Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes by Maurice LeblancMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lupin encountered Sherlock Holmes in the first collection of his adventures, but after legal objections by Conan Doyle the name was changed to "Herlock Sholmes" for reprints and in this second volume. This gives Leblanc license to be parodic, and this is not the Holmes of Conan Doyle; the imperturbable Englishman now struggles to control his rage, including at the frequent incompetence of his sidekick Wilson (who doesn't appear to be a doctor; he wouldn't be bright enough). Wilson has the pathetic devotion of a dog to Sholmes, who treats him worse than a dog, being completely unconcerned when Wilson is (repeatedly) injured in his service. He's still an unequalled detective, but is fooled by the criminal Lupin more than once.
In the end, both characters enjoy triumphs over each other, but neither decisively wins, which is as it should be to preserve their main schtick of being highly competent at their respective occupations. And we get to see a Lupin who sometimes helps people out when he feels they deserve it, and a Holmes whose interference can have negative consequences as well as positive. It's interesting, too, to read a Frenchman's take on the British national character, which is quite different from a British person's of the time.
The overly broad satire, for me, brought it down to the lowest tier of my Best of the Year, but it's still a recommendation, and I'm now reading the next in the series.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment