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Sherlock Holmes Through Time and Space
In this outstanding collection of Sherlockian tales, the master of detection solves the most fantastic cases of his career. Herein are answered questions which have plagued loyal readers for decades, including: What is the truth about the mysterious menace of Sumatra? What occurs when Holmes must pursue an extra-terrestrial? Stories by authors: Isaac Asimov, Poul Anderson, Gordon R. Dickson, Philip Jose Farmer; Sterling Lanier, Gene Wolfe, Edward Wellen and others, for your amusement and edification.
(back cover)
Introduction: Sherlock Holmes / Isaac Asimov --
The Adventure of the devil's foot / Arthur Conan Doyle --
The Problem of the Sore Bridge among others / Philip Jose Farmer --
The Adventure of the global traveler / Anne Lear --
The Great dormitory mystery / F.N. Farber --
The Adventure of the misplaced hound / Poul Anderson & Gordon R. Dickson --
The Thing waiting outside / Barbara Williamson --
A Father's tale / Sterling E. Lanier --
The Adventure of the extraterrestrial / Mack Reynolds --
A Scarletin study / Philip Jose Farmer --
Voiceover / Edward Wellen --
The Adventure of the metal murderer / Fred Saberhagen --
Slaves of silver / Gene Wolfe --
God of the naked unicorn / Richard Lupoff --
Death in the Christmas hour / James Powell --
The Ultimate crime / Isaac Asimov.
(back cover)
Introduction: Sherlock Holmes / Isaac Asimov --
The Adventure of the devil's foot / Arthur Conan Doyle --
The Problem of the Sore Bridge among others / Philip Jose Farmer --
The Adventure of the global traveler / Anne Lear --
The Great dormitory mystery / F.N. Farber --
The Adventure of the misplaced hound / Poul Anderson & Gordon R. Dickson --
The Thing waiting outside / Barbara Williamson --
A Father's tale / Sterling E. Lanier --
The Adventure of the extraterrestrial / Mack Reynolds --
A Scarletin study / Philip Jose Farmer --
Voiceover / Edward Wellen --
The Adventure of the metal murderer / Fred Saberhagen --
Slaves of silver / Gene Wolfe --
God of the naked unicorn / Richard Lupoff --
Death in the Christmas hour / James Powell --
The Ultimate crime / Isaac Asimov.
355 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1984
15 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,337 books27.8k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 4, 2007
As the title would suggest, this is a collection of sci-fi takes on the Great Detective. As with any anthology, the stories varied in quality—there was, for example, an interesting story about a time traveling Moriarty and an intriguing tale about a Holmes who may (or may not) have succumbed to senility. Mostly, though, there wasn't enough Sherlock Holmes in a collection that was nominally all about him! Instead there were stories about an alien race that has modeled itself after Victorian England (including a Holmes stand-in), or a highly-intelligent dog that solves crime, or a pair of children with the power to to evoke fictional creatures like the Hound of the Baskervilles to kill their parents. Okay, fine. But what I wanted was explorations of Holmes' (and Watson's) character, through the wonderful, slightly-distorted lens that sci-fi tropes can provide. I wanted to see Holmes' wonderful mind react to time travel or alien life; I want to see his and Watson's friendship stand the test of time and space, as promised by the title. But unfortunately, this collection remained sadly earthbound.
Much better is Neil Gaiman's "A Study in Emerald" which, fortunately, is available online: [http://www.neilgaiman.com/exclusive/s...].
Much better is Neil Gaiman's "A Study in Emerald" which, fortunately, is available online: [http://www.neilgaiman.com/exclusive/s...].
July 9, 2018
La presente antología nos muestra una serie de pastiches holmesianos que no intentan imitar los originales de Conan Doyle, sino que buscan su orientación hacia la ciencia ficción y la literatura fantástica. Como casi toda antología, la calidad es irregular, aunque la mayoría me han gustado bastante.
Estos son los relatos incluidos en ‘Sherlock Holmes a través del tiempo y el espacio’ (Sherlock Holmes Through Time and Space, 1984, en el que se incluye un relato que no está en la edición española):
La aventura del pie del diablo, de Arthur Conan Doyle. El libro se abre con un clásico, donde, según como se mire, es posible que haya algún elemento fantástico.
El problema del puente dolorido (entre otros), de Philip José Farmer. Estupendo relato donde se da una explicación a tres casos no cerrados por Holmes.
La aventura del viajero global, de Anne Lear. Interesante relato con Moriarty y paradojas temporales.
