March 31, 1890: Violet Hunter was interviewed for the Governess position by Jethro Rucastle. [COPP]
Source
A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes according to Ziesler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI.
On March 31st…
On March 30th…
March 30, 1894: The Honorable Ronald Adair was murdered. [EMPT]
Source
A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes according to Ziesler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI.
Friend and Biographer Series: JHWS ‘Buster’
Speaking of my old friend and biographer, I would take this opportunity to remark….Watson has some remarkable characteristics of his own, to which in his modesty he has given small attention…
Hello Watsonians,
Today we add to our series of brief biographic interviews with some of the members of JHWS. Our members, like the good Dr. Watson, have some remarkable characteristics of their own, and we would like to give some small attention to them.
The interview today is from Chris Redmond, a friend to many in the global Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian community. As always, his writing is fun and interesting.
Enjoy,
Margie/ JHWS ‘Mopsy’
- Name and bull pup moniker
Chris Redmond — Buster
- Current (city, state, country) location
In the process of moving to Carleton Place, Ontario
- How long have you been a devotee of Dr. Watson?
Ever since I figured out that without him the Canon would be approximately 2.5 stories long.
- Do you have a favorite canonical story?
As the editor of About Sixty, I had better not commit myself to any one . . . although I do have a longstanding admiration for “The Illustrious Client”.
- What is your favorite quote from the canon?
“I say, Watson,” he whispered, “would you be afraid to sleep in the same room with a lunatic, a man with softening of the brain, an idiot whose mind has lost its grip?”
- If you could speak directly to anyone in the canon, who would you choose and why?
Well, there are a few things I wouldn’t mind saying to Irene Adler.
- Are you fond of any particular canon adaptations—pastiche, radio, or film?
I have very little discrimination — I’ll watch anything and read almost anything (I draw the line at the Kennedy assassination book). I particularly admire the Granada TV series, the novels of Larry Millett, and the first hour of “The Abominable Bride”.
- Do you have a local Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian group you meet with on a regular basis?
I’m a long-time member of the Bootmakers of Toronto, and a co-founder of the much newer Cesspudlian Society of London, Ontario.
- Do you have any recent Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian projects/events you would like to tell us about?
There is going to be another anthology as a sequel to About Sixty. Watch for details soon. Also, an online friend who had better remain nameless has challenged me to write a fic, which is in the last stages of awfulness right now.
- If you had a magic wand, allowing you to add, subtract, change one thing in your Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian world, what would it be?
I’d like to repair some broken friendships. If that’s too much to ask, I wouldn’t mind a do-over of several of the BBC Sherlock episodes, to have more mystery and less self-indulgence.
On March 28th…
March 28, 1895: Bannister denied that he revealed who had stole the Fortesque exam. [3STU]
March 28, 1895: Gilchrist confessed to copying the Fortesque exam. [3STU]
March 28, 1902: Don Murillo vanished, but Miss Burnett escaped. [WIST]
Source
A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes according to Ziesler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI.
On March 27th…
March 27, 1895: Gilchrist copied the Fortesque exam. [3STU]
“I have a letter here, Mr. Soames, which I wrote to you early this morning in the middle of a restless night. It was before I knew that my sin had found me out. Here it is, sir. You will see that I have said, `I have determined not to go in for the examination. I have been offered a commission in the Rhodesian Police, and I am going out to South Africa at once.’ ”
“I am indeed pleased to hear that you did not intend to profit by your unfair advantage,” said Soames. “But why did you change your purpose?”
Gilchrist pointed to Bannister.
March 27, 1902: Constable Downing was bitten by Cook. [WIST]
“It was about two hours ago. The light was just fading. I was sitting reading in the chair, I don’t know what made me look up, but there was a face looking in at me through the lower pane. Lord, sir, what a face it was! I’ll see it in my dreams.”
“Chips” says: To me this picture represents Holmes inside a room working to Thwart Evil. While Evil is is outside waiting to overwhelm Good.
