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Madly, Deeply

The Alan Rickman Diaries

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A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2022: ENTERTAINMENT
A MAIL ON SUNDAYS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022

Alan Rickman remains one of the most beloved actors of all time across almost every genre, from his breakout role as Die Hard’s villainous Hans Gruber to his heart-wrenching run as Professor Severus Snape, and beyond. His air of dignity, his sonorous voice and the knowing wit he brought to each role continue to captivate new audiences today.

But Rickman’s artistry wasn’t confined to just his performances. Rickman’s writing details the extraordinary and the ordinary in a way that is anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy and utterly candid. He takes us behind the scenes on films and plays ranging from Sense & Sensibility, the Harry Potter series, Private Lives, My Name Is Rachel Corrie and many more.

The diaries run from 1993 to his death in 2016 and offer insight into both a public and private life. Here is Rickman the consummate professional actor, but also the friend, the traveller, the fan, the director, the enthusiast: in short, the real Alan Rickman. Here is a life fully lived, all detailed in intimate and characteristically plain-spoken prose. Reading the diaries is like listening to Rickman chatting to a close friend.

Madly, Deeply also includes a foreword by Emma Thompson and a selection of Rickman’s early diaries, dating from 1974 to 1982, when his acting life first began.

©2022 Alan Rickman (P)2022 Canongate Books Diaries & Journals Entertainment & Celebrities Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Celebrity Heartfelt Inspiring Witty Thought-Provoking Funny
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I thought Alan Rickman to be a fine and intelligent actor who gave much pleasure in his earlier tv roles, such as his incomparable Obadiah Slope in The Barchester Chronicles. I also very much enjoyed the extracts printed before publication - waspish and clear eyed about a profession heaving with poseurs. It turns out that having read those meant that I’d already heard the best bits. What is left is a fairly ordinary chronicle of travelling, awards ceremonies and occasional current affairs. You learn little about Mr Rickman’s inner life, that portion of narrative that makes diaries worth reading. The editing - for sound - is lazy and poor. The telegram style chronology at the beginning of each year is useless as a guide when you listen intermittently, as most of us do, We get footnotes we don’t need and don’t get footnotes we do. I am glad I used a monthly credit to buy this book - the full price would have made me feel I’d been had.

Disappointing: and lazily edited for listeners…

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I agree with some other reviewers that the narration was not all it could have been. Would it have been better if it was narrated by, for example, John Culshaw? I don't know, but I do know I am so crestfallen that a man I held in such high regard for many years has turned out to be an utter prig. Even when straight out of drama school, he was already pontificating about what everyone else was doing wrong. People we have been told for years were his great friends making excuses for his blunt and often rude behaviour. I have no idea what on Earth possessed Rima to publish what is, for the most part, a load of sanctimonious drivel.

Crikey, you can go off people, can't you

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Interesting diary let down by terrible narration. Consistent use of the wrong emphasis and pronunciation makes the text really hard to follow.

Interesting diary, terrible narration

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This is Rickman’s diary, as he wrote it. Not a memoir so it doesn’t read like narrative. Quite often, it’s in his own shorthand, e.g. met K for dinner
And read deadpan the way it was written. Initially it sounds boring but the cumulative effect is funny, informative and moving. A rare glimpse into the mind of a brilliant man.
It feels more honest than a polished memoir and really gives you entry into Alan’s mind and feelings. His opinion of the industry, his favourite people and things that annoy him.
His record of making certain films that didn’t go well is just addictive.

Moving, entertaining and eye opening

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What a privilege to be able to listen to these very personal commentaries. Thank you to all who made it possible

Compelling insight

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