Dennis Potter: A Biography

by Humphrey Carpenter

Dennis Potter was a prolific writer of genius, and his subversive television plays, such as Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective, scandalized and delighted his native Britain and the world. His death in 1994 deprived television of one of the most controversial figures it has ever known. The first serious writer of teleplays, Potter's work has canonized him in England and given him cult status throughout the world. Acclaimed writer Humphrey Carpenter, the author of candid biographies of Benjamin Britten, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Ezra Pound, now turns his talents to chronicling Potter's extraordinary life. Carpenter has interviewed everyone who came close to Potter, and was given exclusive access to Potter's archives, including never produced television and film scripts. Potter was a popular subject of gossip, both in his lifetime and after his This remarkable and official biography establishes the extraordinary truth behind the rumors, describes his strange, obsessive relationship with women, and paints a vivid portrait of the dramas and fights behind his screen triumphs.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

672 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Humphrey William Bouverie Carpenter was an English biographer, writer, and radio broadcaster. He is known especially for his biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien and other members of the literary society the Inklings. He won a Mythopoeic Award for his book The Inklings in 1982.

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody will be interested in this one, the overlong biography of a (really when you get down to it unlovable) guy who wrote plays and series for British television. His masterpiece is a six part drama called Pennies from Heaven. It’s brilliant!



But dismally most people will remember that in the form of its Hollywood remake, with Steve Martin, which is awful.



Ah well, so it goes.

[Les Dangerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and very well researched and written biography of Potter - warts, and there are many of them, and all. If I have one criticism, it is that there is a huge amount of detail about his plays. However, his plays were his life and nearly always reflected aspects of his life, so this was probably unavoidable. One thing I found particularly interesting was that he was one of a generation of bright working class children who were able to make it in life thanks to being able to go to grammar schools without paying fees. His background, growing up in a poor mining community in the Forest of Dean is fundamental to his writing career.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written and he took pains to cross reference and provide alternative view points. However as soon as I found out that Dennis was one of the boys and knew the commissioner for BBC ( Oxford) It became a bit boring

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography of Potter. Thorough and well-researched, without being too much in awe of its subject. Good summaries of his main body of work.