Baker Street Irregulars discussion

So I have juuust started this book, though I've had it on the shelf for a few weeks. Well I have quite a few books on my shelf for a few weeks.... there are two versions of this book, the "original flavor" and the gentleman's edition. I have the original flavor, but I was wondering if anyone got the gentleman's?

Hi folks and fellow Sherlockians. I'm the author of Whitechapel. Depending on your view of the book, that can be a good or bad thing. Most traditional fans of ACD are pretty upset by what I did with the characters, and I can understand that. I certainly did not obey any of the tried and true formulas for a "normal" SH story.
I assure you, I had my reasons.
First, I felt that there have been plenty of other stories that have mined that ground. I am a huge fan of the original ACD stories, but the reality is...they've already been written. Everything after that is essentially a cover band singer "Stairway to Heaven." It might be a really good version of it...but it's still just a cover band.
My goal with Whitechapel was to present a hard look at the actual times in which SH and JTR lived, and a factual representation of the Ripper murders.
Most people have no idea what sort of atrocities were committed against those women. I warn you, my book does not shy away from them. It also does not shy away from explaining exactly how the Ripper "persona" came to be.
If you are expecting tea sets and doilies, this is not the book for you.
If you can allow yourself to go with me on this journey, however, I promise you it will pay off by the end.
(The two different versions our host is referring to are the original version and the Gentleman's Edition, which is the same story minus the gore and profanity.)
If anyone wants to ask me any questions, talk in greater detail about the subject matter, or declare me to be the Antichrist (Heard that one before, but I'm sure you can do better) then feel free. I'm following this discussion and will contribute as time allows.
Take care.
Schaffer

Hello Bernard!

I started reading it a few days ago. I noticed that you have titled the parts of your books after Smiths' lyrics and later there is a character named Stephen Morrissey. I'm interested in hearing your reasons for doing so.

Also, I know what you mean by the gore! Well, my favorite author is Dennis Cooper and next on my "to read list" is In the Miso Soup so gore isn't a problem for me. It's a feature! Anyway. I was thinking, while I was reading, that it reminded me of splatter films. If I were to categorize your book as splatterpunk, would you think that would be a fair assessment? or is it not even a real genre?

Hi Joanna. Good catch with the Morrissey references. I wrote about Moz's influence on the book here: http://www.apiarysociety.com/books_of...

The short answer is that I found inspiration for Holmes' isolation and commitment to being alone in Moz's music and persona. I included the journalist character as a nod to him.

Ah, cool. This particularly interested me:

"Moz's perspective on living a solitary, sexless existence informed my view of Sherlock Holmes and also echoed many of the things I was experiencing at the time."

Would you care to expand on that? Do you take Holmes to be asexual(ish)?

And, what resources did you use when writing this book? Do you have recommendations for people?

I am over halfway through this book and I am enjoying it as a JTR story. I am not a fan of the Holmes sections, but I am not saying this is a bad book. I expected there to be more Sherlock Holmes throughout and maybe I still have some good stuff yet to come. I am certainly keeping my mind open. I hope you are still following this becuase it is a thrill to disscuss this book with you the author Bernard.

My question, if you have time,is about the sections of JTR as a younger boy. I have read several books about who JTR was and I was wondering if this was just pure fiction, or did you actually find some facts that would suggest this?

Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been hard at work on Magnificent Guns of Seneca 6.

Joanna: I used multiple resources for both the Ripper and Holmes aspects of the book. I have an extensive collection of both. For the Holmes part, I relied heavily on the new annotated editions as well as an out-of-print encyclopedia to the canon. For the Ripper, I suggest Phillip Sugden's Complete History and of course the JTR Casebook.org online.

Chris: I think if you stick with the story, you'll see Holmes emerge from the darkness. Not quite like the prototypical detective we all know and love, but something that you will might feel proud of.
The history of Montague Druitt is fictional, but based on several solid facts that opened the door. The events and madness that plagued Monty are based in fact. The details within the story are based on extensive research into serial killers, as well as a consultation with the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. My ultimate goal was to present a Ripper whose crimes made sense, even if only to himself.

I thank you so much for getting back to our questions. It is such a thrill to discuss a book with the author. I really liked the back story you wrote and as a Jack the Ripper story it was very good. I just wasn't a big fan of your portrayal of Holmes, but did enjoy the very end. You did a great job tying all of the characters together and that I appreciated.

On a different note, I really enjoyed your novella Regarding Freemasonry. As a fellow traveler I enjoyed it and cheered some of your points. I also found myself laughing out loud quite a bit.

Chris wrote: "I thank you so much for getting back to our questions. It is such a thrill to discuss a book with the author. I really liked the back story you wrote and as a Jack the Ripper story it was very good..."

I'm also reading Regarding Freemasonry! I didn't know anything about Freemasonry, and any time I would try to read something it was terribly conspiratorial in tone, as if it were something like Atlantis or aliens or something. Stuff that belongs on Coast to Coast AM. But Regarding Freemasonry is really lighthearted and honest. I am really enjoying it so far.

Glad you both decided to give that a try. Regarding Freemasonry was terrific fun to research and publish. There truly are some bizarre ideas out there about the fraternity and anything associated with it.

I know this is off topic of the disscussion but do you have some books you read for the Regarding Freemasonry that you really liked in your research. I am always interested in reading more on the subject and wonder what you recomend.

Chris wrote: "I know this is off topic of the disscussion but do you have some books you read for the Regarding Freemasonry that you really liked in your research. I am always interested in reading more on the s..."
Chris: I just happened to come across this question, so I am truly sorry for the delayed response. The truth is, I read a TON of books researching the Freemasons and it would be impossible to list them all. They were not just Freemason-specific ones, however. In many cases, I had to research the history of various people and events.
Believe it or not, the Dummies Guide to Freemasons, etc. are not bad books to start with. They're pretty comprehensive.

Thanks for getting back to my question. It doesn't matter how long it took, but that you answered it is great. Thanks.

Thanks for the recommendation of the Dummies guide. I will have to give it a read.