“A Study in Scarlet” and my biography plans

“A Study in Scarlet”

I am giving myself the treat today of re-reading “A Study in Scarlet”. This novel may have some objectionable features re. the portrayal of Mormon culture (though, as far as I am informed, A.C. Doyle later has had some kind of more or less reconciliation with them on that account).

Anyway, as the novel describes the very first encounter between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (though some stort stories had already been published), it is a treasure of information regarding the character and behaviour of Holmes. One can actually sit back and imagine JB studying the text to create his portrayal of Holmes – who, needless to say, for me will always display the features of Jeremy Brett’s face.

A biography of Jeremy Brett

I’ve mentioned it in my yesterday’s post: The most exciting plan for me is my working on a decent and hopefully quite objective biography of our favourite, Jeremy.  I am really excited about this, that’s for sure.

I think it has been last week, when I formed that decision, but when the idea first came to my mind, I can not say…

There are quite a few very good websites about him, containing interviews, photos etc. I especially recommend the “Jeremy Brett Archive”, by the way. But it soon has occured to me… as my research about him has started years after his death and the internet being not always a completely reliable source… to get a picture of his “person” is like putting together a puzzle. If you want to find out something you have to sort bits and pieces, and you often are confronted with third- or fourthhand information and rather opinions than facts. The man JB seems to be such an emotional issue for many people (me including)…

Also, there seems to be not so much comprehensive literature on the market, and some items already out of stock. I have been recommended “Bending the willow”, and I hope I will get an issue. “The Man who became Sherlock Holmes” has gotten a bunch of crushing reviews about being very speculative, so I think I will have to read it someday, but it is clearly not top of my list.

There is Linda Pritchard’s book “Jeremy Brett – Linda Pritchard Story”. I assume it is a kind of MUST to read it, but it is extremely expensive (assumably collector’s item). Linda is the woman JB has lived with during the last years of his life and who has tended him while he was suffering bodily as well as mentally; I think it is appropriate to call her his close “friend” and “companion”, (the nature of their relation is a bit unclear to me, but these expressions do surely fit).

When I found out about this book and this woman, I got naturally quite intrigued and wanted to know more about it. Within youtube there is a user who knows her personally and has obviously a very high opinion of her.  I got into contact with this lady, when within a forum discussion a few days ago I had wondered rather innocently, how objective a book about Jeremy Brett written by Linda Pritchard could be…

The reason I had asked this was that I know about the “dark episodes” , when one sometimes puts a strain not only on oneself but also on his surroundings. I have a great admiration, gratitude and respect for the people, who really love the sick ones, try to understand them, soothe them, cheer them up, support them and STAND BY THEM. Because those sick ones are in a desperate need of such people. Anyway, thus I must assume that Linda knew such situations, and that had been the reason for my question regarding her objectivity. When under such circumstances someone is able to write about this living together with so much love and in such an amiable light as Linda has done regarding JB, this means quite a lot.

Lindas friend at first got a little irritated by my ever so slight scepticism (this is something I just can not help, sometimes) and told me about the controversial discussion that’s raging within the fandom about Linda. We’ve later corresponded privately (her friend and I), and I’ve found her quite amiable - and that is definitively not only because she is kindly sharing much Jeremy Brett material (as I understand, at least part of it provided by Linda Pritchard) with her fellow JB fans.

So, after having explained the background of my question to her, I had started a research on those controversial dicussions… and there is quite a lot to find, often very emotional, often speculative, not very often objective… I have not formed an own opinion, yet, I assume it won’t do until I have read her book and learned more about her.

To quote a little Holmes/Doyle:

“No data yet,” he answered. “It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgement.”

My research has taught me something and reminded me of something I had been taught at university, especially when it comes to research on the internet:

In order to assess the information, always be aware of the sources.

I think, this experience has become the cornerstone for my decision to collect all information and work it over again, in order to get a decent biography , based rather on FACTS than on opinions, not exploiting him, not getting famous by it, not digging in the dirt.

I am serious! I think, theoretically, I have the skills. I definetely have the wish. I would want to do it on non profit basis (hopefully getting expenses refunded) in favour of one of the organisations JB has been supporting.

This will be a really long journey, because it will not only afford to read and collect almost everything that has been written re. that issue – but to actually try to get people to TALK with me.

This will include firsthand sources… how I would love to talk with JB’s son David Huggins, with Edward Hardwicke and, of course, Linda Pritchard!!

But at this point of my work I do not really dare to reach out that far. (Though, maybe in my intended letter to Edward Hardwicke I will at least hint in that direction.)

I mean, if I want people to cooperate with me, I will need to give them a very good reason, right?

I have started to spread the word re. my plans and have gotten first responses, too.

Somehow, I suddenly have started to do detective’s work, myself.

Well, I will keep you updated…