
What Fresh Lunacy Is This?
The Authorised Biography of Oliver Reed
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Narrated by:
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Sean Barrett
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By:
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Robert Sellers
About this listen
Oliver Reed may not have been Britain's biggest film star - for a period in the early 70s he came within a hairsbreadth of replacing Sean Connery as James Bond - but he is an august member of that small band of people, like George Best and Eric Morecambe, who transcended their chosen medium, became too big for it even, and grew into cultural icons.
For the first time Reed's close family has agreed to collaborate on a project about the man himself. The result is a fascinating new insight into a man seen by many as merely a brawling, boozing hellraiser. And yet he was so much more than this. For behind that image, which all too often he played up to in public, was a vastly complex individual, a man of deep passions and loyalty but also deep-rooted vulnerability and insecurities. Why was a proud, patriotic, intelligent, successful and erudite man so obsessed about proving himself to others, time and time again? Although the Reed myth is of Homeric proportions, he remains a national treasure and somewhat peculiar icon.
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What listeners say about What Fresh Lunacy Is This?
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Overall
- wayne buck
- 05-05-18
Oliver reed lives on
The man the legend lived without the tag of being famous ,down to earth,a man we can all relate to God bless you
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mark pugh
- 01-22-24
Entertaining!
Thoroughly enjoyed this listen, Sometimes I zone out whilst listening to books but this had my full attention all the way through.
I Thought the narrator did a great job.
Loved hearing all about this great yet somewhat flawed Man and his escapades. stories which had me spitting out my tea on more than one occasion.
A totally crazy at times but fascinating life the world is a duller place without Oliver Reed in my opinion.
Best listen by far from all of my 40 odd books.
Absolute belter!
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- GK
- 12-28-14
Ollie!
Any additional comments?
I read about half of this book when first released. Purchased the audio version so I could listen while on the move. This is Oliver Reed's life, passions, work, family, friends, houses, cars, pubs, rough games and hard drinking. This isn't a sentimental journey nor a bitter one either. I have never been a huge Oliver Reed fan, but I am a fan of some of his films. Women In Love, Burnt Offerings and Gladiator. I'm a fan of well written and well researched biographies. I can see why England LOVES this man. Oliver was so in love with his country and countrymen. He died too young. His career was on a come back and he still had so much to give. RIP Ollie.
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- JennyK
- 09-09-17
Wonderful
An amazing story of a complex man. The family's input along with his close friends, created what felt like a very complete picture of Mr. Reed.
It is very honest and endearing. Definitely worth the time to read or listen to.
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- Marcus Bond
- 11-14-23
Been wanting this audiobook for quite awhile!!
What an exciting and interesting life this man led. One of the last of the true blue hellraisers!! Went out on his terms… what more could anyone hope for??
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Great Storytelling
Loved listening to this lovely storytelling and beautiful narration. It was so magical. I will listen to this book again! Now, I'm off to buy other books narrated by Sean Barret, because his storytelling soothes my soul.
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