In Review

09 January 2009 12:14 BST

Heath: A Family’s Tale by Janet Fife-Yeomans

Published by Pier 9, out now, hardback, 330 pp, £16.99.

In a nutshell...

A tender and tragic portrait.

What's it all about?

In early 2008 the entertainment world was rocked by the tragic and untimely death of extraordinary Australian actor, Heath Ledger, as well as the triumph of his masterful performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight, released six months after his passing. Janet Fife-Yeoman's lovingly written biography begins with a detailed retelling of the events of the day Heath was found dead in his Manhattan apartment, then takes us to the beginning of his life with an overview of his close ancestry and a playful description of his early years as a brave and good natured boy living in Western Australia. The book then leads us through a breezy but insightful look at the career, life and loves of this unique talent.

Who's it by?

Janet Fife-Yeomans is chief reporter for The Daily Telegraph and an award winning journalist who has authored or co-authored six books. In 2007 she released her award winning book, Killing Jodie: How Australia's most elusive murderer was brought to justice.

As an example...

"There were obvious reasons why he had turned to these drugs: the breakdown of his relationship with Michelle; the strain of missing his daughter; his perfectionism at work, coupled with never feeling satisfied with his performance. The intensity of his portrayal of the Joker may also have taken its toll, but Heath was having problems long before The Dark Knight."

Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster

There is little doubt that Heath Ledger will go down with the likes of James Dean in Hollywood history as one of the brightest young stars to be extinguished too early, but any cinematic biopic about the man is likely to be more concerned with artistic license and sensationalism than raw fact, unlike this warm but to-the-point biography.

So is it any good?

From the start of this biography it is clear that Fife-Yeomans has a great deal of respect for the subject, with occasional throwaway sentences sounding like the outbursts of an adoring fan-girl, but for the most part the book is focused on presenting a rounded and down-to-earth portrait of Heath Ledger that balances detail and a brisk reading pace. Aspects of Heath's life that could be considered unsavoury, such as his family's squabbles over financial matters, his continuous recreational use of marijuana, and his early escapades with significantly older women are discussed frankly whilst the man's complex and nuanced talent is hailed with perhaps over-enthusiastic, but not wholly unwarranted, affection.

What brings a deal of weight and authenticity to the book is the extensive use of quotes from interviews with Heath's extended family and friends.

This book is an easy read that celebrates the work of a great talent. Readers will be left feeling as if they almost know the man behind the “gay cowboy” and the “mass-murdering clown,” making them all the more deeply saddened by his untimely passing.

8/10

Jim Dixon