Madly, Deeply

The Diaries of Alan Rickman

By: Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson - foreword, Rima Horton - afterword

Narrated by: Alfred Enoch, Bonnie Wright, Rima Horton, Steven Crossley

Length: 19 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

2022 Minneapolis Star Tribune Holiday Book Recommendations, Long-listed
2022 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Best Books of the Year, Long-listed
2022 Kansas City Star Top Books of the Year, Long-listed
2022 Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, Long-listed

"Narrator Steven Crossley elevates the book with his excellent reading, providing personality and a sharp, biting sarcasm appropriate to the material. A foreword by Emma Thompson is voiced by Bonnie Wright, and editor Taylor’s prologue is read by Alfred Enoch. Rickman’s wife, Rima Horton, provides a touching afterword." - Library Journal

“Emma Thompson's foreword, delivered by Bonnie Wright, and an afterword, narrated by Rima Horton, Rickman's wife of many years, combine with Crossley's engaging delivery to offer fans a listening treat.” – AudioFile Magazine

"The interesting glimpse into Rickman’s life, both on and off the stage, is expertly read by Steven Crossley..."- Toronto.com

This audiobook includes narration from Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Steven Crossley, and Rima Horton.

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Alan Rickman (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

If only Alan Rickman could have narrated

It took me awhile to appreciate Mr Rickman’s sparse, name-dropping diary entries but when I finished, I listened again from beginning to end and got much more out of his life story. A complex person who lived a full life - arrogant and vulnerable, demanding and generous, as hardworking as he was talented, and obviously loved by many friends. You can hear Rickman’s own deep, hypnotic voice with its unpredictable phrasing for a few minutes at the end of the audiobook. You might want to listen to it first.

“Always” I had no idea! Much love & respect!

I loved this! Highly recommend! These are his journals entries listed as years & date so expect that. I had no idea how much Alan suffered in silence for his craft! From his many injuries on sets, pneumonia, depression, surgeries on knee, wrist, and then his years of battling cancer first prostate then pancreatic & still making movies until the end was absolutely heartbreaking.! I knew what was coming, but still when his widow came on to describe his final months, the tears just started to flow! There’s even some entries from the 70’s &80’s. A bigger fan of his “after all this time? Always!” :(

Made me sad

I really wish he could have lived to turn this into a narrative and narrated it himself.

Entertaining

I really enjoyed listening to this, Alan Rickman is one of my favorite actors, and I just loved getting the details to his everyday life. The details and thoughts from his movie was so interesting.

Melodic Time Machine

I’m on the road a lot and have found audio books make the drives go by more quickly. The quick, journal-entry pacing of Madly, Deeply paired with the interesting tone of Alfred Enoch’s voice soothed much like the sound of a horse walking on hard surfaces.

I suspect Alan wrote his brief, dated journal entries as memory sparks, which would cue his mind to unfold memories more fully when revisiting them. While listening, even just the dates of his entries so often sparked the unfolding of my own memories formed in the same year and day. This created the need to “rewind” portions of the audio book after folding my memories back up. I’m grateful for this unexpected, unpacking effect that listening to Madly, Deeply gifted me.

I chose Madly, Deeply to learn more about this interesting human being who seemed to have an arsenal of beautiful threads at hand to artfully weave into to the characters he played. He didn’t share much of his arsenal, but it was interesting to hear familiar names and get a bit of insight of who they were to Alan. As it goes, I learned more about myself as I bonded with this man I’ll never meet. I mourned his passing again.

Thanks for adding Alan’s own lovely voice in at the end. I’m so sorry for your loss, Rima. Thank goodness you were Alan’s haven and rock, helping get him though his complicated life of acting. Take care.

a life well lived

This is an interesting journey of a fascinating man taken far too soon. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed learning more about him.

Incredibly Well Done

These diaries, of the brilliant actor & director, Alan Rickman, allow us a rare glimpse into the daily life of a working actor. Having worked in both theatre & film, having done everything from Shakespearean classics to playing memorable villains, and much more, it was eye opening. While I had always been drawn to his work, and had the good fortune to see him in a theatre production of Private Lives, this upped my respect for him even more. This man was dedicated to his craft and we, the audience, was the beneficiary. I, for one, am deeply grateful.

Madly, Deeply

Alan Rickman was an amazing human. To hear his musings was truly a gift from beyond the grave. We miss you Alan.

Absolutely breathtaking

To hear the inner thoughts and workings of this man’s mind brought to life…there’s nothing like it.
The narrator took great care in using the right inflections and tone to make you believe Alan Rickman himself were speaking his thoughts.

Thank you for sharing AR’s diaries with us.

It’s Alan Rickman journal. Need I say more?

Such an amazing audiobook. I truly enjoyed seeing Mr. Rickman’s world through his journal. The narrative was excellent.