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Average Customer Rating:

One of the few books which should be bought for 5 pages.

Customer Rating:

This book is not a classic, but it deserves a special place on a book shelf. The first chapter, details his hospitalisation (due to an operation) and than the following stroke, and lastly the life after that stroke, that said chapter was probably the most gut renching, clear description of suffering I have read. It hit something which many books miss. His detailing was not soppy but it was also not to "noble", he did not mind mentioning the indignities, humiliations, and embarrassments and so on. Whatever Dirk Bogarde's faults, and it is agreed there were like any of us- many faults, this book and that chapter in particular override the petty faults and problems which surround him. This book can take a place alongside the many books which should be bought, but also it must surely take a place alongside the very few which should be bought-if only for that said first chapter. By Nathan P. Bridle (Paul Bridles son)

A good mind, a good writer	Customer Rating:
I picked this book up remembering that Bogarde had quite a good reputation as a writer, and now I can see that he deserved it. Because these pieces have come from different sources there is a slight amount of repetition, but otherwise it's hard to fault this as an entertaining read. Home and abroad, Bogarde takes us to many places and it's very pleasant to go along with him for the ride.

another facet of Bogarde

Customer Rating:

Having read Dirk Bogarde's autobiographical works, I picked this up for a bit of light reading and was pleasantly surprised. Particularly in his childhood reminiscences, Bogarde can start to feel a bit cloying. But the book reviews in this collection are a lovely surprise. The man obviously loved reading and his pleasure really comes across in his writing. When he likes a book he makes you want to rush out and read it yourself. And when he doesn't, his wit is unexpectedly caustic. I whizzed through this book, enjoying it much more than I thought I would.

Can't go wrong buying this book

Customer Rating:

This book ranges from personal anecdotes to book reviews. This was my first real encounter with Bogarde and I feel honored to have undergone such a journey with him. The introduction concerning his reactions to illness and his thoughts on life bring a sentimental mood to the book which is perfectly accompanies the often witty book reviews. Bogarde opens up not only his own childhood world but introduces you to other authors and time periods that you may or may not have been familiar with. I found myself smiling quite a lot. Easy to read and thought provoking.