Alec Guinness: A Life

by Garry O'Connor

(Applause Books). The late Sir Alec Guinness, one of the great British actors of the 20th Century along with his fellow knights Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, was known for his ability to slip, chameleon-like, into his roles. His most mmemorable included DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Obi-Wan Kenobi in STAR WARS, George Smiley in the television adaptation of John Le Carre's SMILEY'S PEOPLE and his Oscar-winning performance in BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. Known, but not known, for despite being a familiar face throughout the world from his acting and memoirs, Guiness remained an enigmatic, complex man, careful throughout his life to show little of his true self. Until now. For the first time, Garry O'Connor is able to reveal the full story, including how Guinness was shaped by his illegitimacy, his strained relationship with is mother, and his search for certainties through the Roman Catholic Church. Backed by impeccable research, including interviews with Guinness himself, and containing startling new information about his childhood, his secret relationships and the fears that haunted him, the book is a portrait of the true, complicated man behind the idelible performances.

Genres: Biography

1 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2002

Reviews

[Frank Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst written books I have ever read. A really disrespectful biography - sometimes you wonder where was the editor? Poor English, bad grammar and dreadful research. I'm sure Alec Guinness wasn't perfect, like the rest of us, but he doesn't deserve this treatment.

[Katharine Holden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written, poorly edited, and choppy biography mostly concerned with Guinness' alleged homosexuality. The author analyzes a few flimsy comments and vague, bitchy stories to the point of ridiculousness. The rest of Guinness' life gets short shrift as the author repeatedly points out, with evident pique, that Guinness was a man who could write autobiography and publish journals but still manage to keep himself to himself. The only reason I am not sorry I spent time with this book is the opportunity to read a quotation from a note Guinness left to his wife along with his will and financial information: "I hate to think of all the distress I may have caused you. I love you dearly. Forgive me. I cannot imagine what life would have been without you. All my love. Alec. Take great care -- particularly with electrical appliances and cigarette ends."

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about him and the history of the world that he lived during.