THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY
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Written in 1949,this now classic biography,is a must for every Conan Doyle fan. More than 50 years after its publication,it still remains a treasure trove for all the Sherlockians. To the modern readers Carr's technique of introducing long imaginary dialogues in between the narrative passages may seem a bit artificial but Carr himself asserts that it is not imagined. He says--
"When Conan Doyle speaks , he speaks in his own words out of letters ,notebook,diary,authenticated press-cutting or letter about him."
Also he mentions that the life he writes is extra-ordinary and romantic. So, the treatment is also. He affirms --
"This is a story of adventure, sometimes even of melodrama. To paint in dull colours, to check the gallop ,would be to misrepresent the man himself. But please do not imagine that it is novelized biography."
The book became an instant success and still continues to run. It is a very faithful representation of Doyle's life. Dickson Carr himself was a gifted artist and co-authored the "Exploits of sherlock holmes" with Adrian conan doyle.this was his way of paying tribute to conan doyle.
As a pioneering work it is superb and the book itself is very good to read.However,the modern biography TELLER OF TALES by DANIEL STASHOWER is a much more advanced work as it had the perspective of looking back after seventy years to the whole episode.still,fans of conan doyle SHOULD read the book .Remember,this is the only biography priviledged to have a full look at the family archives(the details of which is given at the back of the book).
I have given it 4 stars because some aspects of Doyle's colourful life goes unmentioned here.the bittersweet relationship with Houdini,for example.Also the spiritualistic crusade,which in my opinion was the crucial point in his life,is treated hastily here.
Faults notwithstanding,introduced by daniel stashower and containing some rare photos,this heritage biography is a classic collection.Except Teller of Tales,it is the most sympathetic and engaging of all DOYLE biographies.RECOMMENDED!
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Conan Doyle by Dickson Carr
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This is the first and classic biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle written in 1949 by the American John Dickson Carr who was also a highly successful writer of detective stories and books. Carr had unique access to extensive biographical sources supplied by Conan Doyle's family and friends. Carr's prose brings to life the essence of Conan Doyle, his family, his writings, and his, often controversial, views.
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