Graham Payn (1918–2005)

This is a very uneven biography of Noel Coward, authored (with help) by Graham Payn his long-time lover and companion. The narrative shifts in time without much pattern, taking the reader through an overly random series of anecdotes and memories. If you are a big Noel Coward fan you'll find much to enjoy, but if you are looking a well-written, definitive biography, I'd recommend "Remembered Laughter" by Cole Lesley -- Coward's secretary and friend.

This is a chatty, anecdotal account of Noel Coward's life told by former lovers. However, as Coward himself did, they remained so discrete and reticent to delve into the really juicy bits that they omitted everything of the least sexual nature. Coward, who was obviously gay, was just never openly gay and these authors have respected that policy, to the readers' loss. Otherwise it is a perfectly adequate book and has many good pictures.