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The Two of Us

My Life with John Thaw

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The Two of Us

By: Sheila Hancock
Narrated by: Sheila Hancock
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents The Two of Us written and read by Sheila Hancock.

When John Thaw, star of The Sweeney and Inspector Morse, died from cancer in 2002, a nation lost one of its finest actors and Sheila Hancock lost a beloved husband. In this unique double biography she chronicles their lives – personal and professional, together and apart.
John Thaw was born in Manchester, the son of a lorry driver.

When he arrived at RADA on a scholarship he felt an outsider. In fact his timing was perfect: it was the sixties and television was beginning to make its mark. With his roles in Z-Cars and The Sweeney, fame came quickly. But it was John's role as Morse that made him an icon.

In 1974 he married Sheila Hancock, with whom he shared a working-class background and a RADA education. Sheila was already the star of the TV series The Rag Trade and went on to become the first woman artistic director at the RSC. Theirs was a sometimes turbulent, always passionate relationship, and in this remarkable book Sheila describes their love – weathering overwork and the pressures of celebrity, drink and cancer – with honesty and piercing intelligence, and evokes two lives lived to the utmost.

©2004 Sheila Hancock (P)2005 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Funny Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Really enjoyed this book, it was so nice to hear it in her own voice, and lovely the way she changed her voice when it was the "present day" parts, you could hear the emotion. Might have been different to read rather than listen, who knows, but a beautifuly written story of a wonderful love affair, and the grief of loosing someone so adored.

Very good read

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I liked the style of writing. a good balance between poignancy and dry humour. Effectively reflective

poignancy and humour masterfully balanced

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I thoroughly enjoyed this bittersweet account of Sheila's life with John Thaw. She is such an honest woman who put so much of herself into the writing that I felt I knew her after I listened to it. So much enhanced by her own telling of the tale of their life together. I'm looking forward to listening to her next instalment, \"Just Me\", which promises to be another rollercoaster. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the psyche of a very private man.

sensitive, poignant , funny and revealing.

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Great story Sheila tells it well john was a great actor very versatile well worth a listen they should have been honoured john should have had a knighthood

Lovely couple

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This was a real insight into the private relationship between two people who clearly adored each other even though they had their share of ups and downs. It shows that with patience and by brutally looking inside themselves how they overcame the difficulties which can be present in any marriage. Two artistic people at the top of their profession. You feel like writing to the author to say 'well done' but you wouldn't want to intrude on her. I loved this book.

The Two of Us

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