Close to Holmes
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Review
An old schoolmaster once gave me sound advice; - A sense of place is a fine way to learn your history! - This is so true of the canon too! Alistair Duncan has visited the significant Sherlockian and Doylean London locations and has shared his enthusiasms in this very readable guide, the first book to give equal attention to canonical locations and important places in the London live of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As an informed and unique addition to further our studies, it is a rare treat! Mr. Duncan's location chapters are easy to follow and he communicates the facts in an engaging and straightforward manner. It is as if an old friend is visiting London for the day and s/he and the author are enjoying a relaxed conversation whilst the latter points out, with great accuracy, important canonical and Doylean locations and their context. He is particularly helpful in his explanations of the south London 'Norwoods' (Lower/West; South; Upper and Norwood Junction) where much action happened. The author is again helpful in providing interesting background detail about senior Scotland Yard officers, the British Museum, the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, hotels, railway stations and many other people, places and organisations that Holmes and Doyle knew well. The writing is very well supported with over 140 black and white photographs, many showing how buildings looked over a hundred years ago and their appearance today. This is a delightful book, as useful on your reference shelves as in your pocket when on your field trip. --Sherlock Holmes Society of London Journal - Vol 29, No.2, Summer 2009, PP75
If London and its various 19th century connections (not just those associated with the great detective and the author) fascinate you, you will adore this book. Even if you have only a casual interest, this very readable and enthusiastic book will surely whet your appetite. --The Bookbag, Five out of Five Stars
If London and its various 19th century connections (not just those associated with the great detective and the author) fascinate you, you will adore this book. Even if you have only a casual interest, this very readable and enthusiastic book will surely whet your appetite. --The Bookbag, Five out of Five Stars
Product Description
The London of the late nineteenth century was home to both Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous detective - Sherlock Holmes. This book looks at some of the many locations in both central and outer London that have connections to one or both of these famous names. In addition to examining the history this book also looks at some of the theories that have been woven over the years around Holmes and these locations.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Over the years, there have been numerous books, essays and papers that examine the links between London, Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. Many of these are very worthy but seldom do they give equal attention to both Doyle and his legendary detective. I suspect that this reflects the reluctance of many Doylean and Sherlockian scholars to stray too far from their respective academic beats. Alistair Duncan is a refreshing exception to this general rule - he is a kind of scholastic chimera, who is equally at home with both Doyle and Holmes.
'Close to Holmes' is a marvelous mixed-grill of juicy morsels about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and South London. I made the error of reading this book on an airplane that had just departed from Heathrow. Two hours later, I reached my destination and felt utterly homesick - my every sinew ached to return to the metropolis so that I might explore it further in the company of Duncan's book. It particularly compelled me to try and retrace the route that Doyle might have walked between his home in Montague Place and his ophthalmic practice in Upper Wimpole Street (1891). It also beckoned me to travel to South Norwood in order to ascertain for myself why the local community does not do more to celebrate the fact that Doyle wrote nearly one-third of the Holmes tales whilst living there (1892-1894)!
'Close to Holmes' is compulsive reading for any Doylean or Sherlockian, expert and novice alike, who intends to visit London. This 213 page book is beautifully finished-off with original cover art by Phil Cornell and an astute foreword by Roger Johnson. My recommendation? Buy 'Close to Holmes', a pocket-sized 'A-Z Street Atlas of London' and a `3 Day Travelcard' and then commence a fascinating tour of the capital for less money than the admission charge to most local exhibits.
'Close to Holmes' is a marvelous mixed-grill of juicy morsels about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and South London. I made the error of reading this book on an airplane that had just departed from Heathrow. Two hours later, I reached my destination and felt utterly homesick - my every sinew ached to return to the metropolis so that I might explore it further in the company of Duncan's book. It particularly compelled me to try and retrace the route that Doyle might have walked between his home in Montague Place and his ophthalmic practice in Upper Wimpole Street (1891). It also beckoned me to travel to South Norwood in order to ascertain for myself why the local community does not do more to celebrate the fact that Doyle wrote nearly one-third of the Holmes tales whilst living there (1892-1894)!
