Another fun Sherlock Holmes pastiche, The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: War of the Worlds, originally published in 1975, has just been reissued by Titan Books and will be of interest not just to fans of Arthur Conan Doyle's detective but to ones of H.G. Wells ' works also.
Originally expanded from two short stories by authors Manly Wade Wellman and Wade Wellman, the novel has Holmes and Professor Challenger (Doyle's The Lost World) teaming up to investigate a strange alien artifact (an "egg") that becomes a harbringer of the alien attack so vividly detailed in Wells' original War of the Worlds. (Among other things, Holmes and Challenger deduce that the aliens aren't actually from Mars as previously believed!) The aliens' repeated assaults on Victorian London (using gas, light beams, etc.) are well detailed and exciting. You'll get a clear sense of the uncomprehending panic late 19th century citizens (except for our heroes) would've felt in the face of such an advanced and deadly invasion from another world.
Dr. Watson pops up late in the game (and has a blisteringly funny rebuke to Wells' original account) as does Challenger's "Boswell', Edward Dunn Malone, who gives the reader a more journalistic take on our heroes' plight. Holmes and Challenger as depicted here stay true to Doyle's characterzation; Holmes is warmer but cooly analytical when need be while Challenger is robust, loud, egocentric yet just as intelligent and resourceful as Holmes. Fans may not like how the Wellmans depict Holmes' relationship with longtime landlady Mrs. Hudson, however.
Lots of fun for any reader, The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: War of the Worlds can be reserved online here.
Leave a comment
We want to hear from you. Feel free to post comments, questions and other thoughts but please remember:
Please see our Comment Guidelines page for more information.