Richard Burton, My Brother

by Graham Jenkins, Barry Turner

The brother of the distinguished actor reveals the deep-rooted insecurities and conflicting values that adversely affected Burton's career, offering numerous anecdotes, an introduction by Elizabeth Taylor, and previously unpublished photographs

Genres: Biography, Film

247 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Debra Pawlak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book written by Graham Jenkins, the brother of Richard Burton (who was born a Jenkins). However, it only scratched the surface of this complicated man. Extremely talented, Burton seemed to squander his life away with liquor and some very bad choices. Although I learned a few things that I didn't know before, I just feel there was so much more to Burton. Another problem, I had with the book was how Graham constantly referred to his brother as 'Rich'. Now I am sure that was the name he called his brother, but for me every time I read that name, it jarred me out of the story. Two hundred plus pages later, and I still couldn't get used to it. Burton led a life of tragedies and triumphs, but nothing was really explained in great detail. While the book boasted an introduction written by Elizabeth Taylor, I was disappointed to find a mere fifteen lines of text. How much thought did she really put into it? About as much thought as the author put into the entire book itself. Unfortunately for Burton, his personal antics outshone his fine work on the stage and screen. Rest assured, I will be on the lookout for a more in-depth biography on one of the greatest yet underrated actors of our times.

[Elvis2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected an excellent book. It is not. It's poorly written and filled with unnecessary and boring information. We know he was an alcoholic who drank prodigious amount of liquor. We know he threw his career away and sought fame above all. We know he told the same stories for decades to anyone who would listen and must not have been a great listener himself. We know he was very generous to many people and kind to animals. We know he died too soon.

What I did find interesting were Graham's revelations about Sally Hay's incredible pettiness toward his loving family and toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth should have been invited to the funeral in Celigny. Richard should have been buried in Wales. Sally Hays' meanness was staggering. Also, Graham makes it clear that Sally had no common sense and might have saved his life had she made just one phone call, to a doctor or EMT when Richard, a consistent early-riser, was still asleep at 7AM. What did Sally do at that moment? She went back to bed. When she finally awoke, he was making gurgling noises. What did she do then? She called Valerie Douglas, 7000 miles away in California. Valerie had to tell her to call a doctor. I guess she hadn't thought of that. This is stunning to read.

I never spoke to Richard. I was too starstruck and shy but I saw him when he was only fifty-two, standing all alone in what looked like a silly velvet tuxedo, at a party after the Oscars in 1978. Not very popular in Hollywood because of his behavior with other men's wives, he had just lost for his performance in Equus. Both my husband and I agreed that Richard looked very old, sick, haggard, wasted. He still had a dwindling handsomeness about him, though. He was married to Susan at the time. Supposedly he had to pay one million dollars to her racecar husband in order for Hunt to agree to a divorce. Other than Sybil and Elizabeth, Richard's choice of wives was not the wisest. His choice of roles was not always wise. He threw his life away and was gone at fifty-eight.

[Liz Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graham Jenkins was Richard (born Jenkins) Burton's only younger sibling (out of 13) as their mother died a couple of days later of what we would now call sepsis. Graham had a special perspective on his famous brother throughout their lives as he was a frequent guest/participant in family gatherings as well as privy to moments of vulnerability. What I learned from this biography (I think I've now read four others and Burton's Diaries) -- more by intimation and putting two and two together -- is that Richard was a tortured soul in many ways. He was sometimes nasty and frequently disruptive in his most intimate relationships. The alcohol and cigarette addictions were necessary to help him carry the enormous guilt from having broken up his first marriage for Elizabeth Taylor and later for the paralysis of his beloved brother Ifor. Richard is no less fascinating for all of his faults. This book is an important contribution to understanding the whole man, flaws and brilliance, weaknesses and genius. He was uniquely talented as an actor but some think his best role was as Elizabeth Taylor's husband, a view Graham doesn't dispute. I highly recommend this book if you're a fan.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burton's brother Graham or "Gray" as he was called, was obviously proud of his brother. The entire family's closeness is impressive and representative of the close-knit Welsh. The book had no real new revelations was entertaining nevertheless

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book by Richard Burton's younger brother, but it was very hard to read, as it was like watching a train wreck. A man with incredible talent and presence, Burton wasted it on drink and cigarettes and died at age 58. Very sad.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#140 of 150 books pledged to read during 2019

[Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

[Korynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was told by someone that any sibling that writes about their famous sibling simply wants a piece of fame for themselves. That may be true to some degree about this book, but also I think the author wanted to set the record straight about the life of Richard Burton. He tries to avoid making excuses for his brother, but does in the end apologize for Richard's mistakes and the grand futures he abandoned for money and drink. It talks of his birth, his youth, his ability, all of his awards and accolades, his stunning debuts and successes. His failures are also here as well as his possibilites. There are pictures and reminsciences from contemporaries. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about who Richard Burton was, especially to his family...also this book has the honor to be the only biography of him on the shelf that Elizabeth Taylor personally endorses, by writing the introduction.

[Adolfo Rico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a man who was so contradictory in his public and private life. He was a one of kind; no doubt as tough as they came from that era. A great stage actor, movie star, also. His note books journals shows the his strengths, weakness of that of an ordinary human being stripped from all the tinsel. Good read. Fascinating for those who do mental health work.