertakers did them all. They were the best, they were brilliant."

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw Pete in The Tempest at Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre. The greatest English actor at the greatest British theatre - lush. Oh and once had pizza with him in Chichester - He was at the next table but you know what I mean!

[Ken Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not surprised

Amazing book about a normal working class man, with working class values and a real lust for giving every role he played his best effort. A book that shows the man's love of life but mainly his family.Well worth a read.

[Stuart McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I anticipated this would be a good book, but it exceeded my expectations. A good old Warrington lad became one of the best, and arguably most underrated, actors of his generation. His love of his chosen profession is clear and, as his story unfolds, you realise there are many more great roles in great films than you'd first thought. I loved it.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Pete Postlethwaite as an actor and my friend recently loaned me his autobiography that he has written.
It's a very matter of fact telling of Pete's life, I liked his honesty and the stories he told about his work in stage and films that he has acted in.
It's not the best autography I've read, but it's still a good read.

[Judi Keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told as he wanted it to be told. I’ve long admired Pete as an actor. Very adaptable as he is showed us to be. He was the perfect casting for Guiseppe Conlon. Top of all that, he was a proper northern working class bloke & great family man. Another taken far too soon. Riep Pete x

[Keith Barraclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about a great actor. Some good anecdotes but it sometimes lapsed into a career list of the films and plays he had done.

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Postlethwaite was a one-off, a loving, generous, decent man who realised in his teens that "acting" is not a frivolous pursuit. Done in the right spirit, acting is Art - a way to open our lenses of perception beyond superficial interactions with each other. The Art in acting is to reveal us to ourselves at one remove so that we see our deepest secrets writ large on the stage of life. When acting is Art we are changed by it, by deeply witnessing it and letting our hidden selves connect with the profound revelations the actor offers us. Pete was born for that, for drama and comedy in the classical sense, to probe the deepest recesses of human motive, delusion, dis-illusion, and to choose transformation - however painful - over dissolution of the Self. Art offers us the opportunity to stop short of creating tragedy, to resolve conflicts rather than pursue them to satisfy the needs of the Ego to "triumph". Indeed, Art in acting leads us to the inescapable conclusion that there is no genuine "triumph" in abusing power over others. Triumph is about choosing our better nature over the alternatives. Pete Postlethwaite lived for those moments on stage when through acting - silently or in the words of great playwrights -he experienced the struggle with what Jung called our Daimon, the shadow self that is capable of all things including the basest evil. But Postlethwaite was not a one-dimensional actor; he explored every nook of the human psyche including moments of high comedy, low comedy, irony, and outright farce as well. He was an "actor's actor", an Artist to the manor born.

His autobiography is achingly funny and sad by turns. His self-portrayals brutally frank but also accepting of his limitations (few though they were in my estimation) as part of the deal we all make when we agree to live a human life. Pete was aware that life is choice, always choice, and false contraints like those imposed by religion or rigid systems of any kind are designed to eliminate choice in favour of obedience. But we cannot abdicate choice, ever. Even refusing to choose is a choice. Pete chose Art as a way of life. He also chose love and family and those were his anchors, what kept him real when he stepped off-stage or the cameras shut down. Pete was extraordinary in the way truly good people are: he was principled but not judgmental of others, accepting but not a push-over, and when the final shadows closed in he met them with grace. Cancer took his body in the end but no one took his spirit from us.

[Sharon Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete Postlethwaite was one of my favourite actors and it was a sad and real loss to the acting world when he passed away in early 2011 at the age of only 64.

I read Pete's autobiography for some reason sort of back to front, not a thing I normally do! I don't know if it was because I ended up with the large print edition from the library that had very dark print or it was just the way it was written, but I found the beginning chapters a bit of a chore, whereas I really enjoyed the second half of the book.

The final chapter is sad to read, knowing that Pete died a short time after completing the book. He wrote that he intended to live long enough to see his 65th birthday in February but sadly that didn't happen, passing away from pancreatic cancer on the 2nd of January.

3 and a half stars.

[Crystal Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir, especially poignant at the end chapter which was written whilst Pete's prognosis was bleak & terminal. I really enjoyed reading all about his career in the beginning as a teacher & then his rise to fame as one of Britain's well loved actors. True to himself & his artistic & personal values; this man was understated & brilliant. He always considered himself to be a 'jobbing actor' at heart with no real interest in money or the trappings of fame. I especially enjoyed reading about his party loving antics including a ride on a ghost train at The Spanish City Whitley Bay (out of season) then running on the beach laughing his head off with a bag of chips & a bunch of great mates.

[Matthew Ogborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best autobiographies delve deep into a character's soul, giving us hidden and illuminating insights. Pete Postlethwaite was a fine actor and gregarious man. He wasn't perfect, though, and he was the first to admit it. Passionate and difficult, at times, he wanted to challenge himself at every turn. For that we should be grateful as evidenced by his stellar career and love for those close to him.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of this - in my opinion - underrated actor, so when I saw this autobiography on the returns trolley at the library, I knew I had to check it out.
The account is honest and open. Postlethwaite tells it like it is - warts and all - which is the essence of who he was. A fascinating and moving read.
Pete was taken from us too soon. He is missed.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this book. He Played the Father in Distant voices very well which was an unusual part for him especially after Brassed off. What a pity he died so young at 64. Who knows what more he might have achieved

[Denis Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars - need i say more!

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but I abandoned this, it is just boring. Disappointing to me as Pete Postlethwaite is one of my most favourite actors.

[Catalina]

DNF at almost 50%
Definitely not a bad book, it's just that I am not the audience for this book and if it wasn't for this damned reading group I wouldn't have ever touched it. I really don't care about Pete Postlethwaite's life, his career, his adventures...I haven't seen any of his movies, I haven't seen him on stage and I don't care about seeing any of his movies or recorded theater performances.
It was nice to see he was in Manchester so many times, as a professor and as an artist. I enjoyed the first bit about his childhood, but by the 3rd chapter I was bored out of my mind. Definitely another miss for me..

[Alasdair Steel]

A candid, absorbing and moving autobiography. The final chapter, in particular, is particularly poignant as he was near death. His love of his family and his moral decency are very apparent. I know I would have liked him if we had met