El gran misterio de la residencia estudiantil, de Sharon N. Farber. Relato corto, bastante flojo, con unos estudiantes atropellados misteriosamente.
La aventura del sabueso impostor, de Gordon R. Dickson y Poul Anderson. Este par de grandes escritores nos muestran a los hoka mezclados con Holmes. Un par de humanos que investigan a un peligroso traficante, se dirigen al plante de los hokas, concretamente a una Inglaterra victoriana basada en los relatos de Conan Doyle. Gran relato.
La cosa que esperaba fuera, de Barbara Williamson. Interesante relato con tintes holmesianos, aunque Holmes no aparece.
Un cuento de padre, de Sterling E. Lanier. El Brigadier Ffellowes narra a unos conocidos una historia que le contaba su padre. La historia transcurre en las costas de Sumatra, con descripciones fantásticas. Es el relato que más he disfrutado de la antología.
La aventura del extraterrestre, de Mack Reynolds. Otro estupendo relato, donde se nos presenta a un Holmes envejecido y decrépito, y a Watson cuidando de él.
Un cuento en escarlatina, de Philip José Farmer. Se nos presenta a Ralph Von Wau Wau, un perro parlante y con gran inteligencia, que actuará de detective. Simpático y divertido relato.
La aventura del asesino de metal, de Fred Saberhagen. Relato perteneciente al universo Berserker, que no ha terminado de gustarme.
Esclavos de plata, de Gene Wolfe. Tenemos a un Holmes (March B Street en el cuento) humano y a un Watson (Westing) como robot biomecánico. Wolfe me gusta, pero este relato no.
El dios del Unicornio Desnudo, de Richard A. Lupoff. El protagonista esta vez es el doctor Watson, que será requerido para ayudar a una serie de personajes: Doc Savage, Flash Gordon, La Sombra, etc. Buen relato, aunque parece que se queda corto.
Muerte en la hora de Navidad, de James Powell. Este va de juguetes victorianos y no me ha gustado.
El crimen definitivo, de Isaac Asimov. Relato incluido en el universo de Los Viudos Negros, donde se teoriza sobre el libro mencionado en el Canon ‘La dinámica de un asteroide’, escrito por Moriarty. Gran relato.
Estos son los relatos incluidos en ‘Sherlock Holmes a través del tiempo y el espacio’ (Sherlock Holmes Through Time and Space, 1984, en el que se incluye un relato que no está en la edición española):
La aventura del pie del diablo, de Arthur Conan Doyle. El libro se abre con un clásico, donde, según como se mire, es posible que haya algún elemento fantástico.
El problema del puente dolorido (entre otros), de Philip José Farmer. Estupendo relato donde se da una explicación a tres casos no cerrados por Holmes.
La aventura del viajero global, de Anne Lear. Interesante relato con Moriarty y paradojas temporales.
El gran misterio de la residencia estudiantil, de Sharon N. Farber. Relato corto, bastante flojo, con unos estudiantes atropellados misteriosamente.
La aventura del sabueso impostor, de Gordon R. Dickson y Poul Anderson. Este par de grandes escritores nos muestran a los hoka mezclados con Holmes. Un par de humanos que investigan a un peligroso traficante, se dirigen al plante de los hokas, concretamente a una Inglaterra victoriana basada en los relatos de Conan Doyle. Gran relato.
La cosa que esperaba fuera, de Barbara Williamson. Interesante relato con tintes holmesianos, aunque Holmes no aparece.
Un cuento de padre, de Sterling E. Lanier. El Brigadier Ffellowes narra a unos conocidos una historia que le contaba su padre. La historia transcurre en las costas de Sumatra, con descripciones fantásticas. Es el relato que más he disfrutado de la antología.
La aventura del extraterrestre, de Mack Reynolds. Otro estupendo relato, donde se nos presenta a un Holmes envejecido y decrépito, y a Watson cuidando de él.
Un cuento en escarlatina, de Philip José Farmer. Se nos presenta a Ralph Von Wau Wau, un perro parlante y con gran inteligencia, que actuará de detective. Simpático y divertido relato.
La aventura del asesino de metal, de Fred Saberhagen. Relato perteneciente al universo Berserker, que no ha terminado de gustarme.
Esclavos de plata, de Gene Wolfe. Tenemos a un Holmes (March B Street en el cuento) humano y a un Watson (Westing) como robot biomecánico. Wolfe me gusta, pero este relato no.
