Book Review: The Sherlock Holmes Miscellany by Roger Johnson & Jean Upton
The Sherlock Holmes Miscellany
by Roger Johnson and Jean Upton
Before I start I must admit that I am a bit biased. I have met both Roger and Jean on several occasions and they are absolutely wonderful people; so even if this book would be terrible – which it decidedly isn’t – I would probably find it difficult to say anything bad about it.
However, I am very happy to say that The Sherlock Holmes Miscellany is a wonderful book, a treasure chest for fans and those who are not yet fans of Sherlock Holmes. While, in Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows, Moriarty keeps all his important information about his empire of crime in a little red book, this little red book holds the most important facts about the world of Sherlock Holmes. It offers a concise overview over the canon stories, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life and work and the reception of the stories in literature and modern media and a whole lot more. It is, however, not a Wikipedia article, but a lovely collection of titbits of information, often commented on from a personal point of view of the authors. Therefore it’s not a mere list of, say, adaptations, but each film is also evaluated from the point of view of two lifelong Sherlockians and critics. The subjectivity of the book makes it immensely fun to read and you get the feeling of being guided through the Sherlockian world by two apt tour guides who know exactly what they are doing and what we are looking at.
While adaptations and the reception of Sherlock Holmes in popular media and literature in general is described, there is also a section about urban legends and frequently asked questions, numerous amazing photographs and illustrations, many of them from the private collection of Jean and Roger, including some lovely photos of Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch at al. during filming of Sherlock BBC or Jeremy Brett. Another section of the book gives insight into the most prominent Sherlock Holmes Societies with a special focus on the Baker Street Irregulars and the Sherlock Holmes Society of London.
It would be difficult to do the book justice and to list all the chapters and describe them in detail; and it would also take away the fun of exploring the little red book on your own.
It is a brilliant read, not complex but concise, whimsical, funny, critical and written by two people who clearly and dearly love Sherlock Holmes and everything that has to do with him.
It’s a blessing for both Sherlockians and those who are just getting to know the world of Sherlock Holmes. It brilliantly serves as both an introduction and a reference book and even the most well read Sherlockian will surely find out a few new things, which reveals the amount of research and work which went into this book; which is a bit like the Tardis. It’s much bigger on the inside.
You can get your copy of The Sherlock Holmes Miscellany from amazon.co.uk, amazon.com, amazon.de, bookdepository and any good book shop.
Maria teaches English Literature at Leipzig University, Germany, published a German introduction to Sherlock Holmes and is a fan of all things Holmes – but especially of the Canon stories and Sherlock BBC. Contact her at @stuffasdreams & maria@bakerstreetbabes.com