Source:A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes According to Zeisler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BS
Posted by “Chips” and “Selena Buttons”
On March 26th…
Leonard Nimoy was born March 26, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts.
From 1973 on, he played Star Trek‘s Mr Spock on television and in films, so he is best known for that role. But he also played Sherlock Holmes in a touring production of William Gillette’s play. Asked about Holmes, he said:
He’s an asocial man, hardly your average 9-to-5 worker with a family. Instead, he’s chosen a very special kind of life, and he has very little respect for most of the people around him who are also involved in his profession. He’s an outsider, in so many ways—particularly in his relationships, with women. Holmes is very much an alien, all right, and I felt that I could understand him the same way I understood Spock.
“Chips” was fortunate enough to see the show, and he writes:
I have been in love with Leonard Nimoy since Star Trek. I was so lucky to get tickets to see him in person when he came to Denver in the William Gillette play. I wish he could done more as Holmes. The oddball casting was Allan Sues, a off the wall comedian who overplayed Moriarty but was completely outdone by Nimoy’s serious acting ability. Nimoy only varied once into Spock once during the play and he did it so well it fit right in.
I still have the play souvenir program that I keep in a place of honor.
Source:
Information provided by A Curious Collection of Dates by by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”).
Posted by The Dynamic Duo of “Chips” (aka Ron) and “Selena Buttons” (aka Beth)
On March 25th…
March 25, 1889: The betrothal of the King of Bohemia to Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen was announced. [SCAN]
“Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday.”
“Oh, then, we have three days yet,” said Holmes, with a yawn.
Source
A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes according to Ziesler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI.
Posted by The Dynamic Duo “Chips” (aka Ron) and “Selena Buttons” (aka Beth)
On March 24th…
March 24, 1889: Irene and Godfrey Norton left for the Continent. [SCAN]
March 24, 1889: Holmes received a portrait of Irene Adler. [SCAN]
“What a woman – oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity she was not on my level?”
“From what I have seen of the lady, she seems, indeed, to be on a very different level to your Majesty,” said Holmes, coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty’s business to a more successful conclusion.”
Another favorite Canonical moment from “Chips”.
Source
A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes according to Ziesler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI.
Posted by The Dynamic Duo “Chips” (aka Ron) and “Selena Buttons” (aka Beth)
On March 23rd…
March 23, 1889
For today, “Chips” shares two favorite moments from “A Scandal in Bohemia” that show Dr Watson’s taste for adventure and loyalty to Holmes.
First, a bit of Canonical conversation:
“By the way, Doctor, I shall want your co-operation.”
“I shall be delighted.”
“You don’t mind breaking the law?”
“Not in the least.”
“Nor running a chance of arrest?”
“Not in a good cause.”
“Oh, the cause is excellent!”
“Then I am your man.”
“I was sure that I might rely on you.”
Second, the moment when Irene Adler determines whom she has been fooled by and cannot let the moment go without passing her compliments along to him.
We had reached Baker Street, and had stopped at the door. He was searching his pockets for the key, when someone passing said: –
“Good night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.”
There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.
“I’ve heard that voice before.” said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit street. “Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been.”
On March 22nd… The King Comes To Call
Friday, March 22, 1889: The King of Bohemia visited Holmes. [SCAN]
The man sprang from his chair, and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. “You are right,” he cried, “I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it?”
“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia.” [SCAN]
On episode three of Trifles, I made this comment to Scott Monty, dealing with this image: “You mentioned in this post the burger King of Bohemia. I saw an ad for a burger at Burger King. They were discussing a new product. So I think we could call Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia “The Bacon Burger King of Bohemia who also told Holmes quite a few whoppers”.