El dios del Unicornio Desnudo, de Richard A. Lupoff. El protagonista esta vez es el doctor Watson, que será requerido para ayudar a una serie de personajes: Doc Savage, Flash Gordon, La Sombra, etc. Buen relato, aunque parece que se queda corto.
Muerte en la hora de Navidad, de James Powell. Este va de juguetes victorianos y no me ha gustado.
El crimen definitivo, de Isaac Asimov. Relato incluido en el universo de Los Viudos Negros, donde se teoriza sobre el libro mencionado en el Canon ‘La dinámica de un asteroide’, escrito por Moriarty. Gran relato.
February 25, 2022
This volume is really hit or miss. Some stories hold up 50+ years later and some make me want to use their pages for toilet paper. The one about the werecar…smdh.
February 24, 2009
This was a collection of short stories centered around the legendary detective, chosen mostly by editor Isaac Asimov. I like Sherlock Holmes, but I am not a dedicated Holmesian. Still, the idea of using a science fiction twist to examine the stories was an intriguing one and I was pleased to find this at the library.
The collection starts off with an authentic Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle, 'The Adventure of the Devil's Foot.' Then it jumps into the science fiction theme, with stories by Philip Jose Farmer, Fred Saberhagen, Poul Anderson, and one by Asimov himself to round out the book. Some of the stories were well developed along lines established by Doyle himself, but some ranged very far afield. One very brief story by S. N. Farber was little more than a long pun, but it was quite funny.
My favorite stories, besides the Farber, were 'Death in the Christmas Hour' by James Powell and 'The Adventure of the Extraterrestrial' by Mack Reynolds. I also liked 'The adventure of the Global Traveler' which starred not Holmes but Professor Moriarty in a very clever tale. I wasn't quite as happy with the ones featuring Holmes as a dog or involving robots, but the nice thing about a collection is that you are almost always bound to find one you really enjoy.
In short, a nice little collection for Holmes fans willing to stretch a little.
The collection starts off with an authentic Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle, 'The Adventure of the Devil's Foot.' Then it jumps into the science fiction theme, with stories by Philip Jose Farmer, Fred Saberhagen, Poul Anderson, and one by Asimov himself to round out the book. Some of the stories were well developed along lines established by Doyle himself, but some ranged very far afield. One very brief story by S. N. Farber was little more than a long pun, but it was quite funny.
My favorite stories, besides the Farber, were 'Death in the Christmas Hour' by James Powell and 'The Adventure of the Extraterrestrial' by Mack Reynolds. I also liked 'The adventure of the Global Traveler' which starred not Holmes but Professor Moriarty in a very clever tale. I wasn't quite as happy with the ones featuring Holmes as a dog or involving robots, but the nice thing about a collection is that you are almost always bound to find one you really enjoy.
In short, a nice little collection for Holmes fans willing to stretch a little.
December 31, 2016
Well, I never knew that I needed a short story about Moriarty traveling through time and becoming the third murderer in Macbeth. Or a story about Raffles and Bunny squashing embryonic alien carbuncles, and thereby stumping Holmes and Watson. But I did NOT need a story about alien Holmes impersonators bumbling charmingly through a mystery overlaid on the Hound of the Baskervilles, or a squicky avalanche of Holmes punnery in space involving The Great Detectives famously unuttered catch phrase. NO!! Terrible!!!
Basically, there is nothing in this collection as good as some of the AU (alternate universe) Sherlock Holmes fanfic I've read online, (go forth and explore Archive of our own, my friends! Search for Sherlock Holmes, sort by most bookmarks or kudos, YOU ARE WELCOME!!) or as good as Neil Gaiman's Sherlock Holmes story "A Study in Emerald," which may be the best Holmesian dystopian sci-fi steampunk fanfic ever written.
BUT the cover is classic. An oozing betentacled alien in 221B, and Isaac Asimov's name on the cover? Yes!!!
Basically, there is nothing in this collection as good as some of the AU (alternate universe) Sherlock Holmes fanfic I've read online, (go forth and explore Archive of our own, my friends! Search for Sherlock Holmes, sort by most bookmarks or kudos, YOU ARE WELCOME!!) or as good as Neil Gaiman's Sherlock Holmes story "A Study in Emerald," which may be the best Holmesian dystopian sci-fi steampunk fanfic ever written.
BUT the cover is classic. An oozing betentacled alien in 221B, and Isaac Asimov's name on the cover? Yes!!!
May 17, 2021
A very unusual collection of tales with only one common theme - our beloved sleuth on 221B Baker Street.
