| In 1994, the editor of the British newspaper titled the Sunday Telegraph asked Alec Guinness - the world famous actor who played many Shakespearian roles on stage and Obi-Wan Kenobi - to keep a journal for publication. Guinness, who had kept a journal anyway through most of his adult years, agreed.
He started this journal on January 1, 1995 (when he was 82) and kept it through June 6, 1996. Entries record his reaction to the news of his friends' deaths, what he watches on tv, what cds he likes to listen to with his wife Merula, his concern when she falls and breaks a hip, his own frustrations as his eyesight and hearing fade, his work in a bit part in a film (he worries because it's hard for him to remember his lines) and his reaction to items in the news. He does sometimes tell stories from his past. The book is packed with references to other actors, writers, and artists, most of whom I did not know. Nevertheless, Guinness proved to be a very entertaining storyteller. | ||
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Plot & Themes job/profession: Job/profession/poverty story Yes Story of entertainer? - Movie Drama Actor Period of greatest activity? - 1950+ Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK City? Yes City: - London Century: - 1980's-Present Writing Style Book makes you feel? - encouraged - like laughing Pictures/Illustrations? - None How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 0-25% of book |
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