Orson Welles, Volume 3

One Man Band gathers strength page by page. This is by far the funniest volume of the three, and in some ways the most revelatory. The more vulnerable Welles becomes, the more vivid Callow’s writing. The fear was always that a description of Welles’ later years would be depressing. But this is that rare thing: a book about decline which is actually exhilarating – David HareOne Man Band gathers strength page by page. This is by far the funniest volume of the three, and in some ways the most revelatory. The more vulnerable Welles becomes, the more vivid Callow’s writing. The fear was always that a description of Welles’ later years would be depressing. But this is that rare thing: a book about decline which is actually exhilarating – David HareA biography as huge as if it had been fed a Welles-style diet of roasted chicken and foie gras – Victoria Segal * Sunday Times *Callow continuously strikes to the quick and the essential in Welles – Michael Coveney * Independent *Impeccably detailed research peppered with anecdotes and […] his witty conversational style – Kevin Maher * The Times *Compulsive reading. – Robert McCrum * Observer *The third volume has a tremendous panache, matching Welles’s own bravura and extraordinary energy, giving a vivid account of his personality and his productions. – Robert Tanitch * Mature Times *A novel as exhaustive and exhilarating as it’s subject. * Liverpool Echo *Simon Callow probes in comprehensive and penetrating detail into one of the most complex artists of the twentieth century. * Essential Surrey *A pretty epic survey about his [Welles’] stupendous life. * Western Mail *

Simon Callow is an actor, director and writer. He has appeared on the stage and in many films, including the hugely popular Four Weddings and a Funeral. His books include Being an Actor, Shooting the Actor, Love is Where it Falls, the first two volumes of his four-volume life of Orson Welles, his theatrical memoir My Life in Pieces, and, most recently, the highly acclaimed Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World.

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