Customer Reviews

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: War of the Worlds

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Put on your CD (or vinyl copy) of The War Of The Worlds and crank up the volume. The Jeff Wayne/Rick Wakeman classic makes a great accompaniment to reading a well-done pastiche by a father-son writing team wherein H.G. Wells most famous story, The War Of The Worlds, is addressed through the eyes of two of Conan Doyle's great heroes: Sherlock Holmes and Professor Challenger ( The Lost World being the best account of the egotistic, rugged man of science).

Wells' story is tweaked a bit to accommodate this shift of viewpoint, but is expanded upon in a Victorian England as seen by a warmly human Holmes and a brilliantly analytic George Challenger. Holmes and Challenger are more scientific than Wells' narrator, and bring a more coherent theory about the Martians to bear in the struggle against the extraterrestrial invaders. Dr. Watson's contributions are not shortchanged here as they were in too many works in the original Canon. The thrills, suspense, and romantic angles are true to the period's style.

This is a pleasantly entertaining read by one of the best of the United States early science fiction writers. Check out John the Balladeer for some of his other work.

Before the term "steampunk" was even coined, this wonderful book by the Wellmans was published in 1975. And it's a wonderful example of the genre. I have an old paperback first edition, which I've carefully read and re-read since college, and it delights me every time.

Holmes and Doyle's not-quite-as-famous Professor George Challenger join forces during the Martian invasion of London, as first reported by H.G. Wells. It was a brilliant idea 34 years ago, and it seems every bit as brilliant today.

This book may not make old fogey Sherlockians happy, but it's a pleasure to finally have this "lost treasure" back in print for, I believe, the first time since its original publication.

This book continues the trend of recent years developing new Sherlock Holmes adventures,and blending his new exploits with famous people of his age or the stories and characters of other authors of his time. This, in itself is a great idea, and very entertaining when handled skillfully. However, this is only true when the new stories are generally in accordance with the world and characters created in the original canon.Unfortunately, whoever wrote this story did not comprehend Holmes' character and person at all. In this, Holmes is depicted as a conceited, boastful and shallow prig, where the original books always recognized him as a thoughtful, unassuming, and compassionate (in his own way) man, despite his intellectual brilliance. In addition, Holmes is pictured as kissing a woman passionately on the lips, which is completely out of character.Holmes was only interested in one very brilliant and intellectual woman (Irene Adler), and even that with a good measure of distrust and from always from a detached stance! To make matters worse, Watson, who forms such an effective counterpoint to Holmes in the original works is completely minimized.It's too bad that such a potentially exciting and interesting blend as that War of the Worlds and Holmes could not have been handled in a way more acceptable to those knowledgeable in the Holmes Cannon and invested in seeing this carried forward accurately by new authors. Hopefully, other will make more authentic and believable attempts to place Holmes (AND WATSON!) in some of H.G, Wells other science fiction adventures.

It's been many years since I read this book, but I do remember that I really enjoyed it. The original title was Sherlock Holmes's War of the Worlds. This was published in 1975. You can read further about it on Wikipedia. I always thought this would make a fun movie, and who know? Maybe if the Robert Downey, Jr., movie is successful, and with the reissuing of this book, it could be possible.

Since plot descriptions are already provided by others, I simply want to say that this is an excellent and thoughtful book totally in the tradition of any good Holmes pastiche, and I am very grateful that Titan is reissuing several Sherlock Holmes books that have been out of print. So far, I am very happy with their chosen titles and look forward to many more! I highly recommend these to everyone and hope that you enjoy them as much as I do!

I am sorry for some die hard Sherlockian fundamentalists who
constantly criticize books that offer even a slightly different view of Holmes. They need to remember that this is FICTION after all, and they might be much happier if they learn to enjoy each work on its own merits, as Doyle himself would have done.

Sherlock gone sci-fi. I never would have bought this book if I hadn't trusted the main author, Manly Wade Wellman, because the idea of a mashup between Sherlock Holmes and War of the Worlds seemed pretty far out there and I've read several Holmes novels that fell far short of Conan Doyle's work. I'm happy to report that this one works pretty well and I liked it, but if you like your Sherlock traditional then you'd better think twice because there are a number of changes here. Just as one example, Mrs. Hudson isn't the little elderly woman we're used to, and Sherlock's relationship with her definitely isn't what we're used to! This is a little more gory than I expected and a little less suspenseful but enjoyable overall. If you are a science fiction fan then this is your Sherlock reinterpretation.

A good Holmes pastiche is difficult to write. Watson's 'voice"--the literary style Doyle affected in writing the Holmes stories--is challenging for a post-Victorian writer.

But it is carried off here!

The idea for the novel is a good one, & it reflects the chaos of the Martian Invasion convincingly.

Doyle's other series hero, Professor Challenger, of "The Lost World" fame, appears as a major character here, and is also quite nicely handled.

Altogether---WELL DONE!

BTW--this was originally published decades ago. This re-release is quite welcome.
The Hipster gives it a Thumbs Up!

I enoyed this novel and found it to be entertaining enough to provide a reasonable alternative to prime time TV. For a short sci-fi novel it's quite well written, with a light poetic touch that enhances the narrative. Holmes fans may find it particulary interesting that the story references several Holmes adventures and characters from them. Characterization of the Challenger character is true to the original model of a rough-and-tumble egotistical genius. Good fun for fans of both.

Sherlock Holmes stories have thrilled millions by showing how Holmes' mental acuity could outwit any opponent. Any human opponent, that is. When the foes are the Martians, though, Holmes does what the rest of humanity does in this story...he runs and hides. There is no arena for him to use his prodigious mental powers in the way that we all enjoy. Oh, there are some surprises in this story, but nothing that is worth the price of the book. Borrow a friend's copy if you must, or check it out of a library, but don't buy your own copy.

Did the author's of this book even read a Holmes story in their entire lives? I don't think so. The so-called Sherlock Holmes in this story is not the character we have come to love. For starters, Holmes is not a particularly smart chap in this book. He makes no deductions whatsoever. Secondly (and this is the big one) he is in love with Mrs. Hudson! Throughout the novel he is kissing her and talking about how they shall have to be married soon. Give me a break! Holmes would have never done that. Sadly, Dr. Watson isn't treated well either making only the briefest of appearances in the middle and a short bit towards the end.

As to the plot itself, I must say that I was upset by the story. It was slowly paced beginning with Holmes and Professor Challenger (the character created by Doyle in the novel "The Lost World") being in contact with the aliens. And from there the rest of the story is consumed by people running hither and thither about the countryside. (Yawn)

In their prologue, the author's wrote that H.G. Wells' novel was similar to "The Horla" by Guy de Maupassant - it isn't. It is sad since I was hoping to read something like that in this story. But, alas I did not. So in all, if you are a H.G Wells fan than go ahead and read this book. I think you'll find it an interesting variation of Wells' classic. If you're a Holmes fan than avoid. This is not the Sherlock Holmes we have come to love.

As a footnote, "The Horla" was turned into a movie called "Diary of a Madman" which featured Vincent Price. The movie is not bad, but certainly not Price's best. It pops up on T.V once and awhile, so if you're interested hunt it down. It was much more enjoyable than this book.