Dark Star

What makes this account of a familiar story outstanding is that Strachan wins the reader's trust ... As an experienced man of the theatre, he suggests, qualifies and adds interesting views of his own. * The Spectator * [Vivien Leigh's] life, lived to the full at every second, will never be better told than it is in these pages. * The Sunday Times * A gripping new biography. * The Daily Mail * Strachan's meticulously researched, elegantly written volume is an eye-opener. Strachan's attention to detail is striking ... a valuable, authoritative record that supports [Leigh's] status as a great stage and screen actress. * Daily Herald, Chicago * This is a well-written biography of a much-loved star. Strachan achieves that rare thing of exposing his subject whilst maintaining their integrity. Leigh, who was fiercely private, would have been proud of this book. * The Lady * Alan Strachan does a fine job in reasserting [Vivien Leigh's] status, not merely re-examining her stage work, but also becoming the first biographer to give due attention to the underrated films she made. * Country Life * Reading this book is like meeting Vivien Leigh in her glory and her despair. One of the most revealing showbiz biographies ever. -- Sir Ian McKellen This is an enthralling book. It enthrals you by its meticulous research, its lucid language and its depiction of a Legend and a World that do not exist anymore. Alas. -- Michael Codron A wonderful tribute to a great actress and a fascinating insight into her troubled life and the machinations of the West End theatre during the middle of the twentieth century. Unputdownable. -- Dame Penelope Keith DBE, DL Impeccable research into this fascinating actress make Dark Star a page turner. The reader is as desperate to see past her ravishing beauty to the tender, tortured woman beneath as is the author. -- Maureen Lipman Three cheers for this. Alan Strachan's long overdue perceptive insight into one of the most fascinating, complex, troubled and talented actors of her time. -- Alan Ayckbourn