In our last entry, I discussed the curious phenomenon of having a new writer come in to finish the incomplete manuscript or unfinished series of an author who had passed away before being able to finish the work themselves. While such books can often prove quite popular with some fans, others will often complain that the writing style of the new author is too different, that the characters don't feel the same, or that the book goes in a direction the original author never would have intended. (I admit I tend to distrust such sequels and continuations myself.)
But there is a different type of book "sequel" that I'm much more fond of -- the pastiche.
The word "pastiche" technically means "an artistic work that imitates the style of a previous work." In the case of literature, it refers to any book which is written in the style of (or perhaps in homage to) a story which has come before. Often, the authors of pastiches are not only writing a new story with classic characters, but are also trying to match the style and cadence of the original author's writing.
I tend to use the word "pastiche" to refer to those new stories that feature classic characters, written by someone other than their original author. There's an inherent difference, to me, in writing a story using fictional characters that are old enough to have become a part of our literary culture's history, rather than completing the work of an author who has only recently passed away. Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan are characters who have become a part of our collective unconscious -- they are characters people know and recognize even if they've never read the story or seen the film in which those characters originally appeared. Writing the further adventures of Holmes intrigues me in a way that a Michael Critchon "sequel" cannot -- simply because the classic characters have become larger than life. Large enough, in fact, that they seem to exist outside the boundaries of their original printed pages. So why not write new stories about them?
Sherlock Holmes pastiches are, by far, the most popular. After you check out the new movie, you might want to try a few of these unauthorized Holmes "sequels." And, if Arthur Conan Doyle isn't for you, take a look at some of our other classics pastiches:
Sherlock Holmes
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King.
The popular Mary Russell books by Laurie R. King tell the story of a young woman who starts off as a protege to the retired Sherlock Holmes, going on to eventually become his partner ... and his wife. While the series never quite hit the right note with me personally -- my "version" of Sherlock Holmes is not the marrying type -- many love this series for the relationship between these two characters.
Sherlock Holmes in America edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg, and Daniel Stashower.
A collection of stories, from a variety of authors, featuring Holmes and Watson sleuthing their way across America. (It's not as far-fetched as it sounds, given original author Doyle's known appreciation for the U.S.) An intriguing premise with some real story gems.
Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson by Lyndsay Faye.
A number of books feature the famous fictional detective becoming entangled with the infamous, real-life serial killer. This novel is one of the best. Not to be missed.
The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes edited by John Joseph Adams.
Ghosts. Curses. Aliens. Shapeshifters. Dinosaurs. Is there a rational explanation for the weird and wild encounters in this collection of short stories, or do Holmes and Watson uncover the real thing? A must-read for anyone who's a fan of genre crossovers. (There's a tale by Stephen King, to boot!)
The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett.
This high-action thriller -- taking place once again in America -- might be of particular interest to anyone who's a fan of the Guy Ritchie film adaptations.
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution: Being a Reprint From the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D. by Nicolas Meyer.
Dr. Sigmund Freud attempts to council Sherlock Holmes through his various neuroses and addictions. A fascinating character study into the mind and heart of Sherlock Holmes. Robert Duvall and Alan Arkin star in the film adaptation.
Other Pastiches
An Assembly Such as This: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan.
The first in a trilogy, Aidan retells Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Mr. Darcy.
Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund.
Drawing from a brief mention the Captain makes of his beloved young wife, Naslund spins a completely new tale out of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. Though titled "Ahab's Wife," the story belongs to Una, the wife of the mad sea captain. A national bestseller.
Alice Through the Needle's Eye by Gilbert Adair.
This "third" book is meant to follow Lewis Carroll's original stories Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. As a big fan of the Alice books, I was pleasantly surprised to find how closely Adair manages to capture Carroll's original wit and tone, even while crafting a completely new tale for Alice.
Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean.
For decades after the usual expiration date, the Great Ormond Street Hospital has held the rights to J.M. Barrie's original story Peter Pan and Wendy. (Barrie had willed the copyright -- and all related royalties -- to the hospital.) In 2004, McCaughrean was chosen as a contest winner by the Hospital to write the first "official" sequel to the original Peter Pan story.
Cosette: The Sequel to Les Miserables by Laura Kalpakian.
More romance novel than sprawling epic, Kalpakian writes an unusual sequel to Victor Hugo's revered saga. More for those who like dramatic historical romance, than for fans of Hugo's original tale.
Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James.
Although Dracula The Un-Dead got most of the attention for being written by Bram Stoker's great-grandnephew, this companion book by James should not be missed by anyone who's a fan of vampires and romance. Twilight readers, take note.
-- Post by Ms. B
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