Discover the Underrated History of Sherlock Holmes’ Fan Fiction Legacy

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Complex Relationship with Sherlock Holmes

It may come as a surprise, but Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, had a deep-seated resentment towards his own creation. While Holmes gained Doyle widespread acclaim and financial success, the character also represented a substantial obstacle in his literary career.

The Origins of Doyle’s Discontent

In her enlightening documentary series, Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle, historian and presenter Lucy Worsley delves into the intricate reasons behind Doyle’s aversion to his most famous character. Emerging from a background of financial instability, Doyle aspired to elevate his social standing and establish himself as a distinguished literary figure. Paradoxically, he perceived Holmes as a “low-brow, trashy”persona that hindered his potential to engage with the elite circles of British society. Through Worsley’s insights, it’s clear that Doyle’s feelings about Holmes were complex, to say the least.

The Inevitable Financial Ties

Despite his disdain, Doyle could not escape the financial grip of his detective. After attempting—albeit unsuccessfully—to kill off Holmes in The Adventure of the Final Problem, he found himself increasingly reliant on the character for income, as none of his other literary endeavors gained similar popularity. Ultimately, Doyle was compelled to resurrect Holmes, solidifying the detective’s role as an enduring literary and cultural icon.

The Enduring Legacy of Sherlock Holmes

Today, it’s nearly impossible to envision a world devoid of Sherlock Holmes. The character has inspired a vast array of adaptations and reinterpretations that have redefined our understanding of the detective. Whether through literature, film, or even fan fiction, Holmes continues to captivate audiences across various platforms, ensuring his legacy is far from extinguished.

The Rise of Fan Fiction: An Affectionate Tribute

In contemporary culture, fan fiction has emerged as a beloved medium for enthusiasts to explore and expand upon established narratives. This creative outlet allows writers and readers alike to delve deeper into the worlds and characters they cherish. Sherlock Holmes, unsurprisingly, has become a central figure in this literary phenomenon.

On Archive of Our Own, one of the largest repositories for fan-created content, the “Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms” category features close to 137,000 distinct works. Furthermore, the specific category for the BBC adaptation, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, hosts over 120,000 fan-created stories—surpassing even major franchises like J.R.R. Tolkien’s works and A Song of Ice and Fire.

The Historical Context of Sherlock Holmes Fan Fiction

The roots of Sherlock Holmes fan fiction can be traced back to the very time Doyle was alive. Following the detective’s fictitious death, fans began crafting their own stories as a means of coping with their loss. Notably, Tit-Bits magazine even initiated a competition encouraging readers to contribute their own Sherlock tales, marking an early instance of community-driven fan fiction.

In an eye-opening conversation featured in Worsley’s documentary, Dr. Clare Clarke, an assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin, remarked:

“This period is really the first time we get a community coming together in pursuit of a kind of fan-fiction culture.. .. This publisher was inviting the reading public to really have a very active participation in the creation of the Sherlock myth.”

Fan Fiction as Wish Fulfillment

Worsley and Clarke both highlight that readers engage with fan fiction as a form of “wish fulfillment,” allowing them to place Sherlock in scenarios and genres outside of Doyle’s original narratives. Interestingly, Clarke noted that Doyle himself had a somewhat accepting view of this trend; he was weary of writing Sherlock and appreciated the influx of ideas from his audience.

Reflecting on Now: The 21st Century Adaptations

If Doyle had been aware of modern adaptations, including the likes of Enola Holmes and Elementary, one might speculate that he would have mixed feelings. In Worsley’s analysis, she suggests that Doyle may have preferred adaptations that focused on his own life rather than reinterpretations of Sherlock Holmes.

“I think that he would be kind of furious that those projects were getting made and not the biopic of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and all of his achievements.”

The Unforeseen Cultural Phenomenon

When Arthur Conan Doyle penned his first Sherlock Holmes story in 1887, he could hardly have envisioned the vast cultural impact the character would embody. Today, Holmes stands as a testament to the complexity of storytelling, continually inspiring new generations of writers, creators, and fans, all rooted in the rich soil of shared literary history.

For those interested in exploring the fascinating dynamics between Doyle and his infamous detective, Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle will premiere on PBS on December 8, with new episodes releasing weekly until December 22. Viewers in the UK can catch the entire series, titled Killing Sherlock: Lucy Worsley on the Case of Conan Doyle, on BBC iPlayer.

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