Man of contradictions

Sep 26 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SIR Arthur Conan Doyle’s name is now recognised the world over, but for decades he was overshadowed by his creation, Sherlock Holmes.

He was a man of contradictions, all explored in full in this fascinating biography. He was romantic, idealistic and upstanding, selfish and foolhardy. He was fascinated by scientific data, but was obsessed by the supernatural. He was a loving husband and yet carried on an affair with a younger woman while his wife lay dying.

This is a massive work and Lycett has gathered much new material to produce a comprehensive, lucid and sympathetic portrait of a larger-than-life character.