Two of Us: My Life with John Thaw - 21 Great Bloomsbury Reads for the 21st Century (21st Birthday Celebratory Edn)

This is a wonderful book and that is entirely due to the quality that Sheila Hancock has brought to it. From its conception as a biography of two people (or is that two biographies?) to its conclusion as a memoir of a difficult but loving relationship and the challenge of coping with loss (and Hancock has lost two husbands under the same circumstances) this book rises well above the level of celebrity biography to be a real affirmation of life. Packed with reminiscences of life in the entertainment industry, with dozens of characters encountered en-route, and well-chosen photos to supplement the delicately constructed narrative, this book is a candid account of the lives of two of Britain's finest actors. Beyond that, it is a book of courage and fortitude.

Touching (2/4 people found this helpful)

If you have a heart this book will make you cry. Very touchingly Sheila Hancock tells the story of two people who were destined for each other just took their time to find each other. The story is made only more poignant by all the ups and downs they went through together knowing that not being together is not an option. Thaw is revealed as a very complex person both as a man and as an actor. Hancock tends to be too modest about herself that's the only flaw I can detect in this book. Her reading the love story of her life is almost heartbreaking. The book is also very well composed in terms of starting with a description of their separate lives juxtaposed by Thaw's dying and then merging into one stream of narration. But be warned: this is not sentimentality, this is about real emotions and there is no happy end.

A Moving Story of Two Actors (42/43 people found this helpful)

I didnt really know what to expect when I started to read this double biography of Sheila Hancock and her husband John Thaw. At the end, I had to admit to myself that I had just read one of the best, most moving biographies in many years. Sheila tells her story of not only her life in the acting profession, but also that of her husband John who is now acknowledged as one of the most popular actors of his generation. She certainly pulls no punches; detailing her slow rise to fame as an actress herself, making her name in the long running comedy show "The Rag Trade". Her first marriage to Alec who died tragically young from cancer, the same cancer which was to kill her second husband John, and the long and difficult years during the late 1980s and 1990s when she fought to keep her marriage together despite John Thaw's battle with alcoholism, (which he eventually won) and his constant depressions. It is not just a story about success in their lives together taking into account the long running ever popular Inspector Morse, and eventually Kavanagh QC, but also a story of tragedy as Sheila lost family and friends through illnesses culminating in the death of her husband John during February 2002. Then she had to adjust her life living through lonliness depsite her family and loyal friends, but as she herself explained in this remarkable book, her life would always feel empty after losing her beloved John.

Those readers who enjoy a good biography should read this. Its profoundly moving at times, full of laughs, sadness, joys, triumphs and tragedy. A human story about two actors who loved each other deeply and are much admired even today with constant reruns of Morse, Kavanagh QC, and Sheila of course, still acts today much to the joy of her many fans and admirers.

My first biography. (10/11 people found this helpful)

I'm still young, so I'm the first to admit that I haven't quite honed my taste in literature, yet, but I did strongly believe that I was not a fan of biography. That is, until I picked up this book. I'd been a fan of John Thaw's since early childhood and had recently come to admire Sheila Hancock more and more, so it's unsurprising that the author and subject matter of "The Two of Us" appealed to me, but I still had my doubts given the genre. I needn't have had. This book was gripping, welcoming and honest. I'd like to be able to say that by the end you feel closer to this well-known family, but it is still from a distance. Sheila Hancock has managed the feat of welcoming readers into the stories of her past and her family, without making them feel as if they had a claim to them. Whilst doing this, however, she has caused my admiration of her to increase yet further. This book is definitely on my 'favourites' list.

Marvellous insight - highly readable and absorbing (5/7 people found this helpful)

Very well written biography / auto-biography mixing between past events and a contemporary diary of Sheila's thoughts as Thaw's illness was diagnosed and his stalwart reaction, through his treatment and after his untimely death. I found it compelling reading and snatched time to read and progress as and when time allowed.
She is a strong character and obviously so was John Thaw. We all know of the Reagan, Morse, and Kavanagh QC characters but she sheds good light on the reality behind the real JohnThaw - 'warts an' all'. As she also mentions in her book - between them they knew all of the good actors alive in their time so as a result the story is peppered with fascinating vignettes and insights of their actor friends and acquaintences. Highly Recommended.

Two of Us: My Life with John Thaw - 21 Great Bloomsbury Reads for the 21st Century (21st Birthday Celebratory Edn)

Sheila Hancock

Reader Reviews:

Wonderful (0/0 people found this helpful)

Touching (2/4 people found this helpful)

A Moving Story of Two Actors (42/43 people found this helpful)

My first biography. (10/11 people found this helpful)

Marvellous insight - highly readable and absorbing (5/7 people found this helpful)

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