Sherlock Holmes and Me

While you may have thought, by the title, that this post would be about the countless mysteries I am solving, and how I am like a modern Sherlock Holmes.

It isn't.

It is simply about Sherlock Holmes in my modern life. It all began a few weeks ago when I returned this audiobook to the library (hilarious, by the way). However, it had taken me longer to finish it than I had it checked out for, and because of the many, many holds on it, I could not renew it. Therefore I just kept it longer. So after returning it and paying a$15.35 fine, I decided I better get another audio book to make it worth the large sum I had just paid to the library. So, I decided on this one. I had always wanted to read the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I think because of my history with the stories. Here are some things I remember:

• My dad had the complete copy. It was one of the biggest prettiest books we had. And it had this gold cowboy hat bookmark in it.
• My dad has punnily gone by Sheerluck Holmes as a nickname for as long as I can remember.
• I have watched all 39 episodes of this version. In less than a month.
• People have so many
  times asked if I was related to the celebrated sleuth, immediately exhibiting their ignorance at the fact that he was actually a fictional character.
• Wishbone. The dog. Need I say more?

So, it became my next book. And as I have listened I have realized a) how much I really love Sherlock Holmes, and b) that I know a lot more of his adventures than I realized.

Now many people have tried to portray the illustrious investigator on the big screen. A simple IMDB search turned up 22 hits (including an Italian version, a German version, and a Dutch version). While I believe Ronald Howard did a superb job, I have since seen few others even come close to my imagination (Robert Downey Jr. was way to intense. There was never so much action and so little intrigue in any SH story). So, when my friend highly recommended the latest BBC adaptation, I was quite reticent.

However, one day while waiting on laundry, I played it on Netflix. It is simply called "Sherlock" and it is AMAZING. While they post Sherlock and Watson in the 21st century, they maintain all of the characteristics of their relationship and the characters themselves. Even down to the fact that Watson is the only one who ever carries a gun and that Sherlock is an avid violin player.

I have been greatly impressed with the first season and am happy to report that there will be more.

It is currently streaming on Netflix.

Watch it.

Love it.