When Kanon meets Canon...

[sherrie221]

the most delightful little tidbits are found!

I'd like to start a scavenger hunt, of sorts...

one treasure per post, where the armchair detectives in residence here cite instances where Kanon and Canon may have kissed in passing. Of course, the more obscure the better! And to show that I'm a sporting type, let me be the first to show my hand...

In "A Scandal in Bohemia", Watson finds Irene Adler's biography in Holmes' index next to "that of a Hebrew rabbi". A notable Hebrew rabbi whose name begins with the letter 'A'... could this be the rabbi Akiva much mentioned by Russell?

Who else is willing to play? :)

Sherrie

[vicki]

Oh, crikey--this looks way fun and I haven't read the Canon yet (not sure I want ACD's Holmes to mess up LRK's Holmes for me, anyway). Waaah--I canna play! :..(

[Strawberry Curls]

I'm sure what you are looking for should be something more obscure than this, but I will jump in.

In "His Last Bow" Holmes has been undercover, as an American named Altamont, to capture a German spy. Holmes has been on this case for two years and it ends in Aug. of 1914. Watson comments that Holmes has changed little "save for that horrible goatee."

In BEEK Russell, in her recitation of her observations of Holmes at their first meeting, April 1915, that he had a "vague area of pale skin on your chin, which shows that some time last summer you had a goatee..." She also speculates that he had been in disguise for some months "...spying against the Kaiser..."

This was obviously done by LRK to tie Canon to Kanon so I'm not sure this is what you want, but I offer it nevertheless.

[Strawberry Curls]

Oh, crikey--this looks way fun and I haven't read the Canon yet (not sure I want ACD's Holmes to mess up LRK's Holmes for me, anyway). Waaah--I canna play! :..(


I had only read a few of the stories from Canon and not in many many years when I started the Russell Books. I have taken up the Canon and read most of the stories now, but not all. I will always love LRK's Holmes, in fact Canon Holmes really annoys me, which is why I can't read the Canon straight through. I often finish a story and want to throw the book because of Holmes' behavior.

He was so totally self-centered and even cruel, at times, to Watson. In a recently posted pastiche over at LoM (if you are interested in joining the link is in one of these threads, but you can always contact me privately) a young girl comments that she is happy Holmes is nicer to Watson now, that he had been mean to him in the stories. Holmes answers, "One mellows with age, and there is Russell." I love that line because it totally explains the Holmes I hold dear, one who has been transformed by his love for Russell, to me that change, that love is the centerpiece of each of the Russell novels.

[Carlina]

Oh SC...you don't give Canon Holmes enough credit ;) . I guess my Holmes is cruel and self centered then? ;) Oh well...at least he changes...transmutes...slowly. I will say that after his "return," the canon Holmes was a little different. Some say he was more gentle in his nature. I think Reichenbach changed him. Something happened there that rocked him to the core...

C to K...elementary..Remember the emerald tie pin C Holmes got as a gift from the crown...well it appears in the Game...Its what holds Russell's sari together...I think..or perhaps that was something else from the canon..oh Drat!

What else...well there is Mrs. Hudson...Uncle John...oh and the Moor..that book clearly links canon to kanon, taking elements from the Baskerville case and weaving it right in. There's Baskerville Hall, the infamous painting that led Holmes to deduce Stapleton was a Baskerville in the Hound of the Baskervilles, the concept of the hound, oh and I could go on. My favourite quote..."Holmes I thought you were going to say on and on the ground were the footprints of a giantic hound" or something like that...then Holmes responds something like, what one earth no...it was the footprints of a rather large dog...

I don't think ACD's Holmes and LRK's Holmes would get along if they met in the bar...one would say the other is "far to emotional and married! Good grief man....." HA!

[Strawberry Curls]

Oh SC...you don't give Canon Holmes enough credit ;) . I guess my Holmes is cruel and self centered then? ;)


I do beg your pardon, Carlina, I should have said my perception of Canon Holmes -- as it truly is just my opinion. We have discussed this many times and will continue to do so, but I think our discussion of "your Holmes" should continue in private.

I do agree Canon Holmes did change a bit post Moriarty, but he is still not my cup of tea. It does allow for the idea of him continuing to change as he ages... possibility even into the Holmes that Russell meets on the downs.:rolleyes:

[sherrie221]

I know of another one, but instead of listing it, I'm gonna give a clue. :D

Look to the last scene before the postscript in MREG, and the very beginning of Canon...

Which one of you detectives will be the first to solve this little mystery?

