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Free Association: Autobiography

By: Steven Berkoff
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Faber and Faber
ISBN: 0571176089
ISBN-13: 9780571176083
Released: 01 Jul 1996
RRP: £15.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

Wonderful autobiography, terrible structure + binding - By: , 07 Mar 2005
Berkoff has written a deep, intense & thoroughly entertaining account of his life in this book. As one of the most prevalent & fascinating practitioners working in the theatre today my expectations were high, but his autobiography did not disappoint; he not only charts his artistic development throughout his life & writes with bravado & charisma but he also expresses some of the fragility & disappointment in his life. His honest treatment of his seeming inferiority complex, personal loss, disappointment & disillusionment as an actor & his dismissal by the theatre industry in Britain provides revealing insights into the REAL Berkoff behind his larger-than-life persona.

However, I have two complaints with the book:
1. It is titled 'Fee Association', this means that Berkoff's account is not chronological, instead he writes in sections, starting new sections when he has a new thought. This is EXTREMELY frustrating; it makes it impossible to judge his development, & leaves the reader confused & redundant. I realise that this scatty writing is suitable for Berkoff's personality, however unlike the other reviewer I found it gimmicky. Although Berkoff is a glutton for originality, I wish he had observed time continuity in this book- it would have saved me from flicking back to a section earlier in the book to recap on a particular period in his life.

2. The paperback edition of this book has one of the poorest bindings I have come across. I do not mistreat my books & have only read it once yet lots of the pages have falllen out. The binding is so poor (shame on you Faber!) that I've bought the hardback- I would advise that others buy the hardback until Faber improve their paperback binding.

These two complaints should not stop you from enjoying the book & are minor complaints when compared against the content & magnetism with which Berkoff pulls off this book.

Bloody brilliant! - By: norcrosskate@yahoo.co.uk, 06 Jun 2000
This is just a stonkingly good read. Berkoff avoids the tedious autobiographical structure & instead moves from era to era of his life as he recallls early memories that have influenced his work & the process involved in his writing & directing. As someone with a great respect for his work, I was fascinated. However, as an insight into the theatrical process in a juicily good read - witty ascerbic & thoroughly entertaining.