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T H E N O RW EG IAN E XPLORERS O F M INNESOTA , I N C . © 2 0 0 8

October 2008 EXPLORATIONS Issue #57

EXPLORATIONSEXPLORATIONS

*** see special notice on page 6 ***

from the president’s desk

It has now been over one year since the July 2010. It is a great way for Sherlockians 2007 Sherlockian Conference, held at the (inexperienced and experienced) to learn, University of Minnesota., Immediately fol- absorb information and observe fellow ad- lowing the conference, we received accolades mirers of . about the quality of our efforts. Since then, Inside this issue: For those who knew Richard Lancelyn at least two of the talks from that conference Green, To Keep the Memory Green , edited by TheInside this Red-Throated issue: League 2 have gone on to be published: Michael Steven Rothman and Nicholas Utechin ( The Explorers on the Move 2, 4 Dirda’s “A Case for Langdale The Red-Throated League 2 Quartering Press, 2007) provides a welcome The Final Adventure 3 Pike” ( Canadian Holmes, Summer 2007) ; and remembrance of a great man. For those who Explorers on the Move 2, 4 Cliff Goldfarb’s “Who wrote the Sherlockian Drama 4 did not have the pleasure of meeting Rich- The Final Adventure 3 ?” (Canadian Holmes, Summer 2008 . Sharing the Figures 5, 11 ard at one of our conferences, this homage Sherlockian Drama 4 These are in addition to Elaine McCafferty’s Canonical Quiz 11,9 gives you a sense of what he meant to the Sharing the Figures 5, 11 summary of the Conference (“Is Langdale Sherlockian world. In one chapter, R Dixon 2008 Awards Notice 6 Pike Off the Hook?”) that appeared in the Canonical Quiz 16, 9 Smith talks about meeting Richard for the Holmes on Film 7,8 Autumn 2007 issue of the Baker Street Jour- first time in St Paul, Minnesota. In another, 2008 Awards Notice 6 nal . The Conference Committee has started Holmes & Thursday Next 9 Andrew Malec reminisces about his time Holmes at the Movies 7 work on the next one for the summer of On the Printed Page 10 P 9 (Continued on page 2) SHolmes Sightings 10-1711 from the editor’s desk

through silent film, radio, 1930s movies or As you peruse the pages of this issue of Masterpiece Theatre, we tend to embrace Explorations, you may see a certain pat- that version that first captured our imagina- tern. Holmes, the master of disguise, tion. Today’s young Explorers find their way appears in many forms. Of late, we find to Baker Street via electronic options: games, him not only on the printed page, but on blogs, e-zines — but they do find their way. stage, via film as well as other incarna- Whatever your era of discovery, we are tions. We share some recent discoveries. pleased that you remain involved in the Consider this reminder of what an inter- Game and a part of the Norwegian Explor- esting conversation ensues when you dis- ers. You are invited to partake of various as Sherlock cuss how you and others first encoun- events noted herein, and encourage you to Holmes circa 1890 tered the Master. A famous hair dresser share your thoughts in Explorations. On that “...we tend to embrace that to the stars once claimed he could tell the note, we welcome Karen Murdock, who chal- version [of Holmes] that first captured our imagination.” year a woman graduated from high lenges us to consider Canonical grammatical school by her hairstyle and makeup. twists and turns. Enjoy these games as well! Similarly, you can often determine the Pj Doyle, ASH decade of one’s birth by how Holmes is first encountered. Be it on the page,

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from the president their modus operandi is to surreptitiously cover (Continued from page 1) the target bag with a large valise, pick it up and with Richard in Minnesota book collecting leave without being noticed. and searching through the University of Min- As with many of these dramas, the plot was nesota’s Sherlock Holmes collections. This not complicated, but the play was enthusiasti- later essay was based on Andrew's talk at the cally produced and presented — including the June 2004 Minnesota conference, “A River visible production of sound effects intended Runs by It.” (See what else you missed by not for a radio audience. These dramas were cre- attending a conference.) ated for an audience not used to sitting at the The Norwegian Explorers Study Group feet of the Master, and, thus (understandably) started up again Saturday, September 20 th , rely largely on sensational elements of his cases. discussing “The Speckled Band.” Where the program departed noticeably, how- The Friends of Collec- ever, was the -ish characterization of tions at the University of Minnesota holds its Watson, who habitually failed to grasp the ob- annual meeting on Monday, October 26 th . vious and, worse yet, myopically dismissed The editor of the 9-volume “The Sherlock Holmes’ deductions as mere lucky guesses. Holmes Reference Library” and the 3-volume Despite these script flaws, the production was “The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes , Mr. Leslie enjoyable because of both realism of a live S. Klinger will in attendance and will be dis- “broadcast” and the enthusiasm of the period- cussing and signing his new book: The Anno- costumed cast. My nephew, Andy, whom I am tated Dracula . Minnesota’s Neil Gaimon has trying to entice in the world of Sherlockiana, contributed an introduction. I am sure Les enjoyed it thoroughly, as did the entire audi- will be happy to sign his Sherlockian books ence. I commend these plays to those of you too. Start researching vampires. who have not yet seen them. -Gary Thaden -Michael B Miller [email protected] or 612-377-2029

