Thanks to iBooks, I’ve been doing a lot of ‘light reading’ and I’m loving it. The subject of the light reading has been Sherlock Holmes.
I had read Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s detective and used to like them lots. Sherlock, arguably, takes it up a notch. I love his casual swagger and focus on the absolute basics. I must admit that the fact that my guesses of the criminal and nature of the crime have been right 70-80% of the time and that has definitely increased my enjoyment. As a friend rightly point out, in Holmes’ case, you get to see most clues that help him solve the problem. (That was not the case with Poirot)
The other fact that adds to the fun is a knowledge of London. I can mentally picture most locations mentioned in the book, their journeys and the like. It’s amazing to think that they talk of taking the same underground 130 odd years ago as I’ve taken many a time in the past 1 and a half years.
So, for today, I thought I’d share a short exchange I bookmarked from the ‘The Adventure of The Noble Bachelor’. Lord St Simon, a haughty British noble meets Holmes and tries to point out that Holmes should count himself fortunate to have someone of his ‘class’.
“A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort sir, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of society.”
“No, I am descending.”
“I beg pardon.”
“My last client of the sort was a king.”
“Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?”
“The King of Scandinavia.”
“What! Had he lost his wife?”
“You can understand,” said Holmes suavely, “that I extend to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you in yours.”
I felt like I had to clap when I read this!
Are you a Holmes or Poirot fan? Are there any fictional characters you love? Look forward to hearing about it in the comments.
A Learning a Day 