Scott thought it funny – any comments from any who read this? -Chips aka Ron
Source:
A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes According to Zeisler and Christ by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI
A Limerick for March 21st
For my posting on this date I am going to publish a limerick that I promised some one near and dear to me that I would. I hope my partner and co-columnist will understand. I think she will. [Of course! -Selena Buttons]
So, to honor the Author’s memory and to keep my word, here is a special limerick for the start of “A Scandal in Bohemia” written by a Special Sherlockian as part of his series.
When the King had his way with Irene,
The pictures they took were obscene.
But her consortin’
With Godfrey Norton
Meant those pictures remained unseen.
May God bless you Don where ever you are.
Ron
On March 20th… A Scandal
One night – it was on the 20th of March, 1888 – I was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. [SCAN, emphasis added]
In A Curious Collection of Dates, Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”) write about this opening sentence:
“Although Watson is (atypically) quite clear on the date for ‘A Scandal in Bohemia,’ it’s a puzzling one. First, he describes a Lenten wedding – a Victorian faux pas. More bizarrely, however, he claims to be married, when – if the dating of The Sign of the Four is correct – he has yet to meet his wife.”
Over the years, of course, Sherlockians have tried to reconcile this puzzle in various ways. Baring-Gould puts the case in May of 1887, while Zeisler argues for March of 1889. Whenever it happened, I think we’re all glad that it did.
Source:
Information provided by A Curious Collection of Dates by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”)
Posted by The Dynamic Duo: “Chips” aka Ron and “Selena Buttons” aka Beth.
On March 19th… Vamberry, the Wine Merchant
“They are not all successes, Watson,” said he, “but there are some pretty little problems among them. Here’s the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club foot and his abominable wife.” [MUSG]
In A Curious Collection of Dates, Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”), dedicate this day to Arminius Vamberry, born March 19, 1832 (possibly). They write:
“According to Leslie Klinger’s New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Arminius Vamberry (German: Hermann Bamberger) was a wine collector. But the Hungarian language professor, who may or may not have been born on this date in 1832, was so much more.”
Their concise account of his adventurous life (including the reason he is featured on the day that might not have been his actual birthday) ends with this interesting speculation:
“In 2005, the British National Archives released a collection of late 19th-century secret service documents. There were several revelations, one being that Vamberry had served for over a decade as a foreign agent, providing information about the Turkish government and its relations with Austria-Hungary and Russia. Records reveal that he frequently asked for cash and was known for being ‘alarmist.’ One has to wonder if it was in this capacity that he ended up as one of Holmes’s ‘pretty little problems,’ sent to 221B by way of the Diogenes Club and a particular minor government official.”
Source:
Information provided by A Curious Collection of Dates by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”)
Posted by The Dynamic Duo Ron (JHWS Chips) and Beth (JHWS Selena)
On March 18th… The Man with the Watches
At five o’clock on the evening of the 18th of March in the year [1892] a train left Euston Station for Manchester. It was a rainy, squally day, which grew wilder as it progressed, so it was by no means the weather in which anyone would travel who was not driven to do so by necessity. The train, however, is a favourite one among Manchester business men who are returning from town, for it does the journey in four hours and twenty minutes, with only three stoppages upon the way. In spite of the inclement evening it was, therefore, fairly well filled upon the occasion of which I speak. The guard of the train was a tried servant of the company – a man who had worked for twenty-two years without a blemish or complaint. His name was John Palmer. (from “The Man with the Watches”, emphasis added)
“The Man with the Watches”, a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, appeared in The Strand magazine in July 1898, with illustrations by Frank Craig. It could be inferred that the detective in the story is Sherlock Holmes (though he’s never named), so the story is considered by some to be an extra-canonical case. It is one of the stories collected in Jack Tracy’s Sherlock Holmes: The Published Apocrypha. A review of that book by James O’Leary (JHWS “Pippin”) is available via our friends at I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere: Classics of Sherlockiana: the Apocrypha of Sherlock Holmes.
Sources:
Brought to our attention by A Curious Collection of Dates by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”). The full text of The Man with the Watches is available online.
Posted by The Dynamic Duo of Ron (JHWS “Chips”) and Beth (JHWS “Selena Buttons”)
On March 17th… Denis is Born
Denis Stewart Percy Conan Doyle was born on March 17, 1909, the third child of Arthur Conan Doyle, and the first child of his marriage to Jean Leckie. Arthur Conan Doyle originally suggested the name James Denis Pack Conan Doyle, honoring the baby’s maternal grandfather (James Blythe Leckie) and paternal grandmother’s family (the Packs). Arthur’s mother, however, insisted on the name Percy.
Arthur later wrote to his mother, “I have never seen so bright and intelligent a child. His head too is wonderfully formed. He will do deeds if he lives.”
Denis did live, marrying Georgian princess Nina Mdivani in 1936, working with his brother Adrian in managing the Conan Doyle estate, and enjoying motor racing and big game hunting. He died on March 9, 1955.
Source:
Information provided by A Curious Collection of Dates by by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”).
Posted by The Dynamic Duo of Ron (JHWS “Chips”) and Beth (JHWS “Selena”)
The Last of August (Book Review)
The Last of August
by Brittany Cavallaro
Katherine Tegan Books (February 2017)
336 p. ISBN 9780062398949
Publisher’s Summary
In the second brilliant, action-packed book in the Charlotte Holmes trilogy, Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are in a chase across Europe to untangle a web of shocking truths about the Holmes and Moriarty families.
Jamie and Charlotte are looking for a winter break reprieve in Sussex after a fall semester that almost got them killed. But nothing about their time off is proving simple, including Holmes and Watson’s growing feelings for each other. When Charlotte’s beloved Uncle Leander goes missing from the Holmes estate—after being oddly private about his latest assignment in a German art forgery ring—the game is afoot once again, and Charlotte throws herself into a search for answers.
So begins a dangerous race through the gritty underground scene in Berlin and glittering art houses in Prague, where Holmes and Watson discover that this complicated case might change everything they know about their families, themselves, and each other.
General Review
As noted in the publisher’s summary, this is the second book in the series, the first being A Study in Charlotte. I read the first book in the series shortly after it came out, and loved the worldbuilding of it all. The premise is that Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson are the latest Holmes and Watson, descended from the original Holmes and Watson.
That’s right- this is a modern story in which Sherlock Holmes and John Watson DID exist. Rather than the headscratching of “how did the modern detective novel come about without the influence of the original canon” or, alternatively, “why is no on remarking on the fact that they have the same names as the fictional detectives and are solving crimes together?” which accompanies most modern adaptations, this takes the logical presumption that The Game is true: they were real people, and they had families. It’s a fantastic premise, and I adored the first book, but there were certainly elements that I wasn’t as fond of, which continue in this book, to my dismay. (Spoilers: there is a poorly handled rape plot line in both books; consider this a warning for those who need it.)
I would strongly recommend that you read the first book before you attempt The Last of August. This book will make very little sense without it, and you will be completely lost. Even though I did read the first book, I regretted not rereading it before diving into this one, as there were moments where I was a bit lost nonetheless.
The second book begins with two family trees, those of Holmes and Moriarty (because if Holmes and Watson were both real people with families, it stands to reason that Moriarty was as well!). I lament the lack of Watson family tree, but the trees of Holmes and Moriarty will delight any reader, with their annotations by Charlotte. I long for the stories of each family member, who seem fascinating and complex all on their own.
Meeting Charlotte’s family is probably my favorite part of this book. Though we met her brother, Milo, in the first book, here we get to meet her mother and father, who are mysterious and odd in their own right. I am especially intrigued by her mother, and I hope we see more of her in the third book. We also finally- finally!- meet her Uncle Leander, the Holmes to Jamie’s father’s Watson. Leander is absolutely charming, a nice contrast to the prickly Charlotte and her distant parents. Leander is an easy character to love, and it is Charlotte’s adoration of her uncle that drives the mystery plot.
