Jennifer Petkus's Blog, page 9
January 18, 2013
Sherlock Holmes: Past and Present
This information I have just received from Roger Johnson, editor of The Sherlock Holmes Journal: Sherlock Holmes, Past and Present This conference offers a serious opportunity to bring together academics, enthusiasts, creative practitioners and popular writers in a shared discussion about the cultural legacy of Sherlock Holmes. The Strand Magazine and …
Mr. Collins’ blunder
He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled on each other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins’s admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture, were examined and praised; and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s heart, but for …
January 15, 2013
éclat:
This is a word that I have to look up every single time, for I keep confusing it with élan, éclair and en clair and various other French words. My Mac’s dictionary tells me: éclat |āˈklä|noun brilliant display or effect : she came into prominence briefly but with éclat. • social distinction or conspicuous success : such action bestows more éclat upon a warrior than success by other means. …
January 11, 2013
Brain fever:
Brain fever afflicts several characters in the Canon, most notably Mrs. Barclay in The Crooked Man and Percy Phelps in The Naval Treaty. What is it? According to a New York Times article and a wikipedia entry, it’s a catchall diagnosis that only vaguely refers to the a swelling of …
January 10, 2013
The Adventure of the Crooked Man
An illness prevented me from attending the most recent Outpatients’ Meeting of Doctor Watson’s Neglected Patients, which disappointed me because I wanted to discuss The Adventure of the Crooked Man. This is one of the stories that from an objective view, doesn’t seem as if it has much to offer, …
Under construction
Dear Readers, Let me apologize if you encounter some disruptions here at My Particular Friend. I’m changing the WordPress theme and things may look very odd for a time, but bear with me and pardon the dust. Thanks, Jennifer Petkus
January 9, 2013
Taking the 2013 P&P Bicentenary Challenge
Laurel Ann Natress at AustenProse.com has suggested a Pride & Prejudice challenge to mark the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s second published and most well-know book. From AustenProse: Time-line: The Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013 runs January 1, through December 31, … Continue reading →
January 8, 2013
Smithsonian Journeys Downton Abbey themed excursion
If you’ve got a spare $6,995, think about taking a trip with Smithsonian Journeys May 4—12, 2013, and visit many of the filming locations of Downton Abbey, which includes Highclere Castle (the Downton stand-in) and the village of Bampton, the … Continue reading →
January 3, 2013
DWNP events in January
Doctor Watson’s Neglected Patients will have two events this month: our regular Outpatients Meeting Jan. 6 which as usual will be at Pints Pub, 221 West 13th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204, 303-534-7543; and our Holmes Birthday Dinner Jan. 27 at Stonebrook Manor 650 East … Continue reading →
Re-evaluating Mansfield Park
Even a hard-core Janeite, pressed to rank Austen’s novels, will probably list Mansfield Park in fifth or sixth place, and many of Austen readers will rank it last. Regardless of its merits, there has to be a last place and … Continue reading →
