More Than Just A Good Life: The Authorised Biography of Richard Briers

by James Hogg

The term 'national treasure' has seldom been more appropriate. Richard Briers was not only the nation's favourite next-door neighbour thanks to his work in the iconic BBC sitcom The Good Life , he was an actor you felt like you really knew, despite having only seen him on stage or screen. While his role as Tom Good might be considered the pinnacle of Richard's sixty-year career, it sits atop a mountain of roles that combined represent one of the most productive and varied careers in British entertainment history. Indeed, Richard's television work alone makes up a not insignificant portion of our country's best endeavours on the small screen, from Jackanory and the anarchic Roobarb and Custard through to Dr Who, Inspector Morse, Ever Decreasing Circles, Extras, and the long-running comedy drama, Monarch of the Glen. On the big screen Richard appeared alongside Raquel Welch, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Kathy Bates and Michael Keaton, and he even taught Keanu Reeves how to act like Sir Henry Irving. But it was on the stage where Richard felt most at home as, in addition to testing him as an actor, it would often satisfy his passion for taking risks. Appearances in the West End were often interspersed with pantomime seasons or a world tour playing King Lear alongside Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. He was, as he always described himself, 'just a jobbing actor'. Anecdote-rich, this revealing but celebratory book will also lift the lid on the stories behind the shows, films and plays that made up this extraordinarily prolific career, not to mention Richard's working and personal relationships with many of his best-known collaborators and co-stars.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2018

About the author

James Hogg was a Scottish poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in Scots and English. As a young man he worked as a shepherd and farmhand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many of the great writers of his day, including Sir Walter Scott, of whom he later wrote an unauthorized biography. He became widely known as the "Ettrick Shepherd", a nickname under which some of his works were published, and the character name he was given in the widely read series 'Noctes Ambrosianae', published in Blackwood's Magazine. He is best known today for his novel The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner. His other works include the long poem The Queen's Wake, his collection of songs Jacobite Reliques, and the novels The Three Perils of Man, The Three Perils of Woman, and The Brownie of Bodsbeck.

Reviews

[Jason Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you think of Richard Briers, if like me you were born in the early seventies, then you will always associate him with The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles. Reading this book i found out that he was so much more than just situation comedy actor. From his early childhood days selling cigarettes and comics to appearing in films with such legendary actors as Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington this book covers it all. It also tells the background story of his family life, which opens him up to be a more complex character than you can imagine. A fantastic read and definitely up there with the best i have read :)

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical kind of celebrity biography, this time of the genial British actor Richard Briers. Beware it's the 'authorised' version which means no criticism or real depth of character, just heartfelt tributes and amusing anecdotes from all of the acting community who seemed to have known him. The author follows the tried and tested chronological approach to Briers' life story and it works; if you know anything about British culture in the late 20th century then this will all be very easy and familiar for you to read about. The name-dropping is fun and there are some amusing moments featuring Briers' love of swearing and the stuff he got up to with Brian Blessed. Hardly insightful, but it's certainly thorough and it is enjoyable to read.

