Vivian and I

Vivian and I – Colin Bacon (2010, Quartet Books) is a remarkable memoir that captures both the spirit of a colourful life and the essence of a generation defined by excess, friendship and unvarnished authenticity. In Vivian and I, Colin Bacon recounts his deep and enduring friendship with Vivian Mackerrell, the larger‑than‑life figure who inspired the iconic character Withnail in Bruce Robinson’s cult film Withnail & I.

Set against the backdrop of post‑war Britain through to the height of the baby‑boom era’s wildest moments, this memoir blends personal reminiscence with vivid character studies, offering readers insight into an extraordinary life marked by wit, talent and tragic excess. Mackerrell’s final months, lived with defiant courage in the face of terminal illness, are portrayed with affection and humour, illustrating a man who refused to temper his passions even as his body failed him.

In Vivian and I, Bacon weaves his own life story alongside his memories of Vivian, painting a rich social tapestry populated by eccentrics and luminaries including film figures and fashion designers. The book is as much a document of personal history as it is a tribute to a friend whose mercurial presence left an indelible mark on those around him. For fans of Withnail & I and readers drawn to memoirs about life on the margins of fame, this book offers a rare blend of laughter, pathos and cultural insight. Bacon’s narrative captures not only the personality of Mackerrell but also the shifting cultural landscape of the late twentieth century, making this edition a treasured piece of social and autobiographical literature.

Vivian and I is an engaging and heartfelt exploration of friendship, memory and the beautiful, chaotic unpredictability of life itself

Condition: Fine/Like New – No notable defects.