“the case of the explorers on the move accommodating valise” STUD Weekend in Chicago O n April 19, the Red-Throated League Julie McKuras reprised her presentation on broadcast its annual production of an Edith Meiser for a rapt audience at the 2008 Edith Meisner radio program of a Sherlock On the Air STUD Dinner and Watsonian Weekend (April Holmes drama. The day was cool and drizzly, 11-13.) Other highlights were the 49th Run- 1930s Style as it often is for these productions, done on ning of Silver Blaze at Hawthorne Race Course, the third Saturday in April each year. a Sherlockian pizza party hosted by the gracious The plays are done in the Pavek Museum of Susan Diamond and Al Devitt, and the Fortes- Braodcasting in St Louis Park, and each pro- cue Honours Brunch. Others in attendance duction re-enacts a radio broadcast for the were Dick Sveum and Pj Doyle. 1930s or 1940s, including commercials (here, Special Note : October 30 to November 1, the sponsor was Clipper Craft Clothes.) 2009, the 50th SILV will be a combined event This year’s program was “The Case of the with the . Watch for Accommodating Valise,” which was not based details and mark you calendars now! on a specific story from the Canon, but of-

fered a few instructive points, nevertheless.

Holmes is asked by a railroad official to solve ASH Spring Dinner the mystery of how travelers coming by train Pj Doyle represented the Norwegian Explor- to London after disembarking from an ocean ers at the Annual Spring Meeting of the Ad- liner, are victims of theft when small luggage venturesses of Sherlock Holmes, held May 31, containing their valuables disappears from the at Bill’s Gay 90s in New York City. platform. He quickly identifies the thieves (a married pair con artists and determined that (continued on page 4)

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Sherlock holmes: the final adventure A play by Steven Dietz—Performed at Park Square Theater, St Paul, May 30-June 22, 2008

