Behind the Lens: My Life

by David Suchet

Daily Mail Showbiz Memoir of the Year

'A beautiful book' Chris Evans

'Terrifically entertaining' Mail on Sunday

'An arresting photographic voyage through the life and loves of this enigmatic English star' S magazine

'Though not a conventional autobiography, we learn what makes the national treasure tick' Daily Express

A Guardian pick for the '10 biggest books of autumn 2019'

In the early days of my career, I didn't think I stood a hope in hell. Look at me: I'm short, stocky, slightly overweight, deep of voice, passionate, dark haired, olive skinned, hardly your typical Englishman. What chance did I have, going into the world of British theatre?

David Suchet has been a stalwart of British stage and screen for fifty years. From Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde, Freud to Poirot, Edward Teller to Doctor Who, Harold Pinter to Terence Rattigan, Questions of Faith to Decline and Fall, right up to 2019's The Price, David has done it all. Throughout this spectacular career, David has never been without a camera, enabling him to vividly document his life in photographs. Seamlessly combining photo and memoir, Behind the Lens is the story of David's remarkable life, showcasing his wonderfully evocative photographs and accompanied by his insightful and engaging commentary.

In Behind the Lens, David discusses his London upbringing and love of the city, his Jewish roots and how they have influenced his career, the importance of his faith, how he really feels about fame, his love of photography and music, and his processes as an actor. He looks back on his fifty-year career, including reflections on how the industry has changed, his personal highs and lows, and how he wants to be remembered. And, of course, life after Poirot and why he's still grieving for the eccentric Belgian detective.

An autobiography with a difference, this is David Suchet as you've never seen him before - from behind the lens.

'The book offers more insight into the mind and philosophy of this remarkable man than a more conventional biographical approach could have achieved' Country Life

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

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

David Suchet, CBE is an English actor best known known for his work on the stage and British television, for which he has earned international praise.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actor David Suchet's autobiography combines stories from his life along with his love of photography & this makes for a superb book.
In the openeing chapter he talks about his grandfather Jimmy, a celebrated Fleet Street press photographer, & I knew from that moment that I was really going to enjoy this book.
Suchet's style of writing is very relaxed. It's just like a friend chatting to you over a few beers in the pub. In addition, his numerous photographs raise the standard of the book above many other autobiographies.

[Linda Finlayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book and a very interesting man. I appreciated learning about the craft of acting, especially that Suchet feels his job is to connect the writer with the audience. And the amount of research and preparation he puts into a role! He deserves all the recognition he gets for his work over the years. While we don't get to see a lot of the private life of the Suchets, the reader does learn about the people who influenced him, and about how and why he became a Christian. His photography adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the authors life. Very interesting and beautiful photos! Loved this book very much

[Clive Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. Heartfelt words tell a genuinely interesting story of a life that has obviously been lived both full and well, with genuine zest and pleasure. The warmth and love for both family and close friends shines through across a lifetime, particularly his grandfather and wife, and was lovely to read about.
As one of Mr Suchet's great love is photography, the book is liberally bestowed with an excellent array of black and white imagery, through which this love radiates and and shows his evident expertise.
Super.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Amazing photographic storyline.


I admit I didn't read the entire text word for word but cherry picked sections and enjoyed the insights into this accomplished man's life journey.
It is definitely not your average celebrity auto-bio, but rather, thoughtful and insightful.
I admit to being in that select group of Poirot tragics so was drawn to this book via that avenue. I have seen David Suchet in a number of interesting documentaries so was aware that there is more to this man than the one character. I imagine I will re-borrow this title from the library at some stage and pop into parts of the text I skipped across.
Worth a read indeed and even if you just explore it through the photo essays you will enjoy it I am sure.

[Paws with a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an exquisitely presented book, David Suchet has brought together the most stunning photographs (the majority are his own work) to compliment his written memories, through which he shares not only his thoughts and feelings, but allows you to see the world through his eyes.

Each chapter is short, simple and concise...no more than 20 pages long, and half containing photographs...providing little snippets into the different themes in his life: family, hobbies, faith, choices, fame, directors, poirot and photography.

David Suchet communicates through the senses, complimenting the photography with descriptions of smells, sound touch and emotion. He also takes time to describe the photographs he didn’t take, but that are images in his thoughts...his grandparents holding hands.

I am a huge fan of David Suchet, and had the privilege of meeting him almost 10 years ago when he released ‘Poirot and Me’...he is a man who approaches life with his heart wide open...and the warmth and kindness he exudes in person emanate from the pages of his book.

One of my favourite quotes is from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and is ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb in his skin and walk around it’. David Suchet never intended writing an autobiography, but seeing life through his camera lens, and his eyes gives you so much more than an autobiography.

[Matt Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. I'm a big fan of David Suchet and the way he played Hercule Poirot on screen for 25 years but wanted to find out a little bit more about the man himself and his many other works in theatre and on screen in his remarkable 50 plus years as an actor. This autobiography was unique in the fact it includes many great photographs taken by David Suchet himself as photography is one of his great passions. From the first page to the last, the writing kept me fully engaged in his story. Really enjoyed this superb autobiography of a fine actor

[Carol Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book as David Suchet says himself not a typical autobiography. It inspired me to buy Poirot and Me which I am looking forward to starting later today. His writing style is a snapshot of the ban himself... knowledgeable, gentle and humorous.

