Some of us are thinking about Sherlock Holmes more than is perhaps seemly these days and so it seemed a good time to finally grab this very short novella, The Final Solution: A Story of Detection, off my shelves. I should have known after prior experience that Michael Chabon would pen a story both emotional and intelligent, this being the tale of the unnamed detective's decline into being, well, simply something less than he once was.
Though his name is never spoken, our elderly recluse with a stellar reputation and a penchant for bees is obviously none other than Sherlock Holmes. And when he is asked to look into a murder and the disappearance of a beloved bird, he attempts to step back into his well-accustomed role. And while it's true that he is still more capable than most anyone else, he also starts to experience the new limitations of his body and mind.
This was such a beautiful meditation on Holmes and his legacy and his inevitable decline. One can only muse on what it would be like to lose even a touch of one's genius to the aging process. It almost makes one understand why Holmes would choose to die young if given the chance (or would he?).
Unraveling the mystery of identity,
K
I really liked Chabon's non-fiction, but I haven't had much success with his fiction yet. One day!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really easy read and since it's based on an existing character, I think it might be a good one for you to start with. I actually haven't read any of his non-fic yet. I need to get on that!
DeleteI read this a few years ago, back to back with Mitch Cullin's A Slight Trick of the Mind, both featuring older Holmes. Both were good, but Chabon wins out.
ReplyDeleteChabon is an amazing writer, isn't he? I'll have to look for that other book. I haven't heard of it!
DeleteChabon's name keeps coming up. I may have to try this book (as I also have more than seemly thoughts about Sherlock these days!)
ReplyDeleteThis would be a good place to start as it's only a novella but you will get a good idea about his storytelling talent!
DeleteHmmm. My experience with Chabon's fiction has been difficult. This sounds like something I would enjoy, but I'm a bit gun-shy to try this author again.
ReplyDeleteI think that the dual nature of it being a novella and a sort of fan fiction might make it a good one to try. But I know what that's like. It's tough to pick up anything by a certain author after a bad reading experience.
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