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'A Life in Letters' details Sherlock Holmes, the man that never was
 | | "Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters" by Jon Lellenberg, Daniel Stashower and Charles Foley (The Penguin Press, $37.95) Reviewed by Larry Cox |
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Called "the world's most famous man who never was" by Orson Welles, Sherlock Holmes is one of the best known and most culturally significant literary characters ever written.
Although the fictional detective is famous throughout the world, less is known about the life of his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A new annotated collection of Doyle's previously unpublished private papers and letters will make him much more accessible.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he studied medicine. After an incomplete medical degree and an impromptu trip to the Arctic, he turned to writing. His first book, "A Study in Scarlet," was published in 1887 and introduced the superobservant master detective, Sherlock Holmes. Doyle eventually would be knighted for his literary work.
Doyle's letters and documents, which span some 54 years, are fascinating and contain even more twists and turns than his novels. For example, he longed for another woman while his wife lay dying of tuberculosis, he didn't handle criticism of his work well, and he was so annoyed by the fame of Holmes that he decided to kill the character off.
Perhaps most intriguing of all, Doyle considered Sherlock Holmes to be one of his lesser achievements.
Doyle explored many pursuits. He became a Boer War army doctor, a real-life investigator, a champion of divorce reform, a World War I correspondent and a prominent spiritualist. His letters and papers reveal a man whose exploits rival even those of his fictional character.
This is a must-have collection for all Sherlock Holmes fans, or for anyone just interested in a fascinating life story.
Books reviewed in this column are available online or at your local bookstore.
(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.
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