Publisher details

Author: Richard E. Grant
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Genre: Non Fiction
Released: 05 October, 2022
ISBN: 9781398519473

A Pocketful of Happiness

Buy now

Retail partners

Synopsis

Richard E. Grant emigrated from Swaziland to London in 1982, with dreams of making it as an actor, when he unexpectedly met and fell in love with renowned dialect coach Joan Washington. Their relationship and marriage, navigating the highs and lows of Hollywood, parenthood and loss, lasted almost forty years. When Joan died in 2021, her final challenge to him was to find ‘a pocketful of happiness in every day’.

This honest and frequently hilarious memoir is written in honour of that challenge – Richard has faithfully kept a diary since childhood, and in these entries he shares in raw detail everything he has experienced : both the pain of losing his beloved wife, and the excitement of their life together, from the role that transformed his life overnight in Withnail & I to his thrilling Oscar nomination thirty years later for Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Told with candour in Richard’s utterly unique style, A Pocketful of Happiness is a powerful, funny and moving celebration of life’s unexpected joys.

About the author

Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant is in no way related to Hugh Grant! Though they are quite good friends.Born and raised in Swaziland, Richard E. Grant wears a watch on both wrists. One belongs to his late father and is set to Swaziland time.Richard studied drama at Cape Town University where he co-founded the Troupe Theatre Company. He moved to London in 1982 and worked in theatre until he got his big break with the cult hit "Withnail and I" in 1986.Since then, Richard has appeared in over 80 movies, with some of Hollywood's leading directors and actors. He's also written three books, and appeared in many theatre productions.He's married to dialect coach Joan Washington and they live together in London with their daughter Olivia.