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A review by ravenousbibliophile
A Study in Emerald by Rafael Scavone, Rafael Albuquerque, Neil Gaiman
5.0
Blurb: The game is afoot; And it isn't quite so elementary.
If there's one thing that Neil Gaiman excels at, it is the amalgamation of many into a coherent few. The elegance and dexterity that he employs in his writing is akin to an abstractionist. And instead of paint, Gaiman utilizes disciplines such as History, Philosophy, Mythology and Literature. With 'A Study in Emerald', Gaiman has chosen not one but two iconic universes to act as a canvas for his literary painting. Those of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft.
With its short and crisp narrative, A Study in Emerald plunges you immediately into the murky and foggy atmosphere of London in the 1800's. And like any Gaiman story you are given a complete story from start to finish. Introducing characters, history, crime, mystery and social dynamics, all in the span of 9 pages. Those familiar with both Doyle's and and Lovecraft's works will find it even simpler to slip into the embrace of the tale. However, where Gaiman truly shines is in the way he makes the entire story his own, despite the borrowed nature of the bones and sinew which give the story its shape. Regardless of your familiarity with Sherlock Holmes or Cthulhu, if your imagination is flexible and stout, then I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.
The characterizations stay true to their original creators and the chemistry between them never seems forced. The melding of the two universes and their respective inhabitants has given way to a retelling which might very well outshine the original sources. I may be uttering blasphemy by making such a statement but then again, I've just read a Lovecraftian murder-mystery written by Neil Gaiman. Blasphemy is a consequence of influence.
I would also like to congratulate the imaginative efforts of Jouni Koponen. The layout and the illustrations only served to transform their e-readers into a newspaper from the early 1900s. The little Easter-Eggs from other popular literary sources are an inspired touch.
In the end, read this story with care, read it with curiosity and above all, read it without looking at the last page.
If there's one thing that Neil Gaiman excels at, it is the amalgamation of many into a coherent few. The elegance and dexterity that he employs in his writing is akin to an abstractionist. And instead of paint, Gaiman utilizes disciplines such as History, Philosophy, Mythology and Literature. With 'A Study in Emerald', Gaiman has chosen not one but two iconic universes to act as a canvas for his literary painting. Those of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft.
With its short and crisp narrative, A Study in Emerald plunges you immediately into the murky and foggy atmosphere of London in the 1800's. And like any Gaiman story you are given a complete story from start to finish. Introducing characters, history, crime, mystery and social dynamics, all in the span of 9 pages. Those familiar with both Doyle's and and Lovecraft's works will find it even simpler to slip into the embrace of the tale. However, where Gaiman truly shines is in the way he makes the entire story his own, despite the borrowed nature of the bones and sinew which give the story its shape. Regardless of your familiarity with Sherlock Holmes or Cthulhu, if your imagination is flexible and stout, then I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.
The characterizations stay true to their original creators and the chemistry between them never seems forced. The melding of the two universes and their respective inhabitants has given way to a retelling which might very well outshine the original sources. I may be uttering blasphemy by making such a statement but then again, I've just read a Lovecraftian murder-mystery written by Neil Gaiman. Blasphemy is a consequence of influence.
I would also like to congratulate the imaginative efforts of Jouni Koponen. The layout and the illustrations only served to transform their e-readers into a newspaper from the early 1900s. The little Easter-Eggs from other popular literary sources are an inspired touch.
In the end, read this story with care, read it with curiosity and above all, read it without looking at the last page.