Sayers on Holmes [Paperback]

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2001

Sayers on Holmes collects the writings of Dorothy L. Sayers on the subject of Sherlock Holmes. In "Sherlock Holmes and His Influence," Sayers examines how the Sherlock Holmes stories affected the genre of detective fiction. In "The Dates in 'The Red-Headed League'" she discusses the contradictory dates in the Holmes story. In "Holmes' College Career" Sayers determines which university Holmes attended--Oxford or Cambridge--and speculates on a birth year for Holmes. "Dr. Watson's Christian Name" represents an effort by Sayers to solve the problem that Watson is called by different first names in different Holmesian stories. "Dr. Watson, Widower," is concerned with the speculation on Dr. Watson's possible multiple marriages. In addition, published here for the first time is the script she wrote for a radio production, "A Tribute to Sherlock Holmes on the Occasion of his 100th Birthday," in which the young Lord Peter Wimsey consults Sherlock Holmes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dorothy L. Sayers, 1893-1957

Product Details

• Paperback: 66 pages
• Publisher: Mythopoeic Pr (August 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188772608X
• ISBN-13: 978-1887726085
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,148,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting collection of Holmesian speculation, February 28, 2002

By 

Allyn Gibson (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sayers on Holmes (Paperback)

A collection of Sayers' scholarly writings on Sherlock Holmes, Sayers on Holmes belongs in the libraries of fans of both Sayers and Holmes. Some of the essays may be familiar through other collections, but no other book collects all of her Holmesian writings together, and the discerning reader can sense a keen mind at play with the intricacies of the Holmesian canon. The highlight of this book is the final selection wherein Lord Peter Wimsey, Sayers' famous detective creation, relates an episode from his childhood where he hires Holmes to find his lost pet cat. A delightful story, it captures a feeling of true whimsey (pardon the pun). Recommended.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly look at Holmes by another great writer, March 14, 2002

By 

R. Riis "rriis" (NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sayers on Holmes (Paperback)

A compilation of the writing of Dorothy Sayers on Sherlock Holmes, and who should know more about mystery writing than Sayers? For those who enjoy scholarly writing and speculation on the character and cases of Holmes, this is first-rate stuff. The Lord Peter Whimsey / Holmes radio play is an interesting pastiche. At 66 pages, though, this is one thin book. Eight dollars sure doesn't go as far as it used to....

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Sherlockian pastiche ever written, January 30, 2011

By 

Philip K. Jones (St. Clair Shores, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sayers on Holmes (Paperback)

I maintain the database of Sherlockian pastiches, parodies and related fiction and I am frequently asked to write about the better Sherlockian pastiches of which I am aware. I usually decline, citing the difficulties of comparing styles and approaches to pastiche writing and the differences in tastes and preferences among writers. Some writers are better than others at the game of imitating Doyle, but most make an honest effort to present a story in the style of the Canon.

Dorothy Sayers has taken a young Lord Peter Wimsey as the client for a Sherlock Holmes mystery in her "The Case of the Missing Kitten" which appears in this book. To my mind, this tale accurately captures the essence of The Master as Holmes accepts the young Lord Peter's case and his money. He takes Lord Peter seriously and he treats him as he would an adult with an importatnt problem, which this is to Lord Peter. His solution is ingenious and his actions honor the serious nature of Peter's problem. This is the best pastiche I know of and I have more than 5,500 in my personal collection.