Well not exactly as some tales don't feature Holmes, instead Watson or Moriarty are the leads. And Holmes need not be human (if we can call him that) in all these tales. Robot Holmes, Dog Holmes, Toy Holmes... now you see why it's unusual.
While overall it's a great collection of fascinating ideas, some tales are a drag with very little dialogue and long description in what's either writer's own literary style or a partially successful attempt to sound Watsonian. Hence the three-star rating.
Nevertheless, an absolute must-read for Baker Street Irregulars.
Well not exactly as some tales don't feature Holmes, instead Watson or Moriarty are the leads. And Holmes need not be human (if we can call him that) in all these tales. Robot Holmes, Dog Holmes, Toy Holmes... now you see why it's unusual.
While overall it's a great collection of fascinating ideas, some tales are a drag with very little dialogue and long description in what's either writer's own literary style or a partially successful attempt to sound Watsonian. Hence the three-star rating.
Nevertheless, an absolute must-read for Baker Street Irregulars.
May 4, 2012
A very original collection of sci-fi and fantasy stories that, in some way or other, involve Sherlock Holmes. Some of them will be better understood by devoted Sherlockians- the editor, Isaac Asimov, was a devoted Baker Street Irregular, and one can notice that- but I happen to be one, so it doesn't bother me. The stories are wll chosen and most of them are really good. The collection is crowned by a Holmes-centered Black Widowers' tale by Asimov- this was a pleasant surprise as I also happen to be a Black Widowers' fan.
June 24, 2025
Reading Sherlock Holmes Through Time and Space is like watching your favorite Victorian detective get recruited by the Avengers and immediately solve the mystery of Thanos’ chin.
This anthology — curated with sly delight by Isaac Asimov — collects a buffet of speculative Holmesian tales: Holmes on Mars, Holmes in space, Holmes in the future, Holmes (probably) arguing with robots about logic. Each story is like watching Conan Doyle’s brainchild walk into a Star Trek episode and say, “Elementary, Mr. Spock.”
Some stories are genuinely brilliant, expanding Holmes’ methodical mind into strange new frontiers. Others are hilariously bonkers, like “what if Holmes is secretly a computer program that lives in a toaster?” (okay, not exactly that, but close enough). It’s glorious chaos — like fanfiction, but if the fans all had PhDs in theoretical physics and a love for gaslamps.
And of course, Asimov himself opens the book with his trademark wit, basically saying: “Look, Holmes can survive anywhere — including this. Don’t question it. Just enjoy the ride.”
Final verdict: this book is for readers who love Holmes but also wish he’d occasionally fight aliens, decode time rifts, or roll his eyes at teleportation errors. It’s nerdy, nostalgic, and just unhinged enough to be brilliant.
This anthology — curated with sly delight by Isaac Asimov — collects a buffet of speculative Holmesian tales: Holmes on Mars, Holmes in space, Holmes in the future, Holmes (probably) arguing with robots about logic. Each story is like watching Conan Doyle’s brainchild walk into a Star Trek episode and say, “Elementary, Mr. Spock.”
Some stories are genuinely brilliant, expanding Holmes’ methodical mind into strange new frontiers. Others are hilariously bonkers, like “what if Holmes is secretly a computer program that lives in a toaster?” (okay, not exactly that, but close enough). It’s glorious chaos — like fanfiction, but if the fans all had PhDs in theoretical physics and a love for gaslamps.
And of course, Asimov himself opens the book with his trademark wit, basically saying: “Look, Holmes can survive anywhere — including this. Don’t question it. Just enjoy the ride.”
Final verdict: this book is for readers who love Holmes but also wish he’d occasionally fight aliens, decode time rifts, or roll his eyes at teleportation errors. It’s nerdy, nostalgic, and just unhinged enough to be brilliant.
July 3, 2018
I can only recommend this collection of short stories to you if you‘re a Sherlock Holmes devotee and can keep a very open mind. As stories go, these are very varied in themes and quality. I found most to be a bit disappointing, but I can see that they were chosen to keep the anthology diverse. If not for the quality, I can definitely recommend the stories for their inventiveness - putting Holmes and Watson into the most fantastical situations.
My personal favourites were:
„The Adventure of the Misplaced Hound“, in which an intergalatic crime fighter has to live through a role-play simulation of The Hound of the Baskervilles, completely staged by aliens, to find a smuggler. It‘s as nonsensical and fantastic as it is fascinating.
