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The Real Sherlock

By: Lucinda Hawksley
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  • 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?

    Arthur 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.

    This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 6 episodes to your Library now.
    ©2019 Audible, Ltd. (P)2019 Audible, Ltd.
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: The Early Years

    Ep. 1: The Early Years
    Feb 28 2019

    Creator of the most portrayed fictional character of all time, we embark on the story of author Arthur Conan Doyle, whose own life was often stranger than fiction. We discover how Conan Doyle’s years in medical school would inspire some of his most renowned characters and his origins as storyteller.
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    21 mins
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  • Ep. 2: Love is the Best Medicine

    Ep. 2: Love is the Best Medicine
    Feb 28 2019

    Taking a break from his medical studies, Conan Doyle sets sail on the international adventure that would shape him into a man, despite nearly threatening his life. On his return, his first medical practice’s lack of patients would fuel his gift of writing.
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    24 mins
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  • Ep. 3: Success for Sherlock at Last

    Ep. 3: Success for Sherlock at Last
    Feb 28 2019

    Conan Doyle’s inventive mind gives birth to one of Britain’s most-loved characters, Sherlock Holmes. Though the detectives debut slips under the radar at first, Conan Doyle’s following works are quickly pursued with success and acclaim as he travels to Paris and Vienna.
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    25 mins
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What listeners say about The Real Sherlock

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Profile Image for Trudy

Very informative

I found this to be really interesting and full of things I did not know such as Jurassic Park stemmed from a story by Arthur Conan Doyle called The Lost World. I liked how there were interviews by various relatives, some original Arthur Conan Doyle interviews, etc. That really added to the story to make it fuller.

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Profile Image for Gilbert M. Stack

Quick and Informative

This is a quick and informative biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. What I liked most about it was the biographer’s decision to delve into Doyle’s Professor Challenger character and not just the more famous Sherlock Holmes. A significant amount of time is also spent on Doyle’s obsession with spiritualism—something that often surprises people who expect Doyle to be more like his character Sherlock. If you’re looking for a very quick look at a famous author’s life, this is an enjoyable one.

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Profile Image for Admiralu

A Nice Documentary

This was one of the better Audible Originals. A biography of the famous author done in an interesting format. The narrator talks with actual family members who share stories inter-sped with the story of his life, works and friends. The highlight of course is the creation of Sherlock Holmes, his inspiration and struggle to get his tales published. Actors read selected highlights of his works at appropriate times as well as highlights from his extensive diaries. Entertaining, a nice overview of his life. The actor reading his works, Charles Edwards, wasn't my favorite, his reading didn't really make the work stand out for me. That is difficult, since after seeing Benedict Cumberbach and Martin Freeman.

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Profile Image for Steph

Educational!

I learned a lot from this podcast. There were some things that were lost in an audio format because they were visual (like when family members showed items that Arthur owned, or the infamous forged fairies photograph), but otherwise it was educational.

I didn't know ACD's story The Lost World was the inspiration for Jurassic Park! I should put that on my TBR.

4 out of 5 Deductions.

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