Adler, Hound, ReichenbachAdler, Hound, Reichenbach

BBC’s BBC’s Sherlock Sherlock Fans in SearchFans in Searchof the Canonof the Canon

By Nicolle Lamerichs, Maastricht University

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Argument: Canon’s a matter of literary consensus!

1) Mediation of text with longstanding reception history1) Mediation of text with longstanding reception history

2) Interpretive communities vs. individualized responses2) Interpretive communities vs. individualized responses

Theoretical points

What is ‘canon’?

Official Official informationinformation

Earlier (fan) Earlier (fan) textstexts

Point of Point of

referencereference

Multiplicity Multiplicity

Original Sherlock

Holmes

Fanfiction Fan art

Other BBC productions

Costumes (cosplay)

Pastiches/

derivative fiction

Adaptations

(e.g. Plays, TV)

Detective fiction/crime

series

Sherlockmodernisati

on

Interpretation

Sherlock Sherlock as a node of texts as a node of texts

Literary competence is not limited to knowledge Literary competence is not limited to knowledge about the source-texts about the source-texts

NaturalizationNaturalization; individualized cultural ; individualized cultural repertoires repertoires

Where’s the canon?

Based on earlier/different texts Based on earlier/different texts

Discussion about crucial elements Discussion about crucial elements

Socially constructed within community Socially constructed within community

Conclusion

Contacts

Recent publications:

‘Sherlock Abroad: Dutch Fans Interpret the Famous Detective’ In Busse, K. & L. Stein (2012). Transmedia Sherlock.

‘Stranger than fiction: Fan identity in cosplay’). Transformative Works and Cultures (September, 2011).

n.lamerichs@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Contacts