The Count of Monte Cristo as Retold by Sherlock Holmes
by Holy Ghost Writer
A unique twist on a time-honored tale that interweaves several literary characters.
Writing under the pen name of the “Holy Ghost Writer,” the author retells Alexandre Dumas’ well-known story from 1844. This time, however, the saga is told from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes. With right-hand man and chronicler Dr. Watson by his side, he regales Watson with this adventure for “literary posterity.” But it’s not all tied up in a nice little bow. Holmes chronicles Dumas’ story about Edmond Dantes, who starts off young, idealistic and happy before his life takes a drastic turn for the worse when he’s wrongly accused of a crime and serves years in prison as a result. Over time, his idealism fades and is replaced with a desire for revenge as he witnesses the limitations of the criminal justice system. He befriends a man in prison who ultimately dies and leaves Dantes with his fortune. Once free, Dantes sets out to punish the enemies responsible for his misfortune, taking on the guise of the wealthy and mysterious Count of Monte Cristo. Readers reunite with the detective and his companion in brief interludes throughout the book, as the two break to marvel at the adventure or sit down for a meal. The tale touches on many themes—justice, vengeance, hope, forgiveness—but it’s not clear why this story is being retold; perhaps the planned sequels will explain. In addition, the dialogue often feels forced and unrealistic. For instance, when Holmes promises to tell the story of the Sultan of Albania, Watson declares: “Absolutely wonderful….I really cannot wait to hear and record every detail....I am dying to find out what happens to my favorite characters, especially the world’s most elusive personality.”
A curious, intriguing effort to retell a classic through the eyes of an iconic character, but several unanswered questions remain.