The Cambridge Companion to Sherlock Holmes

by Janice M. Allan (Editor), Christopher Pittard (Editor)

Sherlock Holmes is the most famous fictional detective in history, with a popularity that has never waned since catching the imagination of his late-Victorian readership. This Companion explores Holmes' popularity and his complex relationship to the late-Victorian and modernist periods; on one hand bearing the imprint of a range of Victorian anxieties and preoccupations, while on the other shaping popular conceptions of criminality, deviance, and the powers of the detective. This collection explores these questions in three parts. 'Contexts' explores late-Victorian culture, from the emergence of detective fiction to ideas of evolution, gender, and Englishness. 'Case Studies' reads selected Holmes adventures in the context of empire, visual culture, and the gothic. Finally, 'Holmesian Afterlives' investigates the relationship between Holmes and literary theory, film and theatre adaptations, new Holmesian novels, and the fandom that now surrounds him.

Genres: Nonfiction, Criticism, Literature, History

284 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2019

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine collection of essays examining various facets of the famous fictional detective. I know edited collections can contain chapters varying in quality, but this immersive read is consistently engaging, with not a dry piece among the collected work. The aim is to explore Holmes from a number of different angles engaging with literary theory, history, and the thematic elements with which Doyle engaged. A history of Holmes and the Strand opens the volume, before we move into explorations of time and place, gender, law, and Doyle's engagement with key critical theories of the age such as those surrounding evolution and criminality. Three crucial chapters are particularly good for their discussions of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES' Gothicity, the notion of Empire in A STUDY IN SCARLET and THE SIGN OF FOUR, and a close examination of Sidney Paget's illustrations and their relationship to the original publication of the tales. Later chapters bring the world of Holmes up to date by listing film adaptations and Neo-Holmesian fiction. There are no dry chapters here, just close and lively analysis, making this a must for any fan.

[Abdul Alhazred · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it comes to literary criticism you have a span between readable and accessible to the layman, all the way to incomprehensible academic gibberish. This is heavily leaning toward readable, covering contextual essays about detective fiction, the historical era, views on ACD's innovations and imitations, and the usual race, gender and equality commentary that are the staple of the genre. There's a very good discussion on the impact on The Strand magazine and their role in motivating the character to survive beyond 6 outings, as well as the impact of Sidney Paget's illustrations on the character of Holmes and later adaptations.
Some of it's really interesting and some of it you'll probably skip, but that's normal with these grab bags.

[L.A. Adolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of Holmesian literary criticism.

Remarkably little fresh ground is broken in the collection. Say what you will of Sherlockians playing "The Great Game", they at least do so with a certain style, inventiveness, and wit. Most of these essays verge on the dry side, which is probably to be expected from academics.

The collection is notable for the essay dealing with Sidney Paget's Holmes illustrations as they provided illumination and atmosphere to Doyle's prose.

Two essays touch briefly, but rather desultorily on modern pastiche and media representations, neither very exhaustive or insightful.

Still a worthwhile read.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very readable set of scholarly essays about the Sherlock Holmes canon. The particularly strong essays are those which deal with the context of Doyle's stories, such as contemporary detective fiction, 'Englishness', the debates about evolution, criminality and law and order. This volume is a refreshing change from the more traditional narrative studies of the stories, and is recommended for all devotees of the Great Detective.

[Janina Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of essays which detail every aspect that comes into contact with Holmes, be it interpretation and analysis of the canon, context of publication, inspiration for Holmes, themes, adaptions and fandom. Diverse and non-judgemental, I’d recommend this companion to every Holmes afficionado.

[Roger Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume comprises fifteen academic papers and an introduction by the editors. Some are interesting, some are dry and one or two are impenetrable! It is a testament to just how far Holmesian scholarship can go.

[Pope Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series and this is a fascinating addition. Scholarly and accessible.