Tag Archives: Sherlock Holmes

“Flashman”

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I just finished the first volume of George MacDonald Fraser‘s high-spirited and rollicking The Flashman Papers series. For those new to the books, the series of 19th century historical novels chronicles the exploits of an English army officer and self-described … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged 1893 Chicago World's Fair, Afghanistan, Allan Quartermain, alternative literary history, Arthur Conan Doyle, Aubrey-Maturin, boys' own adventures, Brigadier Gerard, British Empire, C.S. Forester, Don Quixote, Douglas Adams, East India Company, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Edward Said, Feminism, Flashman, Game, genre fiction, George MacDonald Fraser, H.R. Haggard, historical fiction, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Horatio Hornblower, Ian Fleming, India, indigenous warlords, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, James Bond, James Ellroy, Joseph Conrad, Kabul, Lord of the Rings, men's fiction, n-word, Orientalism, P.G. Wodehouse, Patrick O'Brian, Professor Challenger, public doman, publishing, Robinson Crusoe, sexy native girls, Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan | 28 Comments

Michael Chabon Likes Genre Fiction, Punts on Endorsing It

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In a recent NYT interview of Michael Chabon for the Book section, the following exchange took place: You can suggest three books to a literary snob who believes genre fiction has no merit. What’s on the list? … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged Cormac McCarthy, Elmore Leonard, genre fiction, Henry James, Ian Fleming, Joseph Conrad, literary fiction, Michael Chabon, missing the point, New York Times Book Section, Ray Bradbury, Sherlock Holmes | 5 Comments

The Brits Really Know How to Design a Book Cover

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: My copy of Nassim Taleb’s Fooled by Randomness arrived today to match my copy of The Black Swan. I specifically tracked down the UK editions b/c the covers are so wonderful. Bold, colorful, hazy, eye-catching. They have a visually consistent … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Commercial art | Tagged Coralie Bickford-Smith, David Pearson, Nassim Taleb, Penguin, Random House, Sherlock Holmes | 1 Comment

Book Notes: Sherlock Holmes

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “There’s the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.” Everyone knows the character, but have you ever read … Continue reading →