A Pocketful of Happiness

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The majority of what I did in it was literally looking down the barrel of the camera and talking as though I’m talking to the viewer, on my own. Obviously, at lunchtime, we’d all meet up, but generally I was on my own. Stevenson was just 28 when he undertook his journey. He was recovering from tuberculosis and was also heartbroken following the end of an affair with Fanny Osbourne, a married American woman. He hadn’t yet written the books that were to make him famous and was still financially dependent on his parents. The Cévennes offered cheap living and the chance to reflect and to write.

Tongue-tied, I can only slowly nod in agreement. It’s the first time that either of us has dared utter that toxic “C” word. Mother and daughter hug each other and our brave child says, “Let’s have a great Christmas together.”He generously agreed, and I called the stentorian-voiced Equity Bunty, who barked, “ What letter, then?” Because Jason Segel is an actor, writer and director, he’s a triple whammy. He’s very articulate and persuasive. It just seemed worth taking a leap of faith, as Sally Field did as well. Not knowing how something’s going to end makes a change from shows where everything is predictable and you’re foretold how it’s all going to end. I liked that about it.”

Home. Oilly is upbeat and excited about Christmas, totally unaware of the seriousness of our situation. Yet. Which is how Joan is determined to maintain things. So much so that when we leave for our 2 p.m. appointment, she says, “I’m sure it’s going to be all right, Mum.” Grant writes: “Am wondering, at the age of 63, and 11 months, if I am ever going to be a proper grown-up.” It’s not a question I asked myself while reading this book. He is so open, so filled with feelings and giddy with delight when loved, noticed and/or praised. (He not only writes about every exciting detail of being Oscar-nominated for his extraordinary performance in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” he then quotes various journalists and publicists about the charm and disarming candor of his enthusiasm. And then there are a few more quotes from friends who tell him how gifted and wonderful he is, as he ultimately does not win the Academy Award.) But he is too thrilled with all this to hold any of it against him, even as the Hollywood sections take away from the intensity of the book. For Australian fans, Richard E Grant will be live and on stage in November 2022 when he brings his very personal show “An Evening With Richard E Grant” to Australia.Jason Segel is both creator and star of the show, with Oscar-winner Sally Field, Outkast’s André Benjamin and newcomer Eve Lindley rounding out the unassuming team thrown together on a fantastical adventure together. Richard E. Grant also stars as Octavio Coleman, Esq, the enigmatic, charming but unsettling head of the mysterious ‘Jejune Institute,’ which our heroes find themselves investigating on a surreal scavenger hunt. Joan had been in Tahiti coaching Mel Gibson on The Bounty. We hadn’t even moved in together yet, and my career prospects were provincial to put it politely, compared to the stellar company she was keeping. But she never allowed that to come between us, even though I felt it keenly.

Thank you for writing honestly and lovingly about your wife and caring for her when she was dying from lung cancer. Allow the BAFTA-winning screen legend to reveal what you need to know about the new, most escapist show on telly…As with all celebrity autobiography, Grant is a victim of his own success. My mind wandered to other people who have experienced what Grant has without the exuberant wealth and high society support network that reaches the echelons of King Charles. Whilst you feel for Grant as a human, the way in which the book darts between trivial celebrirty anecdote and personal moments is emotionally draining and confusing. Sorry, should have said, I like to smell everything in sight. Always have done. Ever since I can remember. Can’t understand why everyone doesn’t . You’re a brilliant cook.”

Post-Christmas lull and slump. Played Scrabble and the first word Joan puts down is “memorial” and, without missing a beat, quips, “I’m still here, Swaz!” The details of Joan’s diagnosis with lung cancer, the various tests and treatments she undergoes, how she and her family come to terms with her terminal prognosis, and her death are all described with an honesty that I know many readers will appreciate. It is great to hear that they were so well-supported by the NHS and by their friends so that Joan could die at home. One of the bravest, strongest, funniest memoirs I’ve ever read.” —Bonnie Garmus, New York Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry As soon as I saw any of the other actors, I always had hundreds of questions for them, I was asking, ‘What’s going on? What have you been doing?’ That was a unique experience for me, because normally you’re interacting with other people all the time. I was like somebody who had Coronavirus, I couldn’t be with other people, I just had to be with the camera on my own.”The BAFTA Film Awards will be broadcast from the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London on February 19. During a matinee interval, the stage manager went around the dressing rooms, asking if anyone knew “the very tanned woman wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, who was fast asleep in a house seat and snoring very loudly.” Once you've stepped off the running machine, it's suddenly clear where you're actually standing and who is standing with and beside you. And who ISN'T." You just have one sound that you need to be aware of—when you say ‘basin’ or ‘council’ or ‘pencil,’ you overcompensate and say ‘bay-SIN,’ ‘coun-CIL,’ and ‘pen-CIL.’ Instead, say ‘pen-SULL’ rhyming with ‘pull’ and throw it away.” Academy Award–nominated actor Richard E. Grant’s “genuine and compelling” ( The New York Times ), “moving and entertaining” ( Publishers Weekly , starred review) memoir about finding happiness in even the darkest of days.