The Real Sherlock

An Audible Original

By: Lucinda Hawksley

Narrated by: Lucinda Hawksley

Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed fictional character of all time, and he has been reimagined by actors, playwrights and directors over centuries - but who is the creator behind the detective? 

Conan Doyle’s own life was often stranger than fiction, and his most famous characters’ stories and personalities bear more than a passing resemblance to his own life and his closest friends. 

Biographer and broadcaster Lucinda Hawksley gains unprecedented access to a treasure trove of Doyle’s never-before-seen personal letters and diaries. This is a chance for Sherlock fans to see their detective hero and his creator as they’ve never seen them before. Through interviews with Doyle aficionados, academics, actors and family members, we explore Doyle’s travels and sailing adventures across the globe, his pioneering work as a doctor, his life in the Freemasons and his fights against miscarriages of justice. As well as his many triumphs, we will also explore the challenges he faced, from the death of his first wife and son to the initial rejection he faced as an author. 

We will also look beyond Sherlock to Doyle’s other great works including his fantasy and science fiction novels and hear how one of his most famous, The Lost World, part-inspired Michael Crichton’s book of the same name, which became the successful Jurassic Park film franchise.

©2019 Audible, Ltd (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Meh

There’s a reason this listen is free. If you want to hear an entertaining and informative listen on Doyle and many other great authors check out the lectures of Dr. Elliot Engel.

Wow, This listen is so informative.

Great stuff I didn't realize. He was a wonderful author but there was so much more about his life I didn't know. Quite the appetizer to learn and expand on the man and his work.

Bits and Bobs ... that we can’t see

Once again, a lovely free Audible monthly offering with great female narrators. Main narrator Lucinda and I think Rachel Weisz were a treat to listen to.

This book is just the right length, not too long nor too short. Relayed with conversation bits and book excerpts, the format worked pretty well. One odd and annoying aspect was in the showcasing of Arthur Conan Doyle’s personal effects. We hear “look, here’s his ink pot,” and “ooh, this is his pen,” and I’m not sure if that was meant to be tongue in cheek humor or if the author forgot that written/audio mediums don’t allow us to see the artifacts we’re supposed to be looking at. I suppose I should at least have been happy that when they carted out his nightshirt, then described the cotton feel of it, so I could form a picture of it in my mind... although it felt a bit creepy partaking in feeling up a dead man’s intimates.

While this would have worked best as a TV documentary, the audio format was mostly great, entertaining, and informative.

cleverly done in the modern style

it wasn't a dry biography done in a complete birth to death fashion. It does start from the beginning but it skips around enough a to lump some subject matter together. I only wish it didn't end with his death. A few more mlm about his family or his lasting influence would have been a nicer ending.
I liked the book and am going to see what other biographies Hawksley has done.

A good biographical look at AC Doyle

I enjoyed learning about the man who was the mastermind of Sherlock Holmes and many other works.

Pretty good for free

If you can get this for free, there are worse ways to spend 2 hours. It's informative and wide reaching, although unsurprisingly shallow. Good narration and historical audio clips.

Not as interesting as Sherlock

This certainly had some interesting moments in the second half. It was not nearly as interesting as a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle work. However, I learned some interesting things and as a result will read The Lost World.

The man behind Sherlock

I just started listening to the Holmes stories when this free offering came along. it really added to my enjoyment of his fiction.

Very BBC

There is much to tell about the life of the famed author, so holding up an inkwell for a listening audience takes time away from the story itself. that said, the story is fascinating and I would have liked more.

Interesting, 3.5

While this was interesting I wish it had delved a little deeper into the facts. Also it could at times be repetitive. Overall, a nice choice for the AO.