Daily Mail Showbiz Memoir of the Year

'A beautiful book' Chris Evans

'Terrifically entertaining' Mail on Sunday

'An arresting photographic voyage through the life and loves of this enigmatic English star' S magazine

'Though not a conventional autobiography, we learn what makes the national treasure tick' Daily Express

In the early days of my career, I didn't think I stood a hope in hell. Look at me: I'm short, stocky, slightly overweight, deep of voice, passionate, dark haired, olive skinned, hardly your typical Englishman. What chance did I have, going into the world of British theatre?

David Suchet has been a stalwart of British stage and screen for fifty years. From Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde, Freud to Poirot, Edward Teller to Doctor Who, Harold Pinter to Terence Rattigan, Questions of Faith to Decline and Fall, right up to 2019's The Price, David has done it all. Throughout this spectacular career, David has never been without a camera, enabling him to vividly document his life in photographs. Seamlessly combining photo and memoir, Behind the Lens is the story of David's remarkable life, showcasing his wonderfully evocative photographs and accompanied by his insightful and engaging commentary.

In Behind the Lens, David discusses his London upbringing and love of the city, his Jewish roots and how they have influenced his career, the importance of his faith, how he really feels about fame, his love of photography and music, and his processes as an actor. He looks back on his fifty-year career, including reflections on how the industry has changed, his personal highs and lows, and how he wants to be remembered. And, of course, life after Poirot and why he's still grieving for the eccentric Belgian detective.

An autobiography with a difference, this is David Suchet as you've never seen him before - from behind the lens.

'The book offers more insight into the mind and philosophy of this remarkable man than a more conventional biographical approach could have achieved' Country Life

About the Author
Trained at LAMDA, David Suchet is best known for portraying Agatha Christie's Poirot for twenty-five years but has played countless other roles, including Edward Teller, Freud, Shylock, Lady Bracknell and Robert Maxwell. He is married with two grown-up children and lives in London.

Reviews
Terrifically entertaining . . . Behind the Lens sees the real David Suchet step forward at last -- Cole Moreton * Mail on Sunday *
His career is fascinating, with tales of mortifying sex scenes and obsessive perfectionism. This unconventional book still shows us what makes this national treasure tick -- Sharon Wright * Daily Mirror *
A clear impression of a man who knows exactly who he is . . . Suchet proves charming company . . . his reflections on life are gentle, good-natured and generous * TLS *

Most fascinating is his relationship with the Poirot role. This is a series of intense scenes from an extraordinary
career. Though not a conventional autobiography, we learn what makes the national treasure tick

* Daily Express *
A very unique autobiography . . . stunning . . . a beautiful book -- Chris Evans * Virgin Radio *
An arresting photographic voyage through the life and loves of this enigmatic English star -- Sharon Wright * S magazine *
Bursts with images . . . with which any working photographer would be delighted . . . the book offers more insight into the mind and philosophy of this remarkable man than a more conventional biographical approach could have achieved -- Jack Watkins * Country Life *
Beautifully packaged memoir -- Hannah Stephenson * Press Association *
A beautiful and engaging read * Woman's Way *
Beautiful . . . revealing * Radio Times *
A series of autobiographical sketches, written in an amiably informal style . . . generously illustrated * Spectator *
David Suchet's book Behind the Lens reveals his considerable talent as a photographer and takes an interesting path, seeking to show us his life and experience through his eyes. The correspondence between his words and his pictures (the book is lavishly illustrated) is never less than interesting and often revealing. He has a seriously good eye for an image, which reflects back on his feeling for character and situation. He takes us through his career and life and world view * Graham Cowley *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472130280
Author David Suchet
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Constable
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 1240g
Dimensions(mm) 252mm * 196mm * 26mm