Sherlock Holmes: where are you?

Summary

The author expresses skepticism about the popularity of Sherlock Holmes attractions, particularly the house at 221b Baker Street, given that Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character created by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Abstract

The article titled "Sherlock Holmes: where are you?" reflects the author's confusion over the allure of Sherlock Holmes-themed tourist spots in the United Kingdom, especially considering the character's fictional nature. Despite the existence of a house purported to be Holmes's residence on Baker Street, the author questions the value of visiting a place filled with items that the fictional character never used, such as a pipe, a chair, and a violin. The author also critiques the idea of paying for walking tours that follow in the footsteps of a character who never actually walked those paths. The piece concludes with the author's preference for a character like Colombo, whom they mistakenly believe to be a real person, over the fictional Holmes.

Opinions

The author finds the attraction of Sherlock Holmes and his associated tourist spots puzzling.
They consider Sherlock Holmes to be a conceited, boring, and snobbish character.
The author believes that spending money on visiting the fictional detective's house or going on related walking tours is a waste.
They acknowledge the historical and cultural sites in London but do not extend this appreciation to Sherlock Holmes attractions.
The author humorously suggests a preference for the character Colombo, who they incorrectly assume to be a real person, over the fictional Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes: where are you?

White silhouette of Sherlock Holmes. publicdomainpictures.net

I have never understood the attraction of Sherlock Holmes.

There are many ancient sites to see in the four countries of the United Kingdom.

London has many of them. The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square are among many of the historical attractions in the city.

It has been some time since I visited baker street, and I don’t know if this attraction is still there.

But has always puzzled me as to why people visited it.

That was the House at 221b Baker Street: the home of Sherlock Holmes.

Now I do not wish to be a spoilsport, or shatter anyone’s fantasies, but I feel have to tell you: Sherlock Holmes did not exist, he is not and never has been a real person.

221b Baker Street never really existed outside the mind of Arthur Conan –Doyle.

I am aware there was (or maybe still is) a house reputed to the home of the great detective, but what is in it?

The pipe that Sherlock never smoked, the chair he never sat in, the violin he never played.

And you could pay to go on walks around London.

To follow in the footsteps to places, Holmes never went, tread the pavement that his fictional shoes, with his fictional feet inside them, never trod. And you would pay for the privilege (real money, not fictional).

I have said I don’t know if the house on Baker Street is still there. But, if it is, why waste your money?

Sherlock Holmes always came across as a conceited bore to me, and an insufferable snob, to boot.

Give me Colombo any day. I mean, he was a real person, wasn’t he? 😄

More stories from me.