'Close to Holmes' is compulsive reading for any Doylean or Sherlockian, expert and novice alike, who intends to visit London. This 213 page book is beautifully finished-off with original cover art by Phil Cornell and an astute foreword by Roger Johnson. My recommendation? Buy 'Close to Holmes', a pocket-sized 'A-Z Street Atlas of London' and a `3 Day Travelcard' and then commence a fascinating tour of the capital for less money than the admission charge to most local exhibits.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As the cover text suggests, there are three strands to this fascinating book: Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, and Victorian London. Of the first two I knew absolutely nothing before reading Close to Holmes, as I'm not a Sherlockian and confess I have never read a Holmes novel; of the third I had some knowledge, being a historian with a broad interest in our capital. However, I finished the book with a much greater knowledge of all three: an understanding of the essentials of Conan Doyle's life and career as it related to London; an introduction to many of the themes, sequences and events in the Holmesian "Canon"; and a vivid sketch of the social, literary and political atmosphere of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century London.
Alistair Duncan skilfully weaves these strands together as he guides the reader around the capital which Conan Doyle - and Holmes too, in his world - would have known, but he also brings the story up to date with biographical information about the locations involved, what they contained then and what is there now, what is known about them and the factual uncertainties which linger. Pubs, stations and hotels (amongst other locations) are transformed from buildings that we might otherwise pass without thought, into hotspots of history which the curious might pause at and enter. Copious photos and contemporary illustrations accompany the text.
Whilst, not being a Sherlockian, I'm unlikely to use the book to follow Conan Doyle's trail around the capital, Close to Holmes will be invaluable to others wishing to do so. Meanwhile my copy has taken up residence on my bookshelf as a literary quick-reference to Conan Doyle, a taster of what I might expect fictionally if I do eventually take a look into Holmes's world, and a fascinating introduction to London in the late Victorian era.
Alistair Duncan skilfully weaves these strands together as he guides the reader around the capital which Conan Doyle - and Holmes too, in his world - would have known, but he also brings the story up to date with biographical information about the locations involved, what they contained then and what is there now, what is known about them and the factual uncertainties which linger. Pubs, stations and hotels (amongst other locations) are transformed from buildings that we might otherwise pass without thought, into hotspots of history which the curious might pause at and enter. Copious photos and contemporary illustrations accompany the text.
Whilst, not being a Sherlockian, I'm unlikely to use the book to follow Conan Doyle's trail around the capital, Close to Holmes will be invaluable to others wishing to do so. Meanwhile my copy has taken up residence on my bookshelf as a literary quick-reference to Conan Doyle, a taster of what I might expect fictionally if I do eventually take a look into Holmes's world, and a fascinating introduction to London in the late Victorian era.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Close to Holmes: A Look at the Connections Between Historical London, Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The answer is a resounding "No." Anyone not aware of Holmes or Doyle could still enjoy this book. For fans, it's inevitable they will already be familiar with certain facts; but it is equally probable that even they will discover something new, and I thoroughly enjoyed this work. Every chapter contains something of interest. The footnotes are clearly marked, bibliography and index more than adequate and the photographs are superb. On the subject of those, the author does seem to have stretched a point. There's even one of Charlie Chaplin - and also (for Doctor Watson fans) an unfortunate cab driver with the evocative name 'Netley'. Who may or may not have driven Dr.Gull, who may or may not have been Jack the Ripper, round London. All the same, it would not be possible for an honest reviewer to do anything but recommend this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
CLOSE TO HOLMES
This book is full of surprises. Any Holmes fan will find it useful. Very interesting, full of research, and ideal for anyone wanting to explore the London of Sherlock Holmes. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by Mr. David Cookson
As much a historical and literary exploration as a travel guide
Extract from - The Newsletter of The Sherlock Holmes Society of London - The District Messenger, Edition 291, Feb 2009. Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2009 by S. Emecz
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