"I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation."Don't we all feel a bit this way, we readers of Sherlock Holmes?
-- Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of Four, Chapter 1
Our daily lives are inevitably full of routine in the form of mundane but necessary tasks, schedules, and chores. It's a workaday existence much of the time. Sherlock Holmes escaped this daily humdrum through three-pipe problems and stimiulating adventures or, in his earlier years, through chemical means. You'll recall the famous ending of the case cited above -- "For me there is always the cocaine bottle."
Fortunately for us mere mortals who are not Sherlock Holmes, there is a more healthful means of escape readily at hand. Through the narratives of Dr. Watson, an exciting chase on the Thames or the moors is only a bookshelf (or a Kindle reader) away.
Thank you, Mr. Holmes. Because you transcended the ordinary, so can we.
Yes!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what would happen if Sherlock Holmes was born in the days of TV. Would he have been a couch potato? Escaping the dullness of routine existence by delving into the realm of fantasy via TV and books? Between interesting cases, would he be trolling online forums and completely addicted to his DVR? He has that obsessive personality. I could see him putting Lestrade on hold until the commercial and then ignoring TV until he solves the case. Or, if especially tricky, maybe it would be a three-Bridezilla-episodes problem? (That’s the most mindless, close-to-cocaine-numbing I can see – except maybe Jerry Springer. Course these are American shows…)
Love this post!