[Bookthesp1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfectly efficient trawl through the family history and career of "genial" Richard Briers -authorised by the family and therefore both respectful and cautiously selective with lots of quotes and references to his daughters who often comment and lovingly describe their dads traits and opinions. Briers had what seems a conventional route through pre and post war austerity. There are some attempts at commenting on his progress- his lack of interest in school; no university career (despite playing many middle class aspirational characters); the years at RADA and his hard work ethic and career highs - the Silver medal at RADA; the demented typewriter Hamlet; the years honing his craft in Rep and the gradual breaks that got him TV work -all interesting enough with a good spread of anecdotes and breezy prose emphasising his professionalism and work ethic. Alongside this there is the family narrative-how he met his wife and the upbringing of the kids. James Hogg, a ghostwriter does a decent enough job and really is a ghostwriter on this (Published in 2018) written after Briers death in 2013.
One wonders in the age of more layered reflective biography whether these sort of cut and paste efforts are enough- though this is a proper tribute paying due respect to Briers ambitions in more highbrow theatre work covering Shaw; Ibsen; Ionesco; Chekhov and Shakespeare and having some lovely photos of Briers at work and at home.
Indeed; there is no darker Briers presented here- no hidden diaries or revelatory moral turpitude- and that is fine- he was a somewhat driven working actor with children to support always looking for the next job who was lucky enough to create iconic roles on TV such as the solipsistic Tom Good or the non self aware Martin Bryce in Ever Decreasing Circles. The working relationship with ken Branagh is also crucial to his career. Occasionally there was the awkward but intriguing juxtaposition of playing evil Bastard type characters as one offs in Morse or Midsomer Murders- genial Richard Briers goes nasty.
There are weaknesses though in this book- not least the lack of detail or reflection on his work with Alan Ayckbourn - often referred to but rarely explored- indeed there appears to be more on his VoiceOver stint on Roobard and Custard. This is a shame because having described Briers as an Ayckbournian type actor he then fails to flesh this out at all. The closest we get to scandal is that he was sweary on set competing with Brian Blessed and Ken Branagh for the best sweary stuff, whilst filming Branagh's Much Ado.

So ultimately Briers remains somewhat enigmatic- a busy everyman type whose appeal seemed to be based on boundless energy (not looks); hard work and professionalism (always word perfect on the lines) and his generosity as an actor to others. interesting anecdotes as he tested his daughters resilience as they both tried out the acting profession- telling Lucy repeatedly that she wasn't good enough until she ....was....
Apart from the lack of Ayckbourn stories and analysis I wanted more also on the idea that he made unsympathetic characters likeable and perhaps more analysis of how his career reflected the times he lived in - but maybe I was looking for a different sort of book. Briers fans will love it but Hogg hardly moves the dial on what biography is ...........Still Briers fans will love it and it does emphasise the long and varied career both before and after The Good Life........and the man we have lost........

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Richard Briers and after reading this book I watched back to back episodes of Ever Decreasing Circles (my favourite sitcom of his) It was good to watch it knowing so much more about him.

I always thought he looked cheeky, (even when he played a serious role) but what surprised me was that he apparently swore a lot. This made me laugh as I still can't imagine it.

I admire his perseverance to get into acting and theatre. He was right not to change his speech and personality because the parts he played often required quick delivery or a kind of oddness, which he delivered in spades.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is that dreaded sub genre,the authorised biography. Where the family get to have as much input as they want.With the result that we do not come to know about the man warts and all.After all we only get to know that he smoked and drank a lot,and swore profusely even in front of young children.
The only time he got mad was when Nigel Patrick gave a young actress a bad time as a director of a play.
This is a true luvvie book.Not one actor has a bad word to say about him.
So either he was perfect or a bore.I choose the later

[Lee Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely biography of a lovely man, would be nice to dig a bit deeper in some areas, I'm sure the likes of Kenneth Brannah, Emma Thompson & Peter Egan have some additional thoughts and insights into what made him so great and such an amiable person.
Really good skim through a great life and lots that I didn't know already.

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a great deal about Richard Briers' career and wish I had seen him on the stage. Now I will watch his films and I'll read Sir Alan Ayckbourn's plays and Compton McKenzie's writing. I'll also re-read P. G. Wodehouse. I love when reading one book leads me to other works.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book by the author,much more then the good life as the title says.a good all-round comedy actor and later a more serious actor.sime of the stars if Richard briars ilk tend to get overlooked but not by Mr Hogg.recommended.

[Brian Dry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book about a lovely, talented man.
It's one of those books where you smile as you read it and as you put it down, realise that we have lost an acting treasure.
Richard Briers is missed by many.

[Philip Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting account of his life, and doesn't get repetitious at all.

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book about the life of one of my favourite actors

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have watched some of his shows and loved them. So pleased I got to read a book about his career and life.

[Karen Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read just so many memories of programmes I grew up with. Richard Briers was an icon of comedy. Bless

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

An extra star for the amazing pictures.
Written with quotes from others rather than actual story writing.

[Andy Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight to read about a delightful actor, one of my favourites.