The mystery is complex, perhaps too much so. Much of the time I had to simply sit back and let the story go where it wanted to go, without attempting to solve the case along with our young detectives. Charlotte and Jamie go to Berlin in order to save Leander, and in doing so, we meet much of the Moriarty family. I am, happily, just as intrigued by the Moriarty family as I am by the Watson and Holmes families; the parallels between Holmes and Moriarty (the originals) have often been noted, but this novel basks in them, bringing them to the forefront. The plot is more spy thriller than mystery, but it was enjoyable, and very fun to watch both Charlotte and Jamie assume different personas in their attempts to unravel what has happened to Leander.
We also get to meet August Moriarty, a source of Charlotte’s angsty backstory. This is hardly a spoiler, given the title of the book. As this is a YA book, it is unsurprising that a bit of a love triangle is set up between August, Jamie, and Charlotte. Delightfully, August wants no part of this love triangle, a refreshing twist from the usual YA plot. I loved the moments where August and Jamie were able to speak with each alone, without Charlotte creating an emotional distortion field around Jamie’s POV- the pool scene, in particular, is one of my favorite scenes in the entire book.
Though I didn’t like the second book as much as I enjoyed the first, it was still a strong entry into the series. I’m very much looking forward to the third book, and I love the possibilities that are opened by the world the author created.
What About Our Watson?
Jamie Watson is hotheaded, wears his heart on his sleeve, and cares too much about everyone around him. In short, he is what one might expect from a young, teenage Watson. Charlotte owes much of her characterization to the BBC version of Holmes, but I would say Jamie draws from a number of different portrayals of Watson, including Nigel Bruce, H. Marion Crawford, and of course, ACD Watson.
Though he is clearly no deductive genius, Jamie is still an intelligent boy. He goes off on his own at a few points to try and find clues and evidence on the case they’re working on, and is moderately successful (this is no slam on Jamie; the other characters, too, are moderately successful in their individual attempts). He is clearly a bit of a dreamer, having his own ideas on what a partnership between a Holmes and a Watson should look like. He is also the brawns of the two, acting almost as Charlotte’s bodyguard at times, although Charlotte is capable to taking care of herself.
Jamie is, however, still very young, and exhibits the sort of flaws you might expect from a teenage boy. While he clearly cares deeply for Charlotte, much of his adoration comes across as self-centered; it may be hard for some readers to get through, especially given we spend much of this book in his POV. He can also be selfish, and jealous without cause. The relationship between he and Charlotte can be, for an adult reader, somewhat troubling because of some of these aspects of his personality.
I like Jamie quite a bit, and it’s fascinating to see what a very young, modern Watson might look like. A Watson without the various structures in his life to give him discipline and focus, and without time in general to give him experience, is a very unmolded Watson, but we can certainly see in Jamie how one could get from point A to point B. It will be interesting to see how he continues to grow in book three.
You Might Like This Book If You Like:
YA romance; BBC Sherlock; James Bond
Is there a book you want Lucy to review? Let her know!
On March 16… We Travel. Or Do We?
It was, then, in the spring of the year 1897 that Holmes’s iron constitution showed some symptoms of giving way in the face of constant hard work of a most exacting kind, aggravated, perhaps, by occasional indiscretions of his own. In March of that year Dr. Moore Agar, of Harley Street, whose dramatic introduction to Holmes I may some day recount, gave positive injunctions that the famous private agent would lay aside all his cases and surrender himself to complete rest if he wished to avert an absolute breakdown. The state of his health was not a matter in which he himself took the faintest interest, for his mental detachment was absolute, but he was induced at last, on the threat of being permanently disqualified from work, to give himself a complete change of scene and air. Thus it was that in the early spring of that year we found ourselves together in a small cottage near Poldhu Bay, at the farther extremity of the Cornish peninsula. [DEVI]
According to Guinn and Mahoney in A Curious Collection of Dates, the Adventure of the Devil’s Foot begins on March 16, 1897.
