Customer Reviews

The Man Who Became Sherlock Holmes: The Tortured Mind of Jeremy Brett

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The author of this book has taken a few facts in Jeremy Brett's life, and has let his imagination soar -- not good to do when writing a biograghy. Manner's depiction of Brett is inaccurate, misleading, and insulting. Not for someone who wants the real story behind the Holmesian actor. I recommend "Bending the Willow" by David Stuart Davies as a truer telling of Brett's story.

If only I could rate this book less than one star ... very disappointing to anyone who is interested in learning more about Jeremy Brett. I put this book down before I half finished it, and feel he has been dishonored.

Jeremy Brett was a brilliant actor and the best Sherlock Holmes ever, in my opinion. Knowing little of Mr. Brett other than his Holmes role and some films like "My Fair Lady", in which he played Freddy, there was much of interest here, from his childhood and youth, life as a young actor and with his wife and son, and his lifelong struggle with manic-depression and his own bisexuality. About half the book deals with his Holmes-era life and his love/hate relationship with the role that made him most famous. Well recommended for fans of Mr. Brett and Holmes afficionados.

An awful "biography" by and awful "author". This man wrote this biography to cash in on the death of Brett when it was originally released in 1997. The writer even admits that most if not all of Bretts friends and family refused to even speak with him, and those that did remain unnamed. There is no effort put into the research necessary, or the writing. It's evident from the number of easily checked factual errors. The author even goes as far as to describe Brett's death from Brett's "point of view." This is not how a biography should read.

The book arrived promptly and in good condition. I'm reading it now and enjoying it very much. However, there was a problem with this copy that I was not made aware of. Maybe the seller wasn't aware of it either. There are two sets of photos in the book and they are duplicates. The list of "illustrations" in the front of the book indicates that this copy has only the second half of the photos that were supposed to be included. The first half, which includes Brett's childhood. is missing. I wrote to the seller and requested either a different copy of the book or a partial refund of the cost. I received an answer saying they are refunding part of the cost. Since I paid with a credit card I'm assuming that refund will appear as a credit on my next bill, which I haven't received yet. If it does I'm happy. If it doesn't I'll complain.

I read this book from the beginning to the end, though I hated it. It's a perfect example of what must not be done. A real biographer always says where he found his informations. Thery Manners'so-called "informations", come out of the blue. He never prooves what he says, and what he dares say is often shocking. Yet, Jeremy Brett devotees must read this book as a document about gossip , slander, and the way the actor they admire and love was treated by some media. To get Jeremy Brett honoured as he deserved, go to facebook: "posthumous BAFTA for Jeremy Brett".

You get an insight into Jeremy's character and exactly why his Sherlock Holmes is brilliant. I have often wondered why he wasn't as big a star as his English counterparts, certainly the talent was there. This book is heart-warming and gut-wretching.
It will keep you captivated. A good read.

A sad but thrilling tale of one of the most brilliant actors of his day