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    Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu
    Unavailable
    Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu
    Unavailable
    Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu
    Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

    Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu

    Written by Simon Callow

    Narrated by Simon Callow

    4/5

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    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    Insightful, incisive & enlightening, the first volume of Simon Callow's comprehensive biography of Orson Welles.

    Now in abridged audio, Callow's vastly entertaining chronicle of Welles's first 26 years seems even finer than it did in 1995. The author's ability to skewer his subject's evasions and lies while retaining critical affection for him is perhaps explained by the fact that Callow, an actor himself, understands the need to mythologise. Welles's innovative theatrical work in the 1930s has never been better described or analysed.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins Publishers
    Release dateJan 26, 2017
    ISBN9780008218416
    Unavailable
    Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu
    Author

    Simon Callow

    Simon Callow has starred in such films as Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Shakespeare in Love (1998). His many stage appearances include Peter Ackroyd’s critically acclaimed The Mystery of Charles Dickens.

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    Reviews for Orson Welles

    4/5

    44 ratings2 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The highest praise for this book is the sheer amount of research that went into its production. The book is extremely well researched, particularly with respect to the contemporaneous reactions to Welles' various projects. However, I found the book lacking in fluidity. Often times, it felt like the research was recited, rather than telling Welles' life story. The author's various personal agendas played a prominent role in the book; and, much of the time, the author inserted his own distanced subjective interpretation of the events. I found the author's personal agendas and subjective commentary to be distracting from what is a fascinating life. With those caveats, the book was so well researched and Welles' life so intriguing; I am continuing on with the 2nd volume.
    • 5/5
      A huge, incredibly well documented account of Orson Welles's youth, from his birth until his completion of 'Citizen Kane'. The subject himself is fascinating. Welles displayed prodigious abilities from childhood onwards and Simon Callow tells of his numerous dabblings in art and theatre as well as his work on radio prior to his move to Hollywood. The research work is impressive. This is the most complete biography of Welles I have ever read. The second volume 'Hello Americans' is just as accomplished and fans of Welles can hope that Callow will continue his exploration of Welles's later life and works.