„Slaves of Silver“, which boasts effortlessly, beautiful worldbuilding that throws you into an absolutely fantastical premise of a dystopian, android-rich society, complete with a consulting-engineer-Holmes.
My personal favourites were:
„The Adventure of the Misplaced Hound“, in which an intergalatic crime fighter has to live through a role-play simulation of The Hound of the Baskervilles, completely staged by aliens, to find a smuggler. It‘s as nonsensical and fantastic as it is fascinating.
„Slaves of Silver“, which boasts effortlessly, beautiful worldbuilding that throws you into an absolutely fantastical premise of a dystopian, android-rich society, complete with a consulting-engineer-Holmes.
June 18, 2023
Definitely only for pretty serious fans of Sherlock Holmes. As with most anthologies, the quality of the stories varies a lot, and a good number are only very loosely based on the Great Detective. The majority of the stories were just "okay" with few stand-outs among them. There was only one story that I could not force myself to read ("A Scarletin Study," i.e. the one where the genetically altered DOG is that story's "Sherlock") and there was another that was really just...weird and didn't DO much of anything (other than be dull and decidedly dismissive of women, i.e. "The God of the Naked Unicorn"); the rest were at the very least readable, though some only just.
In my opinion, the stand-outs were definitely "Voiceover" (love the cockney rhyming slang, as well as the worldbuilding), "Slaves of Silver" (more good worldbuilding), and Asimov's own contribution "The Ultimate Crime."
In my opinion, the stand-outs were definitely "Voiceover" (love the cockney rhyming slang, as well as the worldbuilding), "Slaves of Silver" (more good worldbuilding), and Asimov's own contribution "The Ultimate Crime."
December 15, 2020
3,5/5
Hubo un par de relatos que me resultaron indiferentes, otros que sentí que les faltaba desarrollo (por lo que me decepcionó un poco) y varios que me gustaron mucho. Destaco «La cosa que esperaba fuera», «La aventura del extraterrestre» y los últimos tres que aparecen en esta antología: «El Dios del Unicornio Desnudo», «Muerte en la hora de Navidad» y «El crimen definitivo».
A grandes rasgos, ha sido un viaje a través de posibilidades de esencia sherlockiana, por completo, alucinante, independientemente de que me hayan gustado algunas historias más que otras.
Hubo un par de relatos que me resultaron indiferentes, otros que sentí que les faltaba desarrollo (por lo que me decepcionó un poco) y varios que me gustaron mucho. Destaco «La cosa que esperaba fuera», «La aventura del extraterrestre» y los últimos tres que aparecen en esta antología: «El Dios del Unicornio Desnudo», «Muerte en la hora de Navidad» y «El crimen definitivo».
A grandes rasgos, ha sido un viaje a través de posibilidades de esencia sherlockiana, por completo, alucinante, independientemente de que me hayan gustado algunas historias más que otras.
October 11, 2023
A wild ride through Holmesian (?) lore, legend, and obsession. This collection of short stories is a bit uneven as these anthologies tend to be. There aren't any "bad" stories, just some are better than others.
The variety of these stories is amazing. So deeply ingrained is the Holmes canon that his character doesn't even have to appear in the story for us to recognize it as a "Holmes case." Holmes in space, as a pet animal, as a toy. The stories are varied and a lot of fun.
The variety of these stories is amazing. So deeply ingrained is the Holmes canon that his character doesn't even have to appear in the story for us to recognize it as a "Holmes case." Holmes in space, as a pet animal, as a toy. The stories are varied and a lot of fun.
Read
August 16, 2023A collection of science fiction short stories starring, in some fashion, Sherlock Holmes. Edited by Isaac Asimov. Need I say more?
Pick this up to see the Greatest Detective as a robot, aliens invading 19th century London, Moriarty as a time traveler, and more. You might expect the stories to be cheesy, but barely a handful are.
Pick this up to see the Greatest Detective as a robot, aliens invading 19th century London, Moriarty as a time traveler, and more. You might expect the stories to be cheesy, but barely a handful are.
Read
January 20, 2020This was fun!
I would rate the stories from 1 to 4 stars. A couple of the stories were very good, and did an excellent job of matching Conan Doyle's style; one of the stories was a horror story, and I hated it. There are also a couple of very funny stories.
I would rate the stories from 1 to 4 stars. A couple of the stories were very good, and did an excellent job of matching Conan Doyle's style; one of the stories was a horror story, and I hated it. There are also a couple of very funny stories.