W atching this play is a bit like taking a trip Bohemia, and Virginia Burke interpreted the with Alice through the Looking Glass. role of in a capable manner. There are moments when you think you know One could question a few plot devices. It where you are. But as soon as you hear a seems gratuitous and highly unlikely that knock on a door, or watch a wheel in the Step- Holmes would help himself to a seven percent ney Gas Chamber turn, you are somewhere solution on the verge of his greatest confronta- else. The play began and ended with a man tion with Moriarty Again, when loud knocking reading from a newspaper. In the first scene he is heard, Holmes and Watson shrink and cringe told us that Holmes had plunged to his death in by the fireplace, apparently fearing whoever is the company of . At the at the door. That cowering conduct is defi- end, the reader informed us that “there is noth- nitely unbecoming, for this intrepid duo always ing more deceptive than an obvious fact.” Be- faced and never fled any foe. On the other “NNNNothing is more tween the two press releases, a complex hand, the drama possessed a number of fine deceptive than an Holmesian pastiche unfolded, causing, nay, touches. For example, the dressing gown worn requiring the audience to pay close attention. by Holmes was more than impressive. In its obvious fact. ””” Watson, after hearing the initial news, color and tailoring it evoked the garment worn stepped into the familiar setting of 221B and by Gillette, as illustrated in Vanity Fair. led us into the familiar plot of The Final Prob- Holmes aficionados might wish to add such a lem . In the course of events, a loud knock at handsome apparel to their Christmas list. the door. We understandably expected Profes- At one point Watson had a diverting bit of sor Moriarty to enter and confront Holmes. reparteé. While looking for Irene Adler in the Instead, it was the bluff and blustery King of card catalogue, he could not find her among Bohemia who shifted the plot in the direction the As between “Actinium and Adversity” but of Scandal in Bohemia . That intriguing narra- rather under I between “Incandescence and tive played out for awhile; but, unexpectedly, Irritability.” Catalogued by her given name we soon found ourselves immersed in the plot rather than surname is a nice touch. It is also a Sherlock Holmes of William Gillette’s play, . bit of romantic foreshadowing. Later, the roar- However, instead of calling for Alice Faulk- ing spill of Reichenbach with frothing spume ner, Holmes summoned, and got Irene Adler. had an impressive, almost vertiginous effect. To reveal any more of this tightly spun story The impact was muted a bit when a platform would be to was necessarily rolled into the billowing mist. uncover the But, the final confrontation between Holmes spinning and Moriarty was not compromised. mechanism When I first saw this play in Milwaukee two, that carries I expressed hope of seeing it performed lo- Dietz’s cally. The Park Square production, accompa- play along nied by a number of public events, is a wish at a brisk come true. While flawed, the play rockets pace. It is along and satisfies in many ways. By inter- enough to weaving three narratives, Dietz produced a say that delightful stage piece. As a bonus, those who action skipped from Baker Street to the Larra- paid close attention doubtless noticed passing bee’s house (here identified as Briony Lodge.) references from other cases, including, the rose Then it moved to the Stepney Gas Chamber reflection from The Naval Treaty . and later it teetered on a perilous perch at Rei- chenbach Falls. It was a breathtaking ride. The play is a witty, bouncy vehicle that al- lowed us travel London and the continent in The evening I saw the play, early in its run, 1893. The company of old friends and their pacing seemed a bit awkward and the actors nemesis took us on a hazardous but delightful were occasionally unsure of lines. However, journey. And, in the end, we may have learned James Cada, as Moriarty, was a gripping and a life lesson: “nothing is more deceptive than fiendish presence, while Steve Hendrickson an obvious fact.” and Bob Davis credibly performed the roles of the detective and his amanuensis. E J Robert Brusic Subkoviak was properly stuffy as the King of

PageP a g e 444 EXPLORATIONS Explorers on the move more and more (continued from page 2) holmesian drama... Expedition son presents “More than a Washed-Up Has-Been: Textual Aspects of the Holmes to the Country of the Saints Icon.” Sveum will present “Re-Examining a The Baker Street Irregulars hosted a week- Duet with an Occasional Chorus.” end in Salt Lake City over the Labor Day weekend (August 29 to September 1) in honor of Conan Doyle’s visit to Utah in Sherlock ‘s Excellent Adventure 1923. Copies of the papers presented are Word comes from Cory Berkley, of British “On the stage he available in book form, for $21.95 plus Columbia, that the Creekside Theatre in shipping. Contact Mike Homer at Lake Country BC staged James Barry’s pan- was natural, [email protected]. tomime play this spring. Narrated by simple, affecting. Holmes, the drama encourages audience ‘Twas only when participation throughout. At the end of the production, the audience is asked to he was off, he was deduce how the case is to be solved. acting.” Oliver Goldsmith Holmes Inspires Art Festival Winner

Nicholas Willette, created a one-act play, which premiered at the Northern Writes New Play Festival in Bangor. Elementary will be staged on October 15 at the Center Theatre Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. International Mystery Writers’ Festival Edgar Award winner Stuart Kaminsky’s play, The Final Toast , was staged at the June 2008 IMW festival in Kentucky. Kaminsky’s play casts Holmes as detective and target. In addition to Dr Watson, the A Study in Scarlet by George Hutchinson detective enlists the help of an 11-year-old street urchin named Charles Chaplin. Newberry Library in Chicago Julie McKuras has been invited by The William Gillette on YouTube Hounds of the Baskerville to make a pres- You can now enjoy sound clips of Wil- entation ( I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere...) on liam Gillette as Holmes (in 2 parts) on You October 4, as part of a symposium to dis- Tube. Photos and clippings accompany the cuss the Newberry’s Frederick Kittle Collec- audio. Here are the links: tion of Doyleana, and demonstrate that collection’s utility in the study of Doyle and Victorian literature. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=38HgyzMThOw University of Regina—Saskatchewan http://www.youtube.com/watch? Tim Johnson and Dick Sveum will speak v=sfHaVFKSYGE&feature=related at “Re-Examining : An International Symposium” November 7 and 8, at the University of Regina. John-

