Postillion Struck by Lightning [Paperback]

Dirk Bogarde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1978

Autobiography comes in two flavors--one, the life of an interesting person, badly written; two, ditto, but written with energy, charm and style. It is to this latter classification that Dirk Bogarde's story of his early life belongs.

Bogarde was trained as an artist. Indeed, he has a drawing in the collection of the British Museum. But acting was in his blood, and this is the story of how he answered its call.

"His starring performances in 'A Tale of Two Cities,' 'The Victim,' 'Death in Venice' and 'The Damned' are equalled in this remarkable and brilliant autobiography." (Daily Telegraph)

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

7 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Distribution Services; New edition edition (October 12, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0586045694
• ISBN-13: 978-0586045695
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,917,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An uncertain childhood, July 19, 2002

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Postillion Struck by Lightning (Hardcover)

This book is the first part of an autobiographical trilogy and deals with Dirk Bogards childhood up to the age of 18. He and his sister spent the pre war years of the late 30's in an idyllic setting where everything was safe and gentle.Things changed however when he was sent to school in a harsh and unforgiving Glasgow to "whip him into shape".Then followed a few years where he tried to get into the theatre and finally to his call up to an Army camp. Everything rings perfectly truly and I can't wait to start book 2 ,"Snakes and Ladders".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful. Bogarde was an exceptional writer., May 28, 1999

By 

Thom Thomas (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Postillion Struck by Lightning (Author's Autobiography) (Audio Cassette)

The first book I had ever read by Dirk Bogarde was AN ORDINARY MAN. I couldn't wait to read the rest of his books and now have a fairly complete collection. A POSTILLION STRUCK BY LIGHTNING is one the best, full of humor, insight into human frailities, and pure craftsmanship. I'd recommend it to everyone. When I first read AN ORDINARY MAN I wrote him a fan letter addressed to his publisher. Remarkably, they passed the letter on to him and I received the most charming response. We carried on a correspondence right up to the time he became ill. It was so sad to learn of his death.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A poetic outlook on a hard life, July 11, 1998

By 

Jihan Askar( [e-mail]) (Cairo, Egypt) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A postillion struck by lightning (Hardcover)

In my opinion, Sir Bogarde is the most fascinating actor ever to grace the screen. His talent as an author is no less fascinating. He describes his early childhood with all the beauty and gentleness of a fairytale , accompanied by sweet , nostalgic sketches. As he proceeds , he describes the hardships he encountered later on with amazing frankness and clarity ,particularly a heartwrenching day of his life when he was brutally raped by a sadistic child molester. There is much strength , beauty , humour and sadness inside this amazing man. It must be an enriching experience to know him personally.