Beside Myself: An Actor's Life

This is an absorbing autobiography, beautifully written by a truly great Shakespearean actor. The writing is refreshingly direct and blunt, frequently very poignant and, above all, extremely funny. 'Beside Myself' is packed with hilarious anecdotes which make it a joy to read. These include stories about his disastrous auditions - "not only have you failed the audition, and not only are we unable to contemplate auditioning you again, but we strongly urge you to seek a different career"; his time in the South African army; his relationships with family, partners, actors etc; the difficulties he has experienced in fitting in as "a gay Jewish white South African" who has "cornered the market in minority groups"; his coke and alcohol addictions; and the group therapy sessions in the Charter Nightingale Hospital. We also learn much about his passions, especially acting, painting and writing.Sher is very candid about his ignorance about the apartheid regime. He was no anti-apartheid hero. Indeed, he claims to have been unaware of the evils of apartheid and of the worldwide struggle to remove it. He describes his shock and disbelief when he moved from South Africa to London in the late 1960s and first heard the word 'atrocity' used to describe the regime. "I'd been brought up", he writes, "with my people talking about themselves as the victims of 'atrocity', not the perpetrators."The book is full of surprises. Having seen Antony Sher in Tamburlaine, I find it hard to believe that he sees himself as "a physical wimp". And is he really so ambivalent about the theatre which, he says, is like South Africa to him? "I try and turn my back on it, but I return again and again. It's home. I love it and I hate it." Even more astonishing is his profound insecurity and self-doubtYet Sher emerges from 'Beside Myself' as a warm, self-effacing and sensitive man. And a genius. I have rarely enjoyed reading a book as much as this one.

A fan of Antony Sher, actor, writer and artist, this is a pure joy for anyone in the business of acting but also in the business of life. Antony Sher takes us back to his childhood in South Africa, his break into big roles at the RSC and through the struggle of addiction and recovery. His writing style is brilliant, sharp, moving and inspiring. I read Year Of The King in 1985 and have been a fan ever since - this updated biog doesn't disappoint and better still makes you want to be as honest and as dedicated to whatever role you have chosen in your own life.

great book although a little 'explicit' in parts. nevertheless have really enjoyed it. an easy enough read as you can pick up and put down.

Love this thank you.

This is, without a moment's hesitation, the most candid, moving, interesting and unputdownable autobiography that I have ever read. The writing style is enthralling and the combination of his own personal battles in the context of South Africa's political battles, together with some wonderful insights into the world of acting, make this a must read for anyone interested in theatre in any way. This is the best book that I have read in a long, long time. Certainly I have never read another autobiography and felt quite such an intense sense of really understanging the subject. Quite brilliant.

This autobiography is as candid and lucid a description of the struggle to become an actor as I have ever read. If you are interested in taking up acting as a career or indeed just interested in the theatre as a whole then this is an essential read.I once was told by a dear friend (an actor) that people use the word 'brilliant' much too much, usually when they mean 'passably good'! Well, this book is 'brilliant'. Sher is every bit as good a writer as he is an actor (and artist). No wonder someone complained 'Is there no end to this man's genius, damn him!'

I adore acting be it amateur dramatics on stage, or if i ever get that chance to achieve my dream if only, on tv in a major british soap opera, and i have first hand knowledge how good an actor, Sir Anthony sher is because i had the honour of acting on the same stage as this great acting talent. Enough said best book ive ever read on acting.

I had never heard of Sir Antony Sher before Amazon suggested "The Year of the King" to me. I devoured that then got his memoir "Beside Myself". He has interesting insight into his life. It was fascinating. Not a name dropping gossip rag. He writes about how he built characters and his career. Good honest writing. I am planing to read his other books now.

So insightful and humble and reassuring on a human scale. An oasis of reality in a theatre person's world of non-reality.

A beautiful comprehension of life’s difficulties and joys through the eyes of a successful actor.

I absolutely adore this journey! Truth to power! Thank you for this beautiful, honest, and brilliant book. I'm beyond moved.

Great book.