
A Spectacle of Dust
The Autobiography
Pete Postlethwaite(Author)
Weidenfeld & Nicolson (Publisher)
Published on 23. June 2011
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-297-86493-6 (ISBN)
Description
After training as a teacher, Pete Postlethwaite started his acting career at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre where his colleagues included Bill Nighy, Jonathan Pryce, Antony Sher and Julie Walters. After routine early appearances in small parts for television programmes such as THE PROFESSIONALS, Postlethwaite's first success came with the acclaimed British film DISTANT VOICES, STILL LIVES in 1988. He then received an Academy Award nomination for his role in THE NAME OF THE FATHER in 1993. His performance as the mysterious lawyer "Kobayashi" in THE USUAL SUSPECTS is well-known, and he appeared in many successful films including ALIEN 3, BRASSED OFF, THE SHIPPING NEWS, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, as Friar Lawrence in Baz Luhrmann's ROMEO + JULIET, and in INCEPTION with Leonardo diCaprio. Pete Postlethwaite is one of the best-loved and widely admired performers on stage, TV (SHARPE, THE SINS) and in cinema.
In THE ART OF DISCWORLD, Terry Pratchett said that he had always imagined Sam Vimes as 'a younger, slightly bulkier version of Pete Postlethwaite', while Steven Spielberg called him 'the best actor in the world', about which Postlethwaite said: 'I'm sure what Spielberg actually said was, "the thing about Pete is that he thinks he's the best actor in the world."' This is the story of a diverse and multi-talented actor's eventful life, told in his own candid and vibrant words.
In THE ART OF DISCWORLD, Terry Pratchett said that he had always imagined Sam Vimes as 'a younger, slightly bulkier version of Pete Postlethwaite', while Steven Spielberg called him 'the best actor in the world', about which Postlethwaite said: 'I'm sure what Spielberg actually said was, "the thing about Pete is that he thinks he's the best actor in the world."' This is the story of a diverse and multi-talented actor's eventful life, told in his own candid and vibrant words.
Reviews / Votes
It is an extrovert, tender, charming and unselfconscious book, with some extraordinary, hell-raising and hair-raising anecdotes. -- Peter Bradshaw GUARDIAN The closing chapter is deeply wrenching, with Postlethwaite distributing the last of his love, time and energy among family and friends who surround him -- Ryan Gilbey EVENING STANDARD A warm read, written with openness and honesty, and therefore highly recommended. IRISH EXAMINER The man remains modest, proud and passionate from first page to last. -- Steven McKenzie THE BIG ISSUE His writing is as uncompromising as you would expect, but it's also passionate, tender and at times very funny...His book is nearly as good as some of his performances, which is saying something. -- Marcus Berkman THE SPECTATOR The closing chapter is deeply wrenching with Postlethwaite distributing the last of his love, time and energy among the family and friends who surround him. -- Ryan Gilbey THE SCOTSMAN Pete Postlethwaite's poignant, refreshingly forthright autobiography, completed just before his recent death, celebrates an extraordinary life. GOOD BOOK GUIDEMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
625 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-297-86493-6 (9780297864936)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2011
Weidenfeld & Nicolson
€2.99
Available for download
Persons
Pete Postlethwaite was born in Warrington in 1945. At the age of 24 he trained at the Bristol Old Vic, beginning a distinguished career on stage and screen. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as Giuseppe Conlon in The Name of the Father (1993), and became one of Hollywood's A-list stars through his leading role in Jurassic Park: The Lost World. He was made an OBE in the 2004 New Year's Honours List, and was well known for his support of libertarian politics. He died in January 2011, aged 64.