RARA-AVIS: Hardboiled Holmes

From: dgreene@odu.edu
Date: 08 Sep 2001


It's interesting to note that Anthony Boucher's THE CASE OF THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS divides mysteries between Holmes and his successors and the hardboiled style. I think Boucher was right. No matter how one defines hardboiled, I think the lack of acceptance of the values and institutions of the society is fundamental--and that took World War I. Holmes may break laws and snub noblemen but only to assert late Victorian values. Like his creator, Holmes was fundamentally a gentleman.

Doug G

Douglas G. Greene Professor of History Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23529-0091 Phone 757 683-3949

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