But! In Dorn’s A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes, the Adventure of the Devil’s Foot begins on April 8, 1897.
These two listings are contrary to each other as to when this case started. It is an example of one of my favorite controversies in Sherlockian scholarly world: Figuring out when each case occurred, based on clues picked up from the case and our outlandish Sherlockian minds. So, on we go, and we shall see if the chronology of Leah Guinn and Jaime Maloney and their volume disagree in other cases with the chronology of William Dorn and his volume.
Sources:
A Curious Collection of Dates by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”) and A Day by Day Chronology of Sherlock Holmes by William S Dorn DWNP, BSI
Posted by Ron aka “Chips” and Beth aka “Selena Buttons”, proud columnists for the John H Watson Society.
State of the John H Watson Society 2017
We are approaching the Society’s fourth birthday in April, and it has been a full year since I stepped into the role of “Boy in Buttons”. It has been a year of changes and challenges – some expected, and some not. I wanted to take a moment to look back, and then a moment to look forward.
Looking Back
During the last year, we made some significant changes to our membership structure. We moved from two-year memberships beginning at any time to annual memberships based on the calendar year. We introduced a Paperless Membership option, for those who prefer to receive publications in digital form. Membership beginning and renewal dates are now easily found on our Member Page. You can easily renew your membership, too.
Our members were active in the larger Sherlockian world in the last year, attending 221B Con in Atlanta, the Birthday Weekend Festivities in New York City, and “Watson Washington” in Seattle. The Society was a sponsor of “Watson Washington”, as well, and two of our members were Guests of Honor, while several members spoke on panels, including a very special panel called “A Society for our Dear Doctor”.
We published new titles in our Fiction Series and our Monograph Series, and we continued to publish our outstanding journal, The Watsonian, the next issue of which is currently in production.
Our website has been busy, with daily Tid Bits from Ron Lies (JHWS “Chips”) and regular book reviews by Elise Elliot (JHWS “Lucy”). Thanks to Margie Deck (JHWS “Mopsy”), several members were interviewed as part of our Friend & Biographer series, giving us a chance to get to know each other better. More of those interviews will be published in the coming months.
I am very proud of all that we have accomplished, and I look forward to the future of the John H Watson Society!
Looking Forward
As many of you know, the Watson Society has always been a labor of love from dedicated volunteers. The Society has no paid employees, and it has taken a team to keep everything running smoothly. That team has been fairly flexible, with folks stepping in as needed.
As we look toward the future, we are moving toward a more formal structure. We will be defining more of the leadership and board responsibilities and bringing some new people into those positions. Our long-time Treasurer, Andrea Stewart (JHWS “Asta”) has stepped down from the role and passed it on to our “Mopsy”.
Being an online society, with our membership spread far and wide, we hope to provide more opportunities for members to connect and communicate. Some possibilities are a full discussion forum here on the site, virtual hang-outs and video chats, and in-person meet-ups at larger events. We want to hear from you about what you want to see!
When I first found the John H Watson Society, I knew that it was the place I wanted to be. Don Libey, the original JHWS “Buttons”, made it a warm and welcoming site that valued both “the wisdom and background of great Sherlockians and the enthusiasm of those newly drawn to The Game”. We remain the open and inclusive worldwide online Sherlockian society, and we remain mostly about having fun. Thank you for joining, commenting, reading, and participating in whatever way you enjoy.
Best,
-Beth Gallego, “Selena Buttons”
On March 15th…
Joaquim de Almeida was born March 15, 1957, in Lisbon, Portugal.
In 2001, he played Sherlock Holmes in the Brazilian film O Xangô de Baker Street, based on the 1995 novel by Jô Soares (published in English as A Samba for Sherlock). He won a Portuguese Golden Globe for Best Actor for the role.
Source:
Information provided by the volume A Curious Collection of Dates by by Leah Guinn (JHWS “Amber”) and Jaime N Mahoney (JHWS “Tressa”).
