-
What Fresh Lunacy Is This?
- The Authorised Biography of Oliver Reed
- Narrated by: Sean Barrett
- Length: 17 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release date: 20-06-13
- Language: English
- Publisher: Audible Studios
- Whispersync for Voice-ready
Regular price: £22.99
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Summary
Oliver Reed may not have been Britain's biggest film star - for a period in the early 70s he came within a hairsbreadth of replacing Sean Connery as James Bond - but he is an august member of that small band of people, like George Best and Eric Morecambe, who transcended their chosen medium, became too big for it even, and grew into cultural icons.
For the first time Reed's close family has agreed to collaborate on a project about the man himself. The result is a fascinating new insight into a man seen by many as merely a brawling, boozing hellraiser. And yet he was so much more than this. For behind that image, which all too often he played up to in public, was a vastly complex individual, a man of deep passions and loyalty but also deep-rooted vulnerability and insecurities. Why was a proud, patriotic, intelligent, successful and erudite man so obsessed about proving himself to others, time and time again? Although the Reed myth is of Homeric proportions, he remains a national treasure and somewhat peculiar icon.
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- Jay
- Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
- 14-11-13
Thoroughly enjoyable!!
Would you consider the audio edition of What Fresh Lunacy Is This? to be better than the print version?
Have not read the print version....
What was one of the most memorable moments of What Fresh Lunacy Is This??
All of it!
What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Gives very amusing distinguishable impressions of each person, which bring real life to the incredible stories.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both....Oliver Reed's life was clearly a roller coaster from start to finish.
Any additional comments?
Reed's antics are truly unbelievable, an absolute must read and the narration is just brilliant...One of the best biographies I've ever read/heard....I strongly advise getting this book....it made my monotonous tube rides rip roaringly funny and the the time flew by!
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ReadingWild
- 07-07-13
Such sad sweet fun
What did you like most about What Fresh Lunacy Is This??
A wonderfully read account of the life and times of the late great Mr Reed - the pace and depth of insight and speculation about his motives (and others) hits the right balance. To hear his exploits is heartening, amazing and sometimes very moving...by the time the story of his death is played out, tears were in my eyes.
What other book might you compare What Fresh Lunacy Is This? to, and why?
Red Carpets and other Banana Skins - Rupert Everett
What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
A lovely gift for voices and sccents
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Very moving - sometimes shocked by his behavior, sometimes amazed and in the end it felt like somebdy I knew had been taken too soon.
Any additional comments?
Better than other available biographies.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- The BoatBuilder
- 27-02-15
Depressing yet compelling
Very well read and compelling to listen to in spite of it coming over as a catalogue of self destruction of a superbly talented actor. In the end you realise that this was how he wanted to be when not working and although you might see it as a waste it was his choice. If only...
Now I must go watch 'Gladiator'.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Effie
- 20-12-14
Brilliant...
If you could sum up What Fresh Lunacy Is This? in three words, what would they be?
Full of humour mixed with amazing pathos, I fell in love with Ollie all over again. This book has inspired me to seek out Ollie's films and watch them again. It brought his brilliance to the fore.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- Stockport, UK
- 20-05-14
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
This is my first review. I loved this book from start to finish. Ollie's story is incredible and the narration is fantastic.
What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?
What a fantastic voice.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
If I didn't have to work or sleep; of course.
Any additional comments?
And I thought I could drink!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sandor
- banbury, oxon, United Kingdom
- 31-01-14
A Talent Wasted
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I love biographies and autobiographies but found this one of my least favourites, so wished I'd tried someone else, as I found myself disliking Mr Reed.
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
Didn't quite get to the very end, gave up.
Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett – was your favourite?
Didn't have one.
Was What Fresh Lunacy Is This? worth the listening time?
No, it annoyed me, not because it wasn't accurate I'm sure it was, I found Oliver Reed to be an overgrown school boy to whom life gave everything while he squandered it.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Brendamo
- GOUROCK, United Kingdom
- 29-08-13
oliver reed
Would you listen to What Fresh Lunacy Is This? again? Why?
Yes I enjoyed the book it was well read and interesting
What other book might you compare What Fresh Lunacy Is This? to, and why?
I cant really compare it to any of the other books I have read.
What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
His voice in some parts of the book did manage to sound reasonably like oliver reed and also some of the other actors he knew so sean ,for me anyway made this a great book to listen to.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes near to the end of the book when Olivers wife Josephine is talking about his last moments that the only thing he said was Help Hurt! and then he collapsed I just thought it sounded so sad.
Any additional comments?
Thought it was a good story well told about a very complex and misunderstood actor who many think wasted his life and career because of his addiction to alcohol
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DEBIT CARD
- 19-09-15
Ollie Reed
loved it . Oliver Reed . this man lived his life to the full. excellent
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- NICHOLA JAYNE SANDERSON
- 24-08-15
Highly entertaining , Wonderfully read
Just finished this hugely entertaining audio and was a great insight into the man that was "Ollie" The book gives all the accounts of Reeds films in some detail giving a nice timeline of the highs and lows of his career. All the escapades are here from the mischevious boozy tomfoolery to the more darker unpleasant inebriated Ollie antics. The narrator does great voices throughout and really gives you a feel of the man.He was the original "larger than life " character lived life on only his terms and had bloody marvellous ride to a sad but oh so fitting end. ( arm wrestling sailors in the pub after playing an ex gladiator. Climb aboard , highly reccomended .
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laulan
- 30-05-15
The modern day gladiator
The book gives a insight in to the real Olivier Reed and shares his roller-coaster journey through life.
Enjoyed the narration and the story is packed with incredulous tales of a guy who clearly lived life to the full.
One of the best books that I have listened to for some time, if only we could have witnessed more of Ollie at his best in films like Gladiator and Olivier Twist
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- GK
- 28-12-14
Ollie!
Any additional comments?
I read about half of this book when first released. Purchased the audio version so I could listen while on the move. This is Oliver Reed's life, passions, work, family, friends, houses, cars, pubs, rough games and hard drinking. This isn't a sentimental journey nor a bitter one either. I have never been a huge Oliver Reed fan, but I am a fan of some of his films. Women In Love, Burnt Offerings and Gladiator. I'm a fan of well written and well researched biographies. I can see why England LOVES this man. Oliver was so in love with his country and countrymen. He died too young. His career was on a come back and he still had so much to give. RIP Ollie.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- wayne buck
- 05-05-18
Oliver reed lives on
The man the legend lived without the tag of being famous ,down to earth,a man we can all relate to God bless you
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JennyK
- 09-09-17
Wonderful
An amazing story of a complex man. The family's input along with his close friends, created what felt like a very complete picture of Mr. Reed.
It is very honest and endearing. Definitely worth the time to read or listen to.