Madly, Deeply - by Alan Rickman

About the Book

Told through his diaries--a twenty-five-year passion project--the beloved actor, political activist, and more grants us access to his thoughts and insights on theater performances, the craft of acting, politics, friendships, work projects, and his general musings on life.

Book Synopsis

An international bestseller
One of Barnes & Noble's Best Biographies & Memoirs of 2022
Selected by the Guardian as one of the best books of 2022
Amazon's choice for one of the best book gifts of 2023

Madly, Deeply is a rare invitation into the mind of Alan Rickman--one of the most magnetic, beloved performers of our time.

From his breakout role in Die Hard to his outstanding, multifaceted performances in the Harry Potter films, Galaxy Quest, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and more, Alan Rickman cemented his legacy as a world-class actor. His air of dignity, his sonorous voice, and the knowing wit he brought to each role continue to captivate audiences today.

But Rickman's ability to breathe life into projects wasn't confined to just his performances. As you'll find, Rickman's diaries detail the extraordinary and the ordinary, flitting between worldly and witty and gossipy, while remaining utterly candid throughout. He takes us inside his home, on trips with friends across the globe, and on the sets of films and plays ranging from Sense and Sensibility, to Noël Coward's Private Lives, to the final film he directed, A Little Chaos.

Running from 1993 to his death in 2016, the diaries provide singular insight into Rickman's public and private life. Reading them is like listening to Rickman chatting to a close companion. Meet Rickman the consummate professional actor, but also the friend, the traveler, the fan, the director, the enthusiast; in short, the man beyond the icon.

Madly, Deeply features a photo insert, a foreword by Emma Thompson, and an afterword by Rima Horton.

Review Quotes

"His design background didn't go to waste either. The book's endpapers reproduce his sweet illustrations and affable handwriting. . . . From his obituaries I got the feeling he was wonderful company. These diaries confirm it."
--The Guardian

"It's a joy to spend time in Rickman's company."
--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Alan Rickman was born in West London. Rickman studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design, the Royal College of Art, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He started in theater and later expanded to films with Die Hard. Rickman played a wide variety of characters in iconic films across many genres, including Truly, Madly, Deeply; Sense and Sensibility; Galaxy Quest; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; Love Actually; and every movie in the Harry Potter series. He passed away in 2016.