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Welcome! Like the book of the same name, this blog is an eclectic collection of Sherlockian scribblings based on more than a half-century of reading Sherlock Holmes. Please add your own thoughts. You can also follow me on Twitter @DanAndriacco and on my Facebook fan page at Dan Andriacco Mysteries. You might also be interested in my Amazon Author Page. My books are also available at Barnes & Noble and in all main electronic formats including Kindle, Nook, Kobo and iBooks for the iPad.

Monday, June 17, 2013

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.  

4 comments:

  1. Gosh, that's the best kind of criticism, from someone who understands what you've created and feels honest enough to say something ever so slightly negative in order to givethe review that necessary Persian flaw. You don't want someone who gushes about every aspect of a story, after all. It makes one blush.

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  2. As I said, I love it when Holmes is rude, the way I love when House is rude. Being rude to mundane people with "funny little brains" is a privilege of a true genius.

    Carrie Rooster

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  3. Well, thank you, Dan and virtualight. And Carrie.
    It is written in Polish, but I am sure you will recognise the cover: http://duzeka.blogspot.com/2013/06/idziemy-za-ciosem.html

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