Thread: Sherlock Holmes

This isn't technically for something that I'm writing, but I need to know about Sherlock Holmes. I'm role-playing as Holmes and need to know his appearance, sayings, mannerisms, etc. So if anybody has read those mysteries or knows about him I could really use some advice and suggestions.

I haven't read any but they are available on line. here's my favorite on-line reading place for literature http://www.bibliomania.com

http://www.sherlockian.net/

This should help . . . .

Sherlock Holmes is the worlds most famous and recognized fictional detective. He solved numerous seemingly unsolvable mysteries, sometimes within minutes of receiving the case.
Sherlock Holmes is not only the 'greatest detective of all time' but also the world's most famous literary character. Sherlock Holmes first appeared in A Study in Scarlet published in the Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887.
Sherlock Holmes remains a great inspiration for forensic science, especially for the way his acute study of a crime scene yields small clues as to the precise sequence of events. He makes great use of trace evidence. Such evidence is used to test theories conceived by the police. All of the techniques advocated by Holmes would later become reality.
The first Sherlock Holmes film was produced in 1900. In 1939 the novels were developed as a series of films staring Basil Rathbone, establishing the trademark deerstalker, pipe & spyglass as a global visual icon.
'Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective that never lived and who will never die'.

Read Watson's introductions to as many of the stories as you can. It's in the introductions that you'll find all the information about Holmes you need. Pay special attention to the introduction to 'A Study in Scarlet'. I often flip through my 'Complete Sherlock Holmes' and read just the introductions. Some of them, such as the introduction to 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', are especially good. That one I could almost write out word for word. The story itself is one of the best.

Another source for all of Holmes is gutenberg.org.

The BBC recently did a modern adaption (which, I've got to say, was fantasticly done) of it, you might be able to catch an episode on youtube or something and use that.

I have read a Holmes book -albeit awhile ago. Somethings that I can remember off the top of my head:

He doesn't actually say "Elementary, my dear Watson" in the book.
He has a pipe.
When a mystery turns dangerous he carries a gun.
He would often wear disguises.

Read the actual Holmes' stories. Too many people read too much about Holmes without ever reading the original stories.

There was no 'book' originally. The stories were published in the 'Strand' magazine and the longer stories were serialised.

The expression 'elementary, my dear Watson' originated in a play adaptation of the Holmes character.

Holmes smoked both a pipe and cigarettes, mostly preferring the pipe when in repose, and cigarettes when on the move.

Rarely did Holmes go armed. He relied on Watson to carry a revolver on many occasions, and on the official police for backup when needed.

Holmes was a master not only of disguise but also of acting. He had the actor's gift of becoming the part he wanted to play. If he wanted to pass as an old man, he became an old man, and little make-up or costume was needed.

Go read the stories themselves. They are all available in several places on the Internet and in inexpensive printed copies. You can buy reprints of the original 'Strand' issues which include illustrations which were approved by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Begin with 'A Study in Scarlet', the first Holmes story which sets the background for all the stories that follow.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/244/244.txt

Once you have met the real Sherlock Holmes you'll not want to hear anything about 'adaptations'.

I would agree with gaza, they are good stories, well written and as easy to read as you want them to be. If you wish you can flip through them and they will give you a few afternoons entertainment, on the other hand after reading them a number of times one discovers more depth in the way they are plotted and written. This is not just a thing of us being a pair of old geezers either, they are not of our time, they were old when we were boys.

They are excellent examples of the way short stories ought to be written. They were immensely popular at the time they were first published and have held their place in fiction over the years. And yes, the more you read them, the more depth you see in the plotting and the more detail you notice in the telling.

Check out Moffat and Gatiss' BBC adaptation, especially if you want to see some of the most brilliant writing for television going on at the moment. The first 90 minute episode, "A Study In Pink" deserves careful study with a pause button and a notebook. It's a masterclass in teleplay writing.

It's also just incredibly damn good as well. Pure enjoyment.

I've no tv. The original stories are quite good enough, thank you.

Originally Posted by garza

I've no tv. The original stories are quite good enough, thank you.

How wonderful for you.

Thank you. I agree.

My question about 'adaptations' always is this. If the writer is so good, why dosen't he produce his own original material? Arthur Conan Doyle didn't imitate anyone. The Sherlock Holmes stories are original. Any 'adaptation' is bound to be second-best to the original. Years from now the Sherlock Holmes stories will still be read, and all the 'adaptations' will have been forgotten.

I dunno, garza. The TV and film adaptations of anything are just taking the story and delivering it in another medium.
As we writers are constantly told 'There's no such thing as an original story' - So why not take one that really worked and share it with as many as possible, in whatever form.

Originally Posted by garza

Thank you. I agree.

I can certainly feel the contentment, radiating from you.

My question about 'adaptations' always is this. If the writer is so good, why dosen't he produce his own original material? Arthur Conan Doyle didn't imitate anyone. The Sherlock Holmes stories are original. Any 'adaptation' is bound to be second-best to the original. Years from now the Sherlock Holmes stories will still be read, and all the 'adaptations' will have been forgotten.

Many reasons. A desire to see the stories brought into a modern context, the challenge of doing so while retaining the central aspects of the work. Introducing the stories to a generation of children who simply will not read about Victorian people doing Victorian things. The simple desire to tap into the power that made those stories classics in the first place.

As for the superiority of the originals? That's your opinion. I find the originals boring, dated, historical pieces that do not interest me. I've tried to get into them dozens of times and failed. Not quite sure what the problem is, as I enjoy other works from that period, and even some of Doyle's other work, such as his Lost World stories. I find Moffat and Gattis' version to be fascinating and entertaining, though. Horses for courses.

I sincerely doubt you actually want to discuss this, though. You've made it clear that you won't be watching the show, so you've admitted -- from the very first -- that you will be judging it from a position of ignorance. That's perfectly fine of course. But I see no reason to waste my time on it.

To anyone who reads this and, you know, has a television: check out Sherlock! Great stuff.