August 4, 2024
Una antología muy especial compilada por Isaac Asimov, en el cruce de ciencia ficción y misterio que incluye el fabuloso La aventura del pie del diablo del propio Conan Doyle y de Asimov El crimen definitivo. Otros cuentos muy buenos como el de Farmer, Marc Reynolds y Wolfe de lo más relevante.
August 4, 2020
Libro de relatos cortos. Para mi gusto de calidad muy irregular: unos interesantes y otros que me recuerdan a un cuento para niños pequeños...
February 22, 2021
Fun stories spattered throughout the collection. Fan-boy popcorn
May 5, 2021
Mixed bag. Couple of fun Wold Newton stories but not a strong collection. And I hope they paid Asimov well for the two sentence long introductions he wrote to each story. “Edited by” indeed.
May 17, 2025
It was ok. Some stories dragged, some are compelling. Few stories are proper sci-fi (imo)
August 29, 2018
Ho trovato questa interessante antologia di racconti di fantascienza a cura di Isaac Asimov che tratta, come filo rosso, il personaggio definito il più famoso e grande investigatore privato di tutti i tempi, ovvero Sherlock Holmes! Questa antologia raccoglie ben 15 racconti (sia brevi che lunghi) ed ecco le mie impressioni brevemente:
1) "L'avventura della zampa del diavolo" di Conan Doyle.
L'antologia si apre rendendo omaggio al creatore di Sherlock, ovvero lo scrittore Conan Doyle che ci narra una breve avventura investigativa di Sherlock mentre si trova, col fido dottor Watson, in vacanza in Cornovaglia. Qui si imbattono in un misterioso caso di tre morti inspiegabili...
2) "Il problema del ponte dolorante" di Philip J. Farmer.
Raffles, cugino di Sherlock Holmes, indaga sul misterioso signor Phillmore che non sembra essere di questo mondo...
3) "L'avventura del viaggiatore integrale" di Anne Lear.
Stavolta il protagonista è l'acerrimo nemico di Holmes, ovvero il perfido Moriarty che qui viaggia nel tempo.
4) "Il mistero del megadormitorio" di Sharon N. Farber.
Sherlock indaga su un misterioso caso di omicidi di giovani studenti, e la Luna sembrerebbe centrare qualcosa...
5) "Hoka Holmes" di Poul Anderson e Gordon R. Dickson.
Il detective interstellare Whitcomb Geoffrey deve indagare su uno spacciatore di nixlina e per questo si farà aiutare da un certo Sherlock Holmes (che in realtà è un alieno che ha preso le sue sembianze).
6) "La cosa che aspetta fuori" di Barbara Williamson.
Due bambini hanno davvero una fervida immaginazione, tanto che aprendo "Il mastino dei Baskerville"...
7) "L'isola di Van Ouisthoven" di Sterling E. Lanier.
Il brigadiere Ffellowes ci narra il viaggio di suo padre che salva un misterioso naufrago (forse Sherlock Holmes sotto mentite spoglie?) e che finirà in un'isola popolata da strane creature pelose...
8) "Il caso dell'extraterrestre" di Mack Reynolds.
Sherlock indaga, per conto di Sir Alexander Nordwood, sulla presenza o meno di alieni a Londra, precisamente al British Museum. Cosa scoprirà Holmes?
9) "Un bozzetto di Scarletin" di Philip J. Farmer.
Stavolta l'investigatore privato è un... cane poliziotto, che pratica la 'scienza dell'odorologia' e indaga sul criptico quadro di Scarletin, visto che è scomparso proprio l'autore.
10) "Voci dall'alto" di Edward Wellen.
Stavolta Holmes e Watson si imbattono in un curioso caso di omicidio 'psicologico' forse proveniente nientepopodimenochè dal pianeta Venere...
11) "Il caso dell'assassino di metallo" di Fred Saberhagen.
Indagine su un cyborg assassino che si nasconde a Londra.
12) "Schiavi d'argento" di Gene Wolfe.
L'investigatore Street indaga sui furti di robots...
13) "Il dio dell'unicorno nudo" di Richard Lupoff.
Watson accetta l'incarico di indagare sulla sparizione della statua "Il dio dell'unicorso nudo" e arriverà a conoscere un certo Doc Savage...
14) "Morte nell'ora del Natale" di James Powell.
