I've been re-reading Sherlock Homes recently, because it's good for my soul. I think most mystery writers are inspired by Holmes in the same way musicians are inspired by the Beatles.
Yes, I'm aware Conan Doyle was not the first mystery writer. Poe et al. got their blows in first, but try saying "Auguste Dupin" to a random stranger and see what blank reaction you get.
So my strange factoid of the day is this: at no point in the Canon does Holmes ever say, "You interest me strangely."
Which is a pity because it sounds like it should be there.
"You interest me strangely," said Holmes, leaning back in his chair. "Pray continue."
The biggest users of the phrase appear to be P.G. Wodehouse(!) and Sax Rohmer.
15 comments:
Oh, I love Sherlock Holmes! And somehow, you are right. :) That phrase does suit him. You made me want to get the books and read them again. Especially, considering that I never read them in English! The Russian version was great though.:)
Hi Scary,
Okay, now I'm having severe trouble imagining Sherlock Holmes in Russian. The stories are so quintessentially British. Do the characters' attitudes translate?
Obviously somebody is trying to tell you to read PG Wodehouse instead.
So did he or didn't he say, 'Elementary, my dear Watson'?
Hi Lexie!
I'm sorry to say he never said, "Elementary, my dear Watson." The phrase first appears in an early Sherlock Holmes film, and therefore is not part of the Canon, which is the term for the "true" Sherlock Holmes stories.
Holmes does, however, refer to his deductions as "elementary" on many occasions.
Woops, I misspelt your name, Lexi. Apologies.
Robert, you can be quite sure I've read him! Wodehouse is one of the greatest writers of comic dialogue ever. If I could do it half as well I'd be a happy man.
Wodehouse is also on record as having praised both Ngaio Marsh and George MacDonald Fraser. I've got to admire anyone who likes some of my favourite authors.
Did you know, btw, that in the sherlock holmes museum in London, there are quite a few photos of the Russian/Soviet version of the movie? Soviet sherlock was fantastic! One of the best movies made in the soviet times, if you ask me. And the books were translated beautifully. But I must try them in english to compare.
I've come to love mysterious only lately. Now you're all giving me more, 'must read.'
Scary, now I wish I could speak Russian so I could compare too.
Susan, if you'd care to name a few mysteries you've liked, we can probably list others you might enjoy.
Man, I've never read Sherlock Holmes. I know, I know! Bad, bad Stephanie. I'll have to see if I can squeeze one into my summer reading list.
Hi Stephanie.
Read the short stories! I suggest you skip the opening novel "A Study In Scarlet" and begin with the first collection of short stories called "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes".
A lot of the Holmes books are available as free ebook downloads from Project Gutenberg. http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1 There's generally a warning that some of them may be under copyright in countries other than the US but given the age of the work I kinda doubt it. Some of them are audio books, too.
Gary, what do you think of the "Faux Holmes" that are popping up now, like The Italian Secretary? Personally, I've yet to find one that rings true, but YMMV.
Loretta, you ask all the tough questions!
I started a reply, but it got so long I've moved it to a new post...
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