Review: Greg Doran's 'Walking Shadow' Explores Grief and Shakespeare
Greg Doran’s book, Walking Shadow, is a poignant dual narrative exploring grief, love, and the enduring legacy of William Shakespeare. The first section features The Dying Diaries of his husband, acclaimed actor Antony Sher, written during the final six months of his life before succumbing to liver cancer in December 2021. Sher’s entries display remarkable candor, resilience, and wit as he confronts his mortality. The second, larger part documents Doran’s personal journey following Sher’s death. As the former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Doran embarks on an obsessive quest to view as many extant copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio as possible. This global travels serves as a coping mechanism for survival and displacement activity. Through anecdotes, such as the near-loss of the RSC’s copy to the Vatican, Doran intertwines literary history with personal reflection. The book ultimately stands as a moving testament to their thirty-five-year partnership, illustrating how engaging with Shakespeare’s work provided healing and a renewed purpose for Doran amidst profound loss.
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Review: Greg Doran's 'Walking Shadow' Explores Grief and Shakespeare
Greg Doran’s book, Walking Shadow, is a poignant dual narrative exploring grief, love, and the enduring legacy of William Shakespeare. The first section features The Dying Diaries of his husband, acclaimed actor Antony Sher, written during the final six months of his life before succumbing to liver cancer in December 2021. Sher’s entries display remarkable candor, resilience, and wit as he confronts his mortality. The second, larger part documents Doran’s personal journey following Sher’s death. As the former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Doran embarks on an obsessive quest to view as many extant copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio as possible. This global travels serves as a coping mechanism for survival and displacement activity. Through anecdotes, such as the near-loss of the RSC’s copy to the Vatican, Doran intertwines literary history with personal reflection. The book ultimately stands as a moving testament to their thirty-five-year partnership, illustrating how engaging with Shakespeare’s work provided healing and a renewed purpose for Doran amidst profound loss.
The Guardian