The popular actor describes his youth in northern England, his father, his mother, the difficulty of a wartime childhood, the impression of the war, his education, and his introduction to drama. 35,000 first printing.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The star of Lawrence of Arabia , Beckett and other films, O'Toole here offers a rambling narrative of his upbringing in northern England during the '30s and '40s. There are some entertaining anecdotes: O'Toole's auditions at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he charmed the Academy's director before he knew who the man was, or that the organization gave acting classes; his travels and bohemian adventures with friend O'Liver (sic); the peripatetic life of his father, a bookie, and his shady friends. Unfortunately, O'Toole's sentences run on, his narrative jumps confusingly in time and he uses slang and earthy metaphors to excess. The strangest part of the book is the many pages devoted to Adolf Hitler, about whom O'Toole writes with sloppy familiarity: "The dictates of Providence had Hitler clearly murmuring that his opponents all were little worms and, abstractedly perhaps, thinking of Danzig and Poland, he took his sheet of paper that Neville Chamberlain had signed and wiped his fearful arse on it." Reading this memoir is like sitting at a bar with a chatty drunk whose nearly incoherent monologue contains a few lucid, wonderful moments. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Caveat emptor: this is only the first volume of the Irish actor's memoirs, covering roughly the opening 20 years of his life. Once you accept the fact that there will be no stories about the making of Lawrence of Arabia or O'Toole's many other wonderful films, you can revel in his colorful writing: e.g., "It was smashing to be back among the throng of gamesters, gee-gees, jockeys, bookies." Among the aforementioned "throng" was the author's roguish father, Captain Pat. The other major figure in these pages is Adolf Hitler; Peter was 7 when World War II broke out, and he's obviously still obsessed with the imprint the German dictator left on the world. Entertaining stuff, but recommended only for larger collections.
- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Avtor, Great Writer...Who Knew?,
By
This review is from: Loitering With Intent: The Child (Paperback)
Peter O'Toole's early years, growing up in Ireland, are a remarkable beginning for one of our grandest theatre artists. This story fascinating story is set against the back drop of the chaos of the 1930s, the rise of Hitler, and the lead up to World War II.
As enthralling as this story is, the writing in this book are every syllable as deliscious and enjoyable as the life in these stories. The biggest surprise is that the subject of these pages, Peter O'Toole, is also the author! As it turns out, Mr O'Toole is as superlative a writer as he is gifted on the stage and screen as an actor. Who knew? The best news of all: this is volume one. Read it and then rush out and grab volume II, "Lotering With Intent: The Apprentice."
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Sweeping Account of Ireland's Greatest Gift,
By russ11@flash.net (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Loitering With Intent: The Child (Paperback)
RUSS SARTAIN (russ11@flash.net) From creeking through the old house and rediscovering a youth not forgotten, to vivid chidhood memories of Der Furer, this book could be describing many a wild haired youth in war time Ireland and England, but could never be retold with such passion and utter beauty as the great Peter O'toole did in this sweeping portrayal of his childhood. I was mesmorized on how vivid each memory was in his mind. It reminded me of my own childhood but was described in a way that is difficult for even me to remember, and I am only 25 years of age. I highly reccomend this for any one and any aged person who longs to remember and aches to be reminded of his own wild eyed care-free youth. A MUST READ!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loitering With Intent, The Best Autobiography, Ever!,
By profpeg "profpeg" (Central Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Loitering With Intent: The Child (Paperback)
I've always known Peter O'Toole is a great actor, but have been wonderfully surprised to learn he is also a great writer. His stories of his early life are priceless, and his use of the English language is poetic, humorous, and as descriptive as a master's painting. I had read this book when it first came out, delighted in re-reading it again recently, then went online and bought three additional copies to share my enjoyment with friends.
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