Questo è uno dei racconti più surreali (senza dimenticare il cane investigatore che parla). Stavolta il povero Sherlock ha le sembianze di un... giocattolo che si risveglia in una vetrina di Natale e, assieme all'orsacchiotto Teddy, indaga sull'omicidio della moglie di Pulcinella. Sono sospettati: Ratapla, il capitano dei soldatini di metallo; Jack, il pupazzo a molla; Pucinella stesso e Gretta, la ballerina del carillon...
15) "L'estremo delitto" di Isaac Asimov.
Conclude quest'antologia 'fantasherlockiana' il grande Asimov. E devo dire che questo è stato il racconto più bello degli altri! Qui un gruppo di amici discutono sugli "Irregolari di Sherlock Holmes" e uno di essi, un certo Ronald Mason, deve scrivere un articolo sulla saga di Holmes, prendendo spunto dal trattato scientifico di Moriarty dal titolo 'La dinamica di un asteroide'. Ciò provocherà una interessante discussione scientifica sugli asteroidi e sui pianeti. Grande Asimov, come sempre!!!
In conclusione dò 3 stelle, tutte meritate (tranne per alcuni racconti davvero stupidini)
1) "L'avventura della zampa del diavolo" di Conan Doyle.
L'antologia si apre rendendo omaggio al creatore di Sherlock, ovvero lo scrittore Conan Doyle che ci narra una breve avventura investigativa di Sherlock mentre si trova, col fido dottor Watson, in vacanza in Cornovaglia. Qui si imbattono in un misterioso caso di tre morti inspiegabili...
2) "Il problema del ponte dolorante" di Philip J. Farmer.
Raffles, cugino di Sherlock Holmes, indaga sul misterioso signor Phillmore che non sembra essere di questo mondo...
3) "L'avventura del viaggiatore integrale" di Anne Lear.
Stavolta il protagonista è l'acerrimo nemico di Holmes, ovvero il perfido Moriarty che qui viaggia nel tempo.
4) "Il mistero del megadormitorio" di Sharon N. Farber.
Sherlock indaga su un misterioso caso di omicidi di giovani studenti, e la Luna sembrerebbe centrare qualcosa...
5) "Hoka Holmes" di Poul Anderson e Gordon R. Dickson.
Il detective interstellare Whitcomb Geoffrey deve indagare su uno spacciatore di nixlina e per questo si farà aiutare da un certo Sherlock Holmes (che in realtà è un alieno che ha preso le sue sembianze).
6) "La cosa che aspetta fuori" di Barbara Williamson.
Due bambini hanno davvero una fervida immaginazione, tanto che aprendo "Il mastino dei Baskerville"...
7) "L'isola di Van Ouisthoven" di Sterling E. Lanier.
Il brigadiere Ffellowes ci narra il viaggio di suo padre che salva un misterioso naufrago (forse Sherlock Holmes sotto mentite spoglie?) e che finirà in un'isola popolata da strane creature pelose...
8) "Il caso dell'extraterrestre" di Mack Reynolds.
Sherlock indaga, per conto di Sir Alexander Nordwood, sulla presenza o meno di alieni a Londra, precisamente al British Museum. Cosa scoprirà Holmes?
9) "Un bozzetto di Scarletin" di Philip J. Farmer.
Stavolta l'investigatore privato è un... cane poliziotto, che pratica la 'scienza dell'odorologia' e indaga sul criptico quadro di Scarletin, visto che è scomparso proprio l'autore.
10) "Voci dall'alto" di Edward Wellen.
Stavolta Holmes e Watson si imbattono in un curioso caso di omicidio 'psicologico' forse proveniente nientepopodimenochè dal pianeta Venere...
11) "Il caso dell'assassino di metallo" di Fred Saberhagen.
Indagine su un cyborg assassino che si nasconde a Londra.
12) "Schiavi d'argento" di Gene Wolfe.
L'investigatore Street indaga sui furti di robots...
13) "Il dio dell'unicorno nudo" di Richard Lupoff.
Watson accetta l'incarico di indagare sulla sparizione della statua "Il dio dell'unicorso nudo" e arriverà a conoscere un certo Doc Savage...
14) "Morte nell'ora del Natale" di James Powell.
Questo è uno dei racconti più surreali (senza dimenticare il cane investigatore che parla). Stavolta il povero Sherlock ha le sembianze di un... giocattolo che si risveglia in una vetrina di Natale e, assieme all'orsacchiotto Teddy, indaga sull'omicidio della moglie di Pulcinella. Sono sospettati: Ratapla, il capitano dei soldatini di metallo; Jack, il pupazzo a molla; Pucinella stesso e Gretta, la ballerina del carillon...
