Praise and a (Gentle) Critique from Poland

Over the past several days, I’ve had the great pleasure of corresponding with Katarzyna Jabłońska and Karolina Kogut (Carrie Rooster), who are translating my short story “The Peculiar Persecution of John VincentHarden” into Polish. Based on their obvious great command of English, I’m sure it will be an excellent translation.

In one of her e-mails, Kat was very complimentary, but also had an interesting criticism. She wrote:

I must say I'm not surprised that you’ve won the prize for that story. As you were kind to mention the eleven elements that “the real” Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories should have, I find them all in your story. I read a few stories about Sherlock Holmes’ adventures written by fans and I must say I always felt that there was something missing there. It's hard to say what exactly was missing, but you can sense it.

Reading your story was a pure pleasure. Although I think your Sherlock Holmes is just a little bit too rough, even for Sherlock Holmes. I read a lot of ACD stories these days and I have to say that in the canon stories Sherlock was far more a gentleman. Even when he was mean to Scotland Yarders. Anyway, it doesn't make your story less worth. I think it's brilliant and I am happy I could read it and work on it.

Congratulations, because you got what the Sherlock Holmes stories are about. And for the first time since I read about Sherlock I can sleep well knowing that, although sir Arthur Conan Doyle is dead, there is still hope to read another story about Sherlock’s and Watson’s adventures – written by you.

All the best.

Katarzyna Jabłońska

(you can use Kate or Kat as my name)

If you’ve read the story, what do you think? Do I make “just a little bit too rough”? If you haven’t read the story, it’s available as a stand-alone story in all e-book formats. It’s also in my book of essays, stories, and radio plays, BakerStreet Beat.