This was one of my favorite short stories from the book. I've been a Sherlock Holmes fan since we read some of the original stories in school. I found out that this story was also published in another book that I own but haven't had a chance to read yet called A Study in Sherlock.
One thing that I liked was how it specifically referenced one of Doyle's stories. I couldn't remember it when I was reading, but the references within the letter seemed to be alluding to something, so I looked it up. "The Case of Death and Honey" mentions Professor Presbury, who is a character in "The Adventure of the Creeping Man." This story is from The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes, one of the later books. It is basically about an older man who takes a drug that gives him renewed energy while also causing him to assume some of the traits of a monkey, from which the drug is derived. In the story we read, we are supposed to conclude that these facts have actually been changed, presumably from something having to do with bees.
I found that one commentary called the original "risible science fiction." Admittedly, "The Adventure of the Creeping Man" is pretty far fetched. (Holmes calls the additions "fanciful" in "The Case of Death and Honey.") Still, I think it's interesting to call it science fiction at all. I had never considered Sherlock Holmes as science fiction and was surprised when we read this for a science fiction class.
Anyway, just some more things to think about in relation to this story.
I had always believed, similarly to you, that Sherlock Holmes was not a work of science fiction. I had clearly defined it as a work of mystery. After pondering the inclusion of "The Case of Death and Honey" in a science fiction anthology though, I can begin to understand why it might be considered as such. I think that Sherlock's powers of deduction are of science fiction nature of themselves. If SF stories can be written about proven mathematical theories that seem beyond our comprehension, why not the powers of observation?
ReplyDeleteIt makes since in a way that Sherlock Holmes could be classified as both mystery and science fiction. Some of the cases that he solves and the way he solves them do somewhat push the bounds of reality. Also I think the writer changed the facts of Professor Presbury's drug making it lethally toxic. I think the idea was that he would have the bees use plant extract mixed with a sugar solution to create honey. If you can find the right bees the honey could keep the life giving properties of the plants without the toxicity.
ReplyDeleteI agree that "The Case of Death and Honey" could be both science fiction and mystery. That is what is great about science fiction; it can include any number of genres such as mystery, horror, or romance but still have a strong sci-fi element to it.
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