PageP a g e 555 EXPLORATIONS sharing the figures ear the end of April 2002, I read The (knowing how Sherlockians love quizzes!) will N Hound of the Baskervilles , for perhaps the provide a short quiz, asking you to identify the seventh or eighth time. Near the beginning of story from which examples are drawn. the case, I came across: “ All afternoon and into the I start with a figure that everyone knows (and evening he [Holmes] sat lost in tobacco and that Watson uses masterfully): thought.” As Playful as a Simile This stopped me dead in my reading. As often as I had read HOUN, I had not noticed the Metaphors and similes are probably the best odd phrasing of this line. I was sure that this known figures of speech. A simile is a figure was some sort of figure of speech. But what was of speech in which two essentially unalike it? I HAD to know. It turned out to be some- things (or actions or feelings) are compared, thing called zeugma, which is a construction in usually in a phrase introduced by “like” or “as.” which a word (usually a verb) governs two or In simile, two things are compared and are said more other words but has a different meaning to be alike in some way. Similes give us a men- when applied to each of the words. In the case tal picture of something by comparing it to of “tobacco and thought” the verb “lost” applies something else. This figure is common in both to both words, but in a different way—one sense poetry and prose: is physical, the other metaphorical. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- Sydney Paget This answered my immediate question, but set crites! For you are like whitewashed tombs in motion a train of thought. What other fig- which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and “All afternoon ures of speech appear in the Sherlockian Saga. From that day as I read the Sherlock Holmes all uncleanness. and into the stories, I noticed such things as similes and re- —Matthew 23:27 evening he sat peated words. They seemed common. Consult- My love is like a red red rose ing my library books, I listed some two dozen lost in tobacco common rhetorical devices. I stuck the list on —Robert Burns and thought.” my office wall office, read through the Canon, A remarkably handsome man when he is in noted some occurrences of these figures of the full tide of sermonizing, and his face is speech, and wrote a paper (“Lost in Tobacco lit up with animation, but he is as homely and Zeugma: Some Devices of Classical Rheto- as a singed cat when he isn't doing any- ric in the Sherlockian Canon,” Canadian thing. Holmes , Volume 27, no. 4 (2004). —Mark Twain, on Henry Ward I couldn’t let go and grew more interested in Beecher, in a letter to the San Francisco the subject and began to underline figures of Alta California , February 18, 1867 speech I as I read the Canon. I noticed figures I Float like a butterfly , sting like a bee . had not been aware of when I started this pur- suit. I modified my list and kept underlining. I —Muhammad Ali, on his boxing style put the project down for months at a time, but I love smooth words, like gold-enameled always returned. At long last, in the spring of fish Which circle slowly with a silken swish 2007 I completed what I think is the first com- —Elinor Wylie, “Pretty Words,” in plete list of Canonical figures of speech. Collected Poems , 1932 My list includes 35 figures of speech. Some His eyes were like a flame of fire . are quite common in the Canon (simile, meta- phor, alliteration, litotes, antithesis). Some are —Revelation 1:14 so rare that they occur fewer than half a dozen Duluth! the word fell upon my ear with a times in the Saga (zeugma, irony, hyperbole, peculiar and indescribable charm, like the hendiadys). Some are known to all who gradu- gentle murmur of a low fountain stealing ated junior high school. Some are known only forth in the midst of roses to those who have taken graduate school — James Proctor Knott, in speech on courses in rhetoric. proposed railroad line in U.S House In upcoming issues of Explorations , I will write of Representatives, January 21, 1871 columns dealing with different figures of speech. I will write a bit about each, then (continued on page 16)

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2008 Norwegian Explorers Sigerson Awards and/or 2008 Christmas Annual

