A postillion struck by lightning

Autobiography comes in two flavors--one, the life of an interesting person, badly written; two, ditto, but written with energy, charm and style. It is to this latter classification that Dirk Bogarde's story of his early life belongs. Bogarde was trained as an artist. Indeed, he has a drawing in the collection of the British Museum. But acting was in his blood, and this is the story of how he answered its call. "His starring performances in 'A Tale of Two Cities,' 'The Victim,' 'Death in Venice' and 'The Damned' are equalled in this remarkable and brilliant autobiography." (Daily Telegraph)