Raffles Redux

[fountainofsnow]

I've been working on a website for the last year and a half, and the Ides of March seemed like the appropriate time to share it with you.  I hope you enjoy it.

rafflesredux.comIt contains the complete text of the Raffles books (including the Narrator's Note, which is not in most editions) with extensive annotations (literary references, details

Comments

[constant_muse]

This is fantastic! Thank you, your efforts are much appreciated.

[fountainofsnow]

Thanks! It was a lot of work, but fun as well.

[constant_muse]

I'm very glad you give prominence to the Conan Doyle connection.
With the popularity of Sherlock Holmes spin-offs recently, it's time a TV producer revived Raffles. A modern production could give so much more scope for the homoeroticism too.

[fountainofsnow]

Exactly what I was thinking. I know I can't be the only person who decided to read Raffles because I had enjoyed reading the Sherlock Holmes stories. And in fact, I ended up liking them more.

I hope we do get a new TV show. The one from the '70s was fun, but it's time. Sherlock Holmes has the advantage of having the Conan Doyle estate, which has a financial interest in getting all of these movies and shows and such made. Since Hornung didn't leave any descendents, there isn't really anyone to promote his work these days. On the other hand, it also means there's nobody around claiming to hold the copyright, either.

[kalypso_v]

Rewatching the 1970s version recently, I didn't think it was low on homoeroticism... I was just saying to the friend I was watching with "Do you think they knew what they were doing here?" and then Robert Hardy (as Belville) said something like "I find gentlemen more corruptible... would you like to come into the bedroom?" Officially, he was talking about bribes, but our jaws dropped, and when we recovered we said "Yes, they knew what they were doing."

But I wouldn't object to a new one, with the right pair of actors. Would you go for the 1890s, or an update? The problem with modern international cricketers is how they'd ever fit the burglary in when their every move is followed. In fact, Mackenzie would probably be a tabloid reporter trying to get a scoop rather than a detective.