Sherrie

[jtb1951]

According to Russell; apparently a reference to Watson's "bull pup" in A Study In Scarlet! :)
Thanks for the clue, Sherrie!!

John.

[Carlina]

I do beg your pardon, Carlina, I should have said my perception of Canon Holmes -- as it truly is just my opinion. We have discussed this many times and will continue to do so...

I was just teasing ya...hence the ;) . Either way the canon Holmes is still very dark, very moody, very brooding, quite the drug addict, and entirely arrogant..I agree. Then again it also depends on how you read him and who is portraying. Its odd..if you read A Study In Scarlett he's an entirely different man than what he would later become...seems Sir ACD had some characterisation issues...but we all know Holmes was based on Dr. Bell anyway..but what does that say about Dr. Bell :eek: !!

LRK's Holmes is more loveable..if you love a loveable Holmes...he is indeed. Yes..much calmer, more at peace, but I am very glad he still has his grating sardonicism and quirkiness...I do find him too perfect at times...entirely so. Even the canon Holmes made mistakes...However, I still like him and I think LRK did a nice job breathing new life into him. Had she not done so, I am quite certain he would have drugged himself to death :eek: ! And I really must stop using these blasted ...... so much...apologies...

[sherrie221]

According to Russell; apparently a reference to Watson's "bull pup" in A Study In Scarlet! :)
Thanks for the clue, Sherrie!!

John.

Bravo, John.

If you look at Russell's entire quote,"...And you smoke foul tobacco and get down in the dumps for days and mess about with chemicals, but I don't keep a bull pup."

and then in A Study in Scarlet, where Holmes says "You don't mind the smell of strong tobacco, I hope?" and "...I generally have chemicals about..." and finally "I get in the dumps at times, and don't open my mouth for days on end."

I find it hilarious that Russell makes such a strong reference to Canon, and it flies right past Holmes. I guess LRK is showing us that Holmes really had discounted ACD's writings, treating them as knowledge he had no need to store in his brain.

Now, does anyone else want to play?

Sherrie

[Carlina]

It could be too that Holmes was so caught up in the moment ;) !

[sherrie221]

It could be too that Holmes was so caught up in the moment ;) !

To the point of allowing "affairs of the heart" to interfere with the workings of that steel-trap mind? Perish the thought! ;)

Sherrie

[wsmvgn]

Yeah, and what on Earth does that mean? I don't blame Holmes for being puzzled.

[jtb1951]

Yeah, and what on Earth does that mean? I don't blame Holmes for being puzzled.

With the rest of the preceding phrase, it's a reference to the same terminology in A Study In Scarlet. According to some experts, a "bull pup" is Anglo/Indian slang for a fit of quick temper. (I had to look it up!)

John.

[sherrie221]

With the rest of the preceding phrase, it's a reference to the same terminology in A Study In Scarlet. According to some experts, a "bull pup" is Anglo/Indian slang for a fit of quick temper. (I had to look it up!)

John.

:confused: Now I don't know what to think. I took it literally - as in a bulldog puppy - even though no further mention is made of Watson having a dog at the Baker Street lodgings.

In my opinion, as regards the "fit of quick temper" explanation, I would think that Watson, and not Russell, would be the one who could claim to not "keep a bull pup." Watson was remarkably easy-going, both in Canon and Kanon.

Sherrie (can you tell I *love* to stir up a discussion?)

[Strawberry Curls]

[QUOTE=sherrie221;663] In my opinion, as regards the "fit of quick temper" explanation, I would think that Watson, and not Russell, would be the one who could claim to not "keep a bull pup." Watson was remarkably easy-going, both in Canon and Kanon./QUOTE]


Funny I understand the fit of quick temper part, but using the phrase "keep a bull pup" I always took to mean to hold a grudge or to brood. Therefore, not keeping a bull pup would definite be one of Watson's traits, and might describe Russell as she loves to have a verbal battle with Holmes but never seems to stay mad at him in regard to their exchanges. Just my random thought. "Don't keep a bull pup," don't hold a grudge or brood on something overmuch.

[sherrie221]

I guess this is another question we can hold until the book club discussion on MREG - to ask Ms. King and others how they see it.

Sherrie

[iq_two]

Wow, this is hard. I started looking through the Canon and I kept finding things that I thought could be things from the Kanon, only to turn out they were from other books.

[alina]

I started looking through the Canon and I kept finding things that I thought could be things from the Kanon, only to turn out they were from other books.

I understand completely! The Canon has completely changed the literary world's references! I kept thinking of this one reference to air guns but didn't realize it wasn't Kanon until I read its origin: a Lord Peter Wimsey novel. One of my favorites, too.