Remembering Peter Sellers

Rating:
Summary: in a star's shadow.
Review: This book is an important eulogy for the now deceased comic. In many ways it is the opposite to Roger Lewis' destructive biography, in that we actually hear from someone who spent time with Sellers. Touching, funny, but ultimately honest, Graham Stark defends his dead friend, by showing his genius, his frailties [numerous as they were], but also his humanity. A good portrait of damaged talent.

Rating:
Summary: A worthy tribute to Peter
Review: Well-written, insightful, sometimes poignant, mostly amusing, this was a joy to read from start to finish. I think I've read just about every book on Peter Sellers ever published, and this is top of the list. This is not some psycho-analysis of his character or motivations; it is the affectionate but honest memories of someone who was a close and loyal friend for many many years. And despite the personal involvement, Stark soon proves his views are more worthy of trust than any twisted analytical biographer with possible ulterior motives (see Roger Lewis).

Stark struck me as the sort of behind-the-scenes person we never hear about, yet who is vital to those in the spotlight, and I ended up having just as much respect for the book's author as I do for its subject. To my amazement I actually stayed up all night reading this book - the wryly-told anecdotes of the many escapades these two shared, as well as the insight into characters of the film and entertainment world of the time, was fascinating and constantly hilarious.

Subject aside (ie. even if you aren't specifically interested in Peter Sellers), this is a very well-written book, very "readable", from someone who can write perceptively without ever being harshly critical. Stark strikes a wonderful balance between being appreciative of people without being blind to their faults. His down-to-earth outlook, balanced, fair views and sense of humour are a refreshing change from so much of the biased and/or sensationalist stuff that is written about "stars", and I look forward to his autobiography out in a few months.

Rating:
Summary: A worthy tribute to Peter Sellers
Review: Well-written, insightful, sometimes poignant, mostly humourous, this was a joy to read from start to finish. I think I've read just about every book on Peter Sellers ever published, and this was certainly the most enjoyable.

This is not some psycho-analysis of his character or motivations; it is the affectionate but honest recollections of someone who was a close and loyal friend for many many years. And despite the personal involvement, Stark soon proves his views are more worthy of trust than any twisted analytical "biographer's" bizarre conclusions (see Roger Lewis).

Stark struck me as the sort of behind-the-scenes person we may not hear about very much, yet who is vital to those in the spotlight. I ended up having as much respect for the book's author as I do for its subject. To my amazement, I actually stayed up all night reading this book - the humourously-told anecdotes of the escapades these two shared, as well as the insight into personalities of the film and entertainment world of the time, was fascinating and constantly hilarious.

Subject aside (ie. even if you're not specifically interested in Peter Sellers) this is a surprisingly well-written book, very "readable", from someone who can write perceptively without ever being harshly critical. Stark strikes a wonderful balance between being appreciative of people without being blind to their faults. His good-natured, no-false-pretensions outlook, fair views and wry humour are a refreshing change from so much of the biased, sensationalist stuff written about stars, and I look forward to his autobiography out in a few months.