T his dual entry form can be used to Rules for Contest Entry submit entries for the Norwegian Explor- 1. Must be a member of The Norwegian Ex- ers Sigerson Awards and/or the 2008 plorers (local and corresponding) Christmas Annual. The Christmas An- 2. Submit entries to John Bergquist, 3665 nual will be distributed to attendees at Ashbury Rd., Eagan, MN 55122. Please also our annual dinner as well as to those send electronic versions Microsoft Word pre- 2008 attending the Baker Street Irregulars ferred) Annual Dinner and the Gaslight Gala to [email protected] (Entries must be during the Sherlock Holmes Birthday received by October 31, 2008 Awards weekend in New York . The Sigerson 1. All entries must be the original work of the contestant Awards will be presented at the Norwe- 2. Winning entries not included in the gian Explorers’ annual dinner. Notice Christmas Annual may be published in Explora- The overall theme of the Annual is tions , but contestant retains all rights “The Non-English Sherlock Holmes.” We 3. Entries returned only if return postage encourage submissions to have a topic provided by contestant related to the theme, but other items will 4. Multiple entries my be submitted for each be considered for inclusion. Possible top- category ics could be foreign translations of the 5. The Norwegian Explorers accept no re- Canon, “writings about the writings” in sponsibility for safety of original entry; copies non-English languages, Holmes’s cases may be submitted (recorded or unrecorded) that took him Judges selected by the Norwegian Explorers. to foreign shores, non-English Holmes Decision of judges is final films or television programs, Sherlockian societies in non-English-speaking coun- Winners of the Sigerson Award an- nounced at Annual Meeting, Dec. 6, 2008. tries, or other related topics. Absentees notified by mail. Send stamped, This year’s annual will include a lead self-addressed envelope for winners list. article written by “The Maniac Collec------tor,” Don Hobbs of Flower Mound, Texas. For decades Don has pursued for- Registration Form eign editions of the Canon and has ac- quired an amazing assortment, which he Name ______will highlight in his article. Suggested Categories for the Awards Address ______and for the Annual:

1. Article, pastiche or essay (1500 word Phone ______maximum); 2. Poem (40 word maxi- Email ______mum); 3. Cartoon or drawing; 4. Joke; 5.

Illustration; 6. Quiz Submission for Christmas Annual ______Categories for Sigerson Award Only Sigerson Awards ______(check one or both) 1. Sherlockian or Doylean review 2. Other (needlepoint, sculpture, photo)

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HOLMES ON FILM Guy Ritchie & Robert Downey, Jr Sacha Baron Cohen & Will Ferrell

Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell are British director Guy Ritchie is in production also set to play Holmes and Watson — this to bring a gritty adaptation of Holmes to the time in a big-screen Hollywood comedy. screen. He is expected to dump the deer- Etan Cohen (of “Tropic Thunder”) is writing stalker and pipe and introduce filmgoers to an the screenplay (unfinished as of August action hero detective for this Warner Brothers 2008) for the as-yet untitled project. Baron film. Cohen and Ferrell previously played rival The Tony Peckham script is based on an race car drivers in the 2006 box-office hit, upcoming Holmes comic book by Lionel Wi- “Talladega Nights.” gram. Wigram is also a producer on the Baron Cohen is perhaps best known for his movie, set for a 2010 role in “Borat—Cultural Learnings of Amer- release. ica for Make benefit Glorious Nation of Ka- Holmes and Wat- zakhstan.” He received the Golden Globe son are ex- pected to for Best Actor in a Comedy for his perform- ance, as well as an Academy Award nomina- trade their Victorian emphasis for more tion for Best Adapted Screenplay. “Expect to see some hints of adventure- some per- Ferrell first appeared on “Saturday Night former sonae, with H o l m e s portrayals as utilizing his skills as a Downer spent bare- knuckle hours and boxer and m a s t e r hours watching swordsman. re-runs of the Brett series as In mid-July Robert Downey, Jr. signed on to well as Basil portray the Master Detective. Following his Rathbone recent block- films. ˝ buster, “Iron Man”, he is expected to bring extra atten- tion to the project. Lives” but has successfully crossed over to Expect to see some hints of f o r m e r motion pictures. portrayals as Downer “Just the idea of Sacha and Will as Sherlock s p e n t hours and Holmes and Watson makes us laugh,” said hours watching re-runs of the Brett series as Matt Tolmach of Columbia Pictures. “They well as films. are two of the funniest and most talented guys on the planet, and having them take on As of August, Watson had not been cast, but these two iconic characters is frankly hilari- British hardman Jason Statham is rumored to ous.” be on a short list for the role. When Guy Ritchie was asked by Movi- Filming begins in October in London, with esOnline if there is a race between the two some stage scenes slated for New York City. upcoming films, he commented,” They don’t even have a script yet, so we’re hoping not. Don’t expect a Hollywood cat fight.” (Note: Photos used with permission of M Morgan Photography.)