15) "L'estremo delitto" di Isaac Asimov.
Conclude quest'antologia 'fantasherlockiana' il grande Asimov. E devo dire che questo è stato il racconto più bello degli altri! Qui un gruppo di amici discutono sugli "Irregolari di Sherlock Holmes" e uno di essi, un certo Ronald Mason, deve scrivere un articolo sulla saga di Holmes, prendendo spunto dal trattato scientifico di Moriarty dal titolo 'La dinamica di un asteroide'. Ciò provocherà una interessante discussione scientifica sugli asteroidi e sui pianeti. Grande Asimov, come sempre!!!
In conclusione dò 3 stelle, tutte meritate (tranne per alcuni racconti davvero stupidini)
May 12, 2019
Interesting.
March 22, 2012
I first found this book in HS. I took it out over and over again reading and rereading the short stories. Like most collections, some are better than others, but Asimov (the editor and writer of one of the stories) did a great job of picking a good collection. Years later my husband got me the book for the holidays and is now lent out becuase it's AWESOME!
Something to note- Asimov was a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, a (male) group of Holmesians who get together every year on January 6th (there is now a women's auxillary, but let's face it- the Master didn't like women all that much...or people all that much). In order to become a member of the BSI you are required to write an essay using information from the Canon (the 56 short stories and 4 novels that Doyle wrote on Holmes/the Master).
Asimov's edition to this volume is his entry. He writes a remarkable story about Moriatry and his doctoral thesis that I still can see reflected in new versions of Holmes (like the RDJr Game of Thrones) and gained him entry to the BSI and his BSI name- the Worm Unknown to Science.
If you enjoy sf/fantasy and Holmes overlap take a look at the new "Improbable Cases of Sherlock Holmes". It includes writers like Laurie King, Stephen King and Neil Gaiman as well as a large amount of Lovecraftian mythos. These two books have a special place in my collection because of their short story nature- Holmes was mostly in short stories and it is in this medium that he best shines.
Something to note- Asimov was a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, a (male) group of Holmesians who get together every year on January 6th (there is now a women's auxillary, but let's face it- the Master didn't like women all that much...or people all that much). In order to become a member of the BSI you are required to write an essay using information from the Canon (the 56 short stories and 4 novels that Doyle wrote on Holmes/the Master).
Asimov's edition to this volume is his entry. He writes a remarkable story about Moriatry and his doctoral thesis that I still can see reflected in new versions of Holmes (like the RDJr Game of Thrones) and gained him entry to the BSI and his BSI name- the Worm Unknown to Science.
If you enjoy sf/fantasy and Holmes overlap take a look at the new "Improbable Cases of Sherlock Holmes". It includes writers like Laurie King, Stephen King and Neil Gaiman as well as a large amount of Lovecraftian mythos. These two books have a special place in my collection because of their short story nature- Holmes was mostly in short stories and it is in this medium that he best shines.
August 25, 2011
In case you are curious as to the contents of the novel, I noted that the back cover's "Fantastic Sherlock Holmes" is most apt, as it contains mostly fantastic tales, not science fiction. There are only a few science fiction stories contained, where science or the philosophy of science is increment to the plot, including the enjoyable last entry by Isaac Asimov. The rest are mostly mysteries set in fantastic settings, such as alien planets or future vistas.
February 18, 2013
This isn't Science-Fiction, and it isn't mystery. Fantasy is the best description. The collection contains 15 stories, ranging from Doyle to Asimov. Some I found interesting and readable ... others not so much. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who is a true Holmes fan. It isn't a book that I will go back to and re-read in 5 years.
June 17, 2015
Una excelente colección de relatos que de una u otra forma estan relacionados con Sherlock Holmes y encabezando la lista un relato del propio Arthir Conan Doyle.
Recomendado para todos los Sherlockianos y Holmesianos allá afuera.
Recomendado para todos los Sherlockianos y Holmesianos allá afuera.
June 22, 2010
15 stories including one "original" from Arthur Conan Doyle and others by Isaac Asimov, Philip Jose Farmer, Gene Wolfe, and a Hoka! story by Poul Anderson/Gordon R. Dickson
July 9, 2012
Entertaining! I liked some stories better than others, obviously, and some were far more clever than the rest, but they all had something that was just RIGHT about them.
July 3, 2017
2.5 stars
February 12, 2022
Fun idea, putting Holmes and Watson in various sci-fi settings or dealing with sci-fi-based cases.
Uneven but fun.
Uneven but fun.
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