The Game's Afoot

Ever since I was a kid, I had an interest in Sherlock Holmes. The problem was that every time I got one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books from the library, my boyish mind couldn't handle the armchair intrigue and teatime discussions of the novels.

Fast forward to 2009, when, yes, the new Sherlock Holmes movie came out, and I decided to give Doyle another go. (One of the things the movie got right was Holmes's dialogue. Why isn't 'discombobulate' used more often in our stagnant culture?) So, I read "A Study in Scarlett." I don't know if it was the whole Morman angle or what, but I wasn't really thrilled with the story. Oh, I remember now. Our Hero, the esteemed Sherlock Holmes, disappears one night and comes back with all of the answers, leaving him to explain to Watson, and you dear reader, in his usually condescending way.

Again fast forwarding, again to another Sherlock Holmes movie, and here I am, reading "The Sign of Four." And I was enjoying it immensely until someone was murdered. Then, watch and be amazed as Sherlock makes astounding leaps of deduction, disappears without telling Watson, and reappearing announcing he's figured everything out. (Sigh.)

It's a little frustrating to keep the reader (and Watson) out of the adventure. Watson is not incompetent, but he's never given a chance to help solve the mystery and neither is the reader. We are all there just to bask in the glory of Holmes.

Still, "Sign of Four" is big improvement on "Study of Scarlett." I hope to read "Scandal in Bohemia" before 2013.

Little tidbits about Mister Holmes:

- I'm surprised that the movies don't mention Holmes's "seven percent solution." Also, while Doyle hints at Holmes's mastery of fencing and boxing, there are, sadly, no extended fight scenes in the novels. Sorry. (Though there is the occasional chase down the Thames.)

- The lovely Kate Beaton has written a few comics on the depiction of faithful Dr. Watson. While the novels never goes into too much physically description, that I've noticed anyway, one can assume that Watson is no Pudgy McRoundbottom nor is he Jude Law. (Ditto for Holmes.)

- In "Sign", Holmes stated that love was a distraction along with about every other emotion. Say goodbye to all those Holmes/Watson fanfics.