{"product_id":"otherwise-engaged-9780099490968","title":"Otherwise Engaged","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1956, at the age of 22, Alan Bates was cast in John Osborne''s controversial play, \u003ci\u003eLook Back in Anger\u003c\/i\u003e. The play changed the course of British theatre - and of Alan''s life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a sudden rush of fame, he became a member of a new circle of actors at the Royal Court: the English Stage Company. From then on, he also worked steadily in television and won international acclaim for his roles in a number of major films, from \u003ci\u003eA Kind of Loving\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eZorba the Greek\u003c\/i\u003e to \u003ci\u003eWomen in Love\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut his personal life was not always as seemingly straightforward as his career - his relationships, including that with his wife, Victoria Ward, were often turbulent. Drawing on dozens of interviews with his family, lovers, colleagues and friends - and mining a rich store of primary research - Donald Spoto chronicles Alan''s achievements as a performer against the backdrop of a complicated personal life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe actor who emerges in this biography is a compassionate man who was drawn to troubled souls, who disliked the passivity he detected in himself but was capable of communicating and understanding psychological subtleties. * Observer *\u003cbr\u003eMajor new biography of a brilliant actor * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003eJudicious critical appraisal * The Times *\u003cbr\u003eSerious and sympathetic * Literary Review *\u003cbr\u003eSpoto's authorised biography, anchored by extensive interviews with family and friends, portrays a complicated and intriguing man. * Good Book Guide *","brand":"Cornerstone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52151074029911,"sku":"9780099490968","price":14.39,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/otherwise-engaged-9780099490968","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}