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  • The Two of Us

  • My Life with John Thaw
  • By: Sheila Hancock
  • Narrated by: Sheila Hancock
  • Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (160 ratings)
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The Two of Us cover art

The Two of Us

By: Sheila Hancock
Narrated by: Sheila Hancock
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Summary

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

Critic reviews

"Constructed with considerable skill....A book of exceptional emotional candour." ( Sunday Telegraph)
"An impressive and affecting work of art." ( Spectator)

What listeners say about The Two of Us

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Rewarding & Poignant

A refreshing and moving love story. Simply lovely tale of two individuals who are bound together by destiny. Written by a lady who must have loved this man with passion, but who still held firmly onto her own personality. Inspirational insight into the life of John Thaw & Shelia Hancock while maintaining privacy.

My first audio book which will lead me to discover many more I am sure.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Two of Us

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.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Wonderful Story

This moving and honest account of two remarkable lives was gripping from beginning to end. A real love story that was delightful to listen to.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written and exquisitely read

Sheila Hancock certainly has a way with words. This is a beautifully written, exquisitely read book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her next book will be my next read.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Thank you

For sharing this insight into grief . Delivered well despite the difficulty that must be overwhelming.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Tender & Thoughtful

I'm thankful to Sheila for sharing her thoughts in this book and wish to honour her for writing it. The only quibble I have is none of her making, but after giving quoting Nicholas Evans' exquisite words: "Be still. Close your eyes. Breathe. Listen for my footfall in you heart. I am not gone, but merely walk within you" .... WITHOUT A BREAK a loud jarring male voice announces 'Audible hopes you....' Talk about ruining an ending!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a beautiful love story

Sheila has opened her heart warts and all the ups and downs of a beautiful love story lovingly read

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good read

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

C’est le plus même

There is my story too within this story that is the most beautiful thing I have read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Legends

I could listen to Shelia all day, loved the book, and love them both ❤️

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