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AT THE MOVIES (continued)

The Duchess Satyajit Ray Films of Satyajit Ray, hailed as the greatest In September 2008, movie goers will be treated filmmaker of India, are now are available on to “The Duchess,” a chronicle of the life of 18th DVD, including his 1967 film century aristocrat Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of “Chiryakhana.” (“The Zoo” ) Devonshire. While beauty and charisma made her name, extravagant tastes and an appetite for Centered around activities of a colony located gambling and love made her infamous. Still, she in an Indian village, it is the of a retired judge “...beauty and was the darling of the common people. who is murdered. The police detective assigned to the case is a close acquaintance of the judge. charisma made Trapped in a triangle with her husband and his live-in mistress, Georgiana falls in love with The film appeals to Sherlockians as the detec- her name, her Charles Grey, an ambitious young politician, tive spares no Holmesian tricks in his work. extravagant tastes and their affair threatens to erupt into scandal. For example, the easy chair in the detective’s room has the aura of Baker Street. In another Explorers will recognize the noble title as the and appetite for scene, he sniffs a rose and passes it onto his BSI investiture of Julie McKuras, a gracious host- companion to enjoy the fragrance. gambling and ess and clever Sherlockian. love made her [We are assured that both Julie and her illustri- infamous.” ous husband, Mike, remain devoted to one an- Wessex Press/Gasogene Books other and not a breath of scandal is expected in You can now view the promotional movie for the ranks of the Explorers.] Gasogene’s volume, “The Private Life of Sher- Keira Knightley is cast as Georgiana, with Ralph lock Holmes: The 75th Anniversary Edition.” Fiennes as the Duke, Hayley Atwell as the mis- The case bound, dust-jacketed edition features a tress and Dominic Cooper as Grey. facsimile of the 1933 first edition, with com- mentary and scholarly appreciations, edited by Ray Betzner, BSI. Gene Wilder Film Fest You can view the promo at: http:// Rachel Goodrich, of Stamford, Connecticut, www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpkaTM554HI reports that her local theatre, The Avon Theatre Film Center, will present an Autumn film series designed and hosted by Gene Wilder. “Wilder’s DVD Miscellanea Picks,” includes his favorite motion pictures (“Key Largo” and “Soldier of Fortune.”) The • BBC Holmes Collection, featuring Peter final film will be “The Adventures of Sherlock Cushing, Richard Roxburgh, Rupert Holmes’ Smarter Brother,” starring Wilder him- Everett and Douglas Henshall. self, who also wrote and directed the film where • Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century , from sibling rivalry hits a new level of absurdity. DiC Kid’s Network. Animated Holmes in 2103 and 2104. • Season 4 of the House television series is out Science Fiction on DVD. See the Spring 2008 Explorations Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of the Banshee article from Mike Eckman for a comparison (2009) — sci-fi filming in Lithuania. London is of Holmes and House. plagued by a series of male deaths by heart fail- ure. • Though not on DVD, the writers of the television series Lost have created a Sher- Russian Holmes lockian pastiche, “The Adventure of the Central Partnership, Russia’s largest independ- Missing Stocking” is available online at ent film producer and distributor, is embarking http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/ on the biggest ever TV series production. It is a spoofs_ satire/the_adventure_of_the_ miss- $16 million, 32-episode series based on Sherlock ing_stocking Holmes.

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holmes and thursday next

In Thursday Next: First Among Sequels , the The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.” (167) A re- Holmes stories are referred to as “closed view of the text shows that it has been modi- books, unavailable to enter…” (168) For fied. On the final page Watson “discovers those of us who have read them, this may that Holmes has apparently fallen to his death come as a surprise until we realized that the — and the book ends twenty-nine pages before entry spoken of is to actually go into the it was meant to.” (168) Since Holmes’ death is book, experience the settings, and possibly where the Memoirs actually end, it is probable interact with the characters. that the Narrative Flexation is brewing in The “... she has a full Thursday Next is a jurisdiction agent and a Return of Sherlock Holmes. Nevertheless, several member of the Council of Genres, which life in the real Jurisfiction agents, but not Thursday, are as- governs fiction and the free trade of ideas signed to try and enter the Holmes series world that and characters between genres in the Book- through Conan Doyle’s other works. includes Uncle World. The Council is alarmed by the Since Thursday is not directly involved in news that Holmes is murdered at the end of Mycroft. .” the Holmes problem and she has her own The Memoirs and this puts four volumes of concerns with someone trying to kill her, we the series at risk of spontaneously unravel- only learn of any progression the Holmes ing unless something can be done. problem from others. At one point, the sug- First Among Sequels is the fifth book in the gestion is made that “With a well-positioned Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. The Textual Sieve, we could was a serial killer first four are The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good loose in the BookWorld.” (361) Needless to Book, The Well of Lost Plots and Something say, the book ends with a cliffhanger to allow Rotten. The Great Samuel Pepys Fiasco is re- for the next installment of the Thursday Next ferred to often throughout First Among Se- series scheduled for July 2009 and tentatively