[Jirka bianco Vágner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krásně a pokorně shrnutá cesta životem Davida Sucheta. A vůbec to není primárně o Poirotovi. Kniha je o jeho vztahu a lásce k jeho manželce, k bohu, k divadlu a filmu, k lidem, k fotografii ... a k Poirotovi.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely enchanting read, I was literally grinning all the way through reading his anecdotes and memories of his long and varied career in the acting world.
Been a fan of David Suchet since a kid when I used to watch Poirot with my nan and my mother who is obsessed with him.
There is something about his adaptation of Poirot not even the big screen versions can emulate, he is just so natural he doesn't play Poirot he IS him.
Having always liked him acting when you read about someone you either like them more or dislike the way they come across in print.
There was nothing at all not to like about this man through his book, he comes across as so down to earth, charming, friendly, always one for the underdog as his quote about looking for the most nervous autograph hunter hit a chord as that is me, I idolise these people but when faced with the chance of getting a memento of an evening watching them I just quake, the fact he champions the underdog and is so generous with his time for pretty much anyone shows a very kind heart.
He is totally and utterly unspoiled by his well deserved fame and seems to be a very warm, genuine person to everyone he meets irrespective of background, class or even if it's just a fan on the street.
Told with passion and illustrated with his beautiful photographic work this is one of the most enjoyable memoirs I have read in a while.
I have gone from always enjoying his acting work to liking the person behind the persona even more.
One of the last true gentleman of stage and screen around.

[Christine Weald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suchet describes his life's journey in a series of remembrances. He is a keen photographer, having learnt from his grand father, who was an accomplished professional. He attempts to convey his life's journey by what he has seen and felt. The book is dotted with photographs, taken from his vast collection. There is a mixture of people and objects, some are captioned, others not. I found the people captivated moments but did not see the relevance in the text to most of the objects. Not a book to be read in one sitting. The organisation was more by category rather than by time. It is an interesting insight into an accomplished actor’s life.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vskutku nádherná kniha, napsaná a nafocená Davidem Suchetem o člověku Davidu Suchetovi. Nejedná se o autobiografii s přesnou časovou posloupností, autor nás spíše nechává nahlédnout do svého vnitřního světa, do svého způsobu uvažování, odhaluje nám, co je pro něj důležité a co ne, kteří lidé na něj měli největší vliv, jakou víru vyznává, jak se připravuje na své role atd. Knihu jsem si četla vždy večer před spaním, a to nejen kvůli tomu, že je velmi těžká, vytištěná na kvalitním křídovém papíře, nýbrž proto, že David Suchet má velmi laskavý způsob vyprávění, který velmi uklidňuje.

[Tereza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sir David Suchet. He's become such a huge and important part of my childhood as I grew up watching Hercule Poirot. He's enriched my life in so many ways so it was absolutely delightful to learn about his life in this wonderful book. It brought tears into my eyes, I learned so much from it, I gained a new perspective on life and learned to appreciate unexpected turns. Thank you for this gem.

[Roxann Brennfoerder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting read!

Because I have been so impressed by David Suchet's work in Poirot, I couldn't wait to read this autobiography.
I find his descriptions of how he works to create characters fascinating, and I admire his personal values....his faithful marriage, his faith and his work ethic. His interest in human frailties, and his depiction of flawed characters is so interesting and his love of family and photography are admirable.

[Marie Scivetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely! I always enjoy memoirs that allow one to get a peek at what makes someone who they are. In a way, this is a love story as Mr Suchet shares all the people who have guided and helped him along the way, especially his grandfather. He also shares his love of family while guarding their privacy. I found him to be a true gentleman. Truly gracious. His writing felt like a breath of fresh air!

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

Beautifully written memories! To be honest I am very rarely reading autobiographies/ biographies, but I like David Suchet as an actor. Finding more about him, a real person not characters he played was amazing. He's great actor, but also very good photographer and ... Read and find out yourself 😁

[Thekirkiepirate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book that Iwould not have chosen for myself!

The book is a combination of autobiographical text and the author's own excellent photographs. Not all of the photographs have a direct link to the text, which adds to the charm of the book.

David Suchet is living an interesting and eventful life and he manages to convey this is a personalble and entertaining way/

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Suchet´s book reads just like theater plays he loves so much. Every part of his life we get to read about is an important building block of a beautiful, personal story full of meaning, depth and most importantly - love!

[Anne O'Donoghue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of David Suchet’s character acting, especially his portrayal of Hercules Poirot. I loved reading this book and having a greater insight into the actor’s methods, thoughts, beautiful photography and life! Would recommend

[Blasr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought inspiring read and a beautiful book

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at suchets life through the medium of photography and short chapters that explain certain topics such as family and career.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography with lots of photos taken by the author who happens to be a keen photographer.

[Lottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Andrea A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched all episodes of Poirot and had to know more about the man that brought him to life. Very interesting! Recommend

[Ellen Dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a "tell all" by any means, but the author focuses more on his public life than his private life. Enjoyable nonetheless.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I pick the wrong people but autobiographies tend to bore me. So when David says “Behind the Lens is not the kind of autobiography in which we start at my birth and move chronologically through every year of my life. Then I did this and then I did that. That kind of autobiography doesn’t interest me”.
So a good start and he was true to his word. Well set out and lots of interesting pictures, a lovely book.

[Celine O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!! I’ve enjoyed this book so much. I’m a HUGE fan of David and Poirot, and so it was inevitable I’d love it. As a photography lover myself, I really appreciated this format. So interesting and fascinating to see his own photographs. I would 100% recommend.

[María José Jiménez Tubío · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and lots of stories and reflections by an actor who has not only played Poirot

[Graham Bc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasant read from start to finish with some nice images.

[Ian Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle stroll through important features of his life. The book has a conversational style to it, more of a memoir with pictures.