Posted by The Dynamic Duo: Ron (JHWS “Chips”) and Beth (JHWS “Selena Buttons”)
Friend and Biographer Series: JHWS ‘Lucy’
Speaking of my old friend and biographer, I would take this opportunity to remark….Watson has some remarkable characteristics of his own, to which in his modesty he has given small attention…
Hello Watsonians,
Today we add to our series of brief biographic interviews with some of the members of JHWS. Our members, like the good Dr. Watson, have some remarkable characteristics of their own, and we would like to give some small attention to them.
We were lucky to have Elise Elliot join our ranks this past year. Her excellent book reviews are a welcome addition to our site. I am delighted to share Elise’s interview; I think you will enjoy reading it.
Margie/ JHWS ‘Mopsy’
————-
1. Name/with bull pup moniker—
Elise Elliot, ‘Lucy’
2. Current (city,state, country) location—
Columbus, OH
3. How long have you been a devotee of Dr. Watson?
I found the stories when I was twelve, during a bout of insomnia that lasted for almost a week. I picked the biggest book I could find from the library to keep me company during the night, and that happened to be the complete collection of canon. I’ve been a fan ever since.
As for Watson, I will admit that it took me a little longer to come around to the Good Doctor’s virtues. That happened in the past seven years or so, when I was twenty-one. We thank Bert Coules’ radio adaptations for that revelation.
4. Do you have a favorite canonical story?
Is it cheating to have a few? Probably… REGI, ILLU, and DEVI. There are great friendship moments in all of them, and in the latter two, wonderful depictions of compassion from Holmes and Watson, as well as a focus on what justice means to them.
5. What is your favorite quote from the canon?
“Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.”
6. If you could speak directly to anyone in the canon, who would you choose and why?
Kitty Winter. I confess an immense sympathy for her, a woman who found no justice in the justice system and so took her own revenge. I’m endlessly fascinated by what made her finally break, and how Holmes and Watson treated and viewed her. I think she would be an extremely interesting person to meet, and I’d like to hear her life story, from her. The story also indicates that she received a relatively light sentence, and I want to know what she does afterwards.
7. Are you fond of any particular canon adaptations—pastiche, radio, film?
So many! I love adaptations, and what they choose to keep, what they choose to discard, what they highlight, etc. I love Elementary and would be thrilled if more Holmesians and Watsonians would watch it- they highlight different aspects of the characters that sometimes aren’t as obvious in other adaptations. The radio dramas by Bert Coules, both the complete canon and the original stories; Merrison and Williams, and then Sachs, are as close to canon as it comes for me. I also have thoroughly enjoyed both of Sheldon Reynolds’ takes on the characters, the 1954 series starring Ronald Howard as Holmes and H. Marion Crawford as Watson, and then the 1979 series starring Geoffrey Whitehead as Holmes and Donald Pickering as Watson. Those series are a comfort watch for me; I like to watch them on stormy, gloomy days.
8. Do you have a local Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian group you meet with on a regular basis?
Unfortunately, no. I work in theatre, and much of my spare time is eaten up by that. I want to join one someday, but that won’t happen until I slow down a little!
9. Do you have any recent Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian projects/events you would like to tell us about?
I have been having a blast writing book reviews for the John H Watson Society website! I love reading pastiches, and it’s been so great to take that passion and transform it into something potentially useful for others.
I am a freelance copy editor as well, and recently began working with some Holmesian authors, looking over their work before it goes to print. It has been an honor to be trusted with their work, as well as a fun challenge.
10. If you had a magic wand, and could add, subtract, or change anything in your Watsonian/Sherlockian/Holmesian world, what would it be?
You know all those adaptations that have been lost to time? And all those adaptations that only available in certain countries because of Region differences in DVDs and the like? I want ALL of those adaptations in my eyeballs. I want them on my shelves. I want to be able to see them all the time, and none to have ever been lost or made unavailable.