quels, but is listed as no longer available. titled One of Our Thursdays is Missing. The pa- Thursday is an Outlander (human who is perback of First Among Sequels will be pub- able to enter the BookWorld. Most other lished in Autumn 2008. agents she works with are fictional charac- For more information on Thursday Next, go ters. Of course, she has a full life in the real to http://www.jasperfforde.com. world that includes Uncle Mycroft. Mike Eckman In the universe that Thursday travels

through as a Jurisfiction agent, books are scattered like stars, but “clumped together ANSWERS TO CANONICAL QUIZ in genres, attracted by the gravitational tug of their mutual plotlines.” (80) In most (page numbers from Doubleday) cases, an agent can bookjump into a novel 1. TWIS, 230 to correct a problem, but some books re- 2. BLUE, 251 main outside the influence of the Council 3. ILLU, 991

of Genres. “ Pilgrim’s Progress and the Sher- 4. STUD, 71

lock Holmes series are good examples,” 5. FIVE, 218 Thursday explains, “We know roughly 6. FINA, 471 where they are, due to the literary influence 7. GLOR, 381 they exert on similar books, but we still 8. 3GAB, 1025 haven’t figured out a way in.” (80) 9. SIGN, 121 The inability to enter the series becomes 10. BRUC, 916

important when it is reported that “We’ve got a Major Narrative Flexation brewing in

Page 1 10 0 EXPLORATIONS sherlock holmes on the printed page Holmes & Bond Case of the Missing Marquess Mike Eckman observes that in Ian Flem- Nancy Springer introduces a new heroine, ing’s “From Russia With Love,” Russians Enola Holmes in this young adult novel. Enola discuss their opinions of various countries’ is the younger sister of Holmes, who has lived a intelligence services, agreeing that they re- peaceful life until her mother goes missing. spect the British who are not natural con- When her famous brother suggests that mother spirators, but play the game very well. Gen- planned to disappear, the determined girl takes the case herself. Disguising herself, she runs eral Vozdvishenshy tries to explain this seem- off to London and begins a fast-paced parental ing contradiction. “Of course, most of their search. strength lies in the myth – in the myth of Scotland Yard, of Sherlock Holmes, of the There are two other novels in the series, with a “Of course, most Secret Service. We certainly have nothing to fourth due in September. Fans of Nancy Drew and the Master Detective will enjoy the series. of their strength fear from these Gentlemen. But this myth is a hindrance which it would be good to set lies in the myth – aside.” Canadian Nominee in the myth of In order to destroy the myth, the Russians Finalists for the Canadian Children’s Lit- Scotland Yard, decide to kill James Bond. erature Awards include “Eye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes.” Pre- of Sherlock Norwegian Explorers sented by the Canadian Chil- Holmes, of the dren’s Book Centre, the winner Omnibus of the $20,000 prize will be Secret Service .” Copies are available of the announced at a ceremony in 2007 Omnibus, with reprints October. of The Crowded Box Room, Cultivating Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: Master Detec- The Quintessential tive, Exploring Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes and Cultivating Sherlock John Christ reports from Holmes. Contact pber- Western Carolina University [email protected] for details. that a fellow faculty member has published a five-story col- TWIS by S Paget lection of novellas based on Holmes. A Slight Trick of the Mind The Quintessential Sherlock Holmes follows Mitch Cullin’s 2005 novel is now available Boyer’s debut novel, The Giant Rat of Sumatra on audio CD. Narrator Simon Jones does (1976) that was hailed by the late John Bennett an excellent job of keeping the three inter- Shaw as “the best and most authentic modern locking stories straight. The “mysteries” Sherlock Holmes tale yet written.” within are stories of a grieving young wife, a Boyer is well known for his Doc Adams mys- missing Japanese father and a character study ter series (a New England oral surgeon,) the of Holmes himself. first of which was honored as Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel presented by the Mystery Writers of America. Sherlock Holmes and the Yule- Boyer credits Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for Tide Mystery his literary inspiration. “Sherlock Holmes is At Christmas time, a man comes to Baker and remains the greatest consulting detective Street with a compelling story. Not The the world has ever known. I thought that since Blue Carbuncle , but a holiday novel from I was going to give it my best to become an Val Andrews. As might be expected from author, I had better select the ideal author as my this author, the ensuing gathering of seem- example and mentor.” ing strangers in Sussex challenges not only Holmes and Watson, but the reader as well.

