Sherlock Holmes Double Feature
At the end of May I read two interesting books at the same time:
It was incredibly fascinating to read two different takes on Sherlock Holmes simultaneously: Vintage Holmes,
Both stories were very interesting. Conan-Doyle spun a tale that made the detective delve into spiritual superstitions in order to rid a family of a curse. Without wanting to spoil the plot let me just say that Scooby Doo learned a lot from Conan-Doyle :)
King's tale was more interesting. Her books focus both on Sherlock and his young wife, the superb Mary Russell. The two of them are embarking on the search for Holmes's son's wife and daughter. This book is one of the best I've read in this series (of which I own most all) and I loved, again, the relationship between the two of them. I highly recommend this series. A faithful recreation of Holmes in all his splendor (without the misogyny) and Mary who is the only woman who is intelligent enough to match wits with him. It was lovely to read them at the same time, comparing and contrasting and delighting in the stories. I also think that Sherlock and Mycroft would be two great Dog names. Might have to remember that.
Comments
The misogyny and comments on the lower classes are par for the course in 1887; Doyle actually got in trouble from some of his contemporaries for showing the underclass in a good light. For comparison, see Twain's use of "the n-word" in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Dickens' portrayal of prostitutes and thieves in Oliver Twist, and Steinbeck's comments on the races in The Harvest Gypsies.
John