Reviews for The Life of Henry Fielding

The average rating for The Life of Henry Fielding based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-12-31 00:00:00 Troy Buchanan I found this a fascinating book of a fascinating man. I was amazed at the number and variety of things Doyle had a hand in- studied and practiced medicine, went on a whaling expedition, helped popularize skiing, championed justice for those the law falsely condemned, ran for politics (even sharing the floor with Winston Churchill at one meeting), was a war correspondent, tried to get enlisted in every war in his lifetime including WWI when he was 50 years old, started his own militia, was a playwright, wrote historical fiction and military history, was one of the first people in England to drive a car or to get a speeding ticket, had interesting friends from Houdini to Oscar Wilde. And, of course, most bizzare of all, his never-ending crusade to convince people that you could contact the dead and that fairies were real. Just reading about his life teaches you so much of the history of the times because he was involved in whatever was going on. He also comes across as a very likable person. I certainly didn't agree with everything nor like everything about him, but found his story more fascinating, with more twists and turns, than any adventure of Sherlock Holmes, whom, by the way, he resented. He wanted to be known for high literature, not some cheap detective stories. At one point he killed Sherlock Holmes off saying it was "justifiable homicide" because if he hadn't killed Sherlock, Sherlock would have killed him! I listened to this book on tape and the narrator did a great job with the voices. I was sad when it was over though I did learn more about spiritualism than I ever cared to know and could have done with a bit less of that, but I thought it was handled well and it was crucial to really knowing this man, so I can't complain.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-09-09 00:00:00 Frederick Menkello This was exactly what I was looking for, a comprehensive biography of Arthur Conan Doyle that put his writings in a larger personal context. Stashower's style is accessible and straightforward (though better documentation would've been preferable), and I appreciated the numerous quotes that allowed the individuals to speak for themselves. Stashower makes no apologies for Doyle, but he tries to remain balanced, even sympathetic, even in the most trying of circumstances (Doyle's crusade for Spiritualism and interlude with the Fairies, for example). The portrait that emerges is a fascinating one of a man who somehow managed to be an exemplar of his time while also at times either looking well beyond it or lagging far behind it. Conan Doyle's sense of chivalry, desire for a cause to champion, and love/hate relationship with his creation Sherlock Holmes receive in-depth treatment, as do the many luminaries with whom Conan Doyle had lasting relationships (from J.M. Barrie to George Bernard Shaw to Harry Houdini). An analysis of Conan Doyle's autobiographical and semi-autobiographical writings, including fiction, round out the biography. This book won the 1999 Edgar (Allan Poe) Award for Best Biographical Work, and it's easy to see why. It's not a perfect study, but I'm definitely glad I read it, and I know it will inform my future readings of Conan Doyle's works in a very helpful way.