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sharing the figures holmes sightings (continued from page 5)

I have found 287 similes and another 20 figures Panorama of a Presidency: George W that function as similes without the classic “like” Bush and the Rise and Fall of Political or “as” construction. This averages one simile Capital (published by M E Sharpe) every three to four pages, which makes this one Explorer Steve Schier begins the preface to his

of the most common figures in the Canon. forthcoming book with a Sherlockian reference.

“Analyzing a contemporary presidency is no easy “You are as thin as a lath and as brown as a nut ” task. One is confronted with mountains of informa- tion and opinion through which one must trudge. (STUD, Doubleday16) Too much information, a common affliction nowa-

days, is as problematic as too little. In my research “He had long quivering fingers as agile and restless and efforts, I have been guided by the advice of Ar- “...make-up artistry, as the antennae of an insect. “ (HOUN, 672) thur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: “It is of the something Holmes highest importance in the art of detection to be able “...his face was all crinkled and puckered like a with- should have spotted to recognize out of a number of facts which are inci- ered apple ” (CROO, 418) dental and which vital. Otherwise your energy and instantly.” attention must be dissipated instead of being con- “...the [. . .] voice of the red-bearded Duke, which centrated.” (REIG) boomed out like a dinner-gong (PRIO, 544) Look for Schier’s book and judge his success in identifying and analyzing the vital facts of the QUIZ (answers on page 9) George W Bush presidency. Here are 10 similes. Name the stories in which they appear. ( No story is used more than once. ) The Economist Mike Eckman spotted Holmes in the January 24 1. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like issue of The Economist . (“Somewhere Over the Rain- birds to a light-house . bow” ) 2. the breath of the passers-by blew out into “On the other hand, there has been a dramatic rise smoke like so many pistol shots in the number of conflicts resolved. During this decade, civil wars have come to an end or have been 3. “Well, sir,” said she in a voice like the wind restrained in Aceh, Angola, Burundi, Congo, Libe- from an iceberg . ria, Nepal, Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone. These 4. As the sun rose slowly above the eastern hori- places then drop out of the news. As Sherlock Holmes remarked of the curious incident of the dog zon, the caps of the great mountains lit up one at night (‘The dog did noting in the night after the other, like lamps at a festival , until they time...That was the curious incident’) events that do were all ruddy and glowing. not happen can be as revealing as those that do.” 5. the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the chimney Michael Chabon 6. “He sits motionless, like a spider in the centre Noted for his Wonder Boys children’s books of its web ” and the best-selling The Yiddish Policeman’s Un- ion is an avowed fan of Sherlock Holmes and 7. It was strange among so many sad and weary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. faces to see one which was full of energy and In an essay on Holmes, Chabon writes, “And yet resolution. The sight of it was to me like a fire in there is a degree to which, just as all criticism is in a snow-storm . essence Sherlockian, all literature, highbrow or low, 8. She entered with ungainly struggle like some from the Aeneid onward, is fan fiction...Through huge awkward chicken, torn, squawking, out of parody and pastiche, allusion and homage, retelling and reimagining the stories that were told before us its coop. and that we have come of age loving — amateurs — 9. “See how that one little cloud floats like a we proceed, seeking out the blank places in the map pink feather from some gigantic flamingo .” that our favorite writers...have left for us, hoping to pass on to our own readers...the pleasure that we 10. “As to the Admiralty—it is buzzing like an ourselves have taken in the stuff we love: to get in on overturned bee-hive .” the game. All novels are sequels; influence is bliss.

Karen Murdock

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