Customer Reviews

Ralph Fiennes: The Unauthorized Biography

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Too many mistakes for my taste :( There were so many obvious mistakes in this book. If York's simple research on scenes from The English Patient was so inaccurate, it makes me wonder how inaccurate the rest of his research for the book was. (How difficult is it to watch a film and get the quotes/senarios right?) Does have some nice photos.

It's an excellent book, I must say, although it can be updated. The authors however is yet to prowl further into his private life... if he wants to make this a must-have for all Ralph Fiennes fans, that is. Another prob. is that it tends to lack good pictures, pictures of his childhood days and his family. But since this is the only Ralph Fiennes autobiography available, it is worth a read if you're into his works though.

As stated in a previous review, this *biography is definitely for the beginning Fiennes fan. For those who have followed Mr. Fiennes career and *life* for the past 4 years, save your money. Lots of rehash of previous interviews to be found in many magazine,newspaper clippings etc. Chances are you've read this stuff ten times over! No enlightening look into the soul of Mr. Fiennes, at least not anymore than he and author will let you! Besides this reads like a last minute, half-hearted term paper!

York Membrey's book is a fun, insightful and joyous read to all those of us who can't get enough of this actor we adore, yet even Membrey's painstaking research into the life of the man only scratches the surface of the soul of the great actor. This is not the fault of the author. In the personal research I have done on this man, I find that Ralph Fiennes has lived his entire life almost as an enigma. Not only do we distanced fans feel detached from his life, but, as this book shows, so do his friends, acquaintances, and even his biographer. While incomplete, however, this book is still a must for any Ralph fan. It's documentation of his professional career will read as mere review, but it's insight into his childhood is truly fascinating and touching. I hope York Membrey will continue the research begun in this book, and provide us with updates as we get to further know the greatest actor of our time.

As an ardent fan of Ralph Fiennes, I immediately purchased his biography. I already knew the basics of his life--birthday, schooling, relationships, family history, etc. What I was looking for was more personal thoughts and feelings, which I guess no one seems to know or find important. That was the one aspect that the book lacked. Sure, if you want "Ralph Fiennes 101" just to sound like you know something about the celebrity, buy the book. $16.95 will get you that. But if you want to know something about Ralph Fiennes the person, then my suggestion would be to wait for the autobiography. Although any true fan of Ralph's would know that will be a long time coming.

As a Fiennes fan I think this book offers a glimpse of life of a very private actor. Fiennes is a fine and accomplished actor regardless his moody and intense personality viewed by many. His private life may not be the ideal for everyone, but it is his personal life. York Membery's writing is just fine, but should Membery always makes deep comparison of Fiennes's widely-viewed personality with the characters in Fiennes's works such as Ivanov and Hamlet?

For the true fan, this book has nothing new to add. There are even a few mistakes printed. (Can you catch them?) But it reads well and has some beautiful pictures included.

Ralph Fiennes: the biography is a great book to read. It has tons upon tons of facts about his life! Some parts are really funny to read! There is also some great pictures of him and his "significant others" but you just have to find out who I am talking about by buying the book! You will have a great time reading it. I know I did!

This is the book for me, full of useful information, facts and insights. It can't have been easy for the author given the reclusive nature of our eponymous hero, but I think he did a grand job. I'd recommend it for anyone with even an inkling for that gorgeous man. Can't wait for Mr. Membery's next offering. Go, go, go York baby!