I don't always hate an
author. I seldom hate any author. Really. Not even Shakespeare, who
made such sad tragedies where youngsters and lovers die. No, not even
Oscar Wilde who wrote Nightingale and the Rose
and the Devoted Friend, enough nightmare for the children who read them.
Not even Conan Doyle who murdered the most brilliant detective in
human history just because he's tired of him. But I really am mad
about Leblanc.
The Hollow Needle
tells one of Lupin's adventures, starting from the theft of Rubens,
to a bigger matter, even to the headquarters of Lupin himself. Lupin
didn't even guess that he would find a match in a young curious
schoolboy. But even though Isidore, the young adversary, might
thought that he could beat Lupin and claim the victory, he must bear
in mind that people don't mess with Arsene Lupin – the gentlemen
thief.
This
is the second Arsene Lupin book I read. I must admit that is is far,
far better than the one I read last – Eight Strokes of
the Clock – which is
ultimately boring and uninteresting. This one is more vigorous and
adventurous. And I love how Leblanc keep us in safe distant from
Arsene Lupin. If Sherlock puzzles us with his silence, Lupin puzzles
us because we simply don't know where he is or what's he doing.
Now
to the things I hate.
First,
Holmlock Shears from London. Guess who he is. I just cannot stand how
Leblanc puts such a conspicuous clone of Sherlock Holmes and alters
everything about him. He doesn't even resemble Sherlock, apart from
his name. He just feels like a dumb detective, proving to the world
than Lupin is the greatest criminal in the world.
Second,
no. It would be a spoiler. But I just hate the ending. It feels
almost like Dorian Grey. But what makes it even more obnoxious is the
fact than Holmlock Shears plays a grand part in it. There. That's
enough saying.
I
know I start to sound like a whining fangirl right now, but I'm
terribly annoyed by Leblanc this time. Good news, I start to like
Arsene. I really do. He is charming, and smart, with a little bit of
annoying attitude every now and then. Also, I love his taste of women
and art. Nevertheless, I say it again, me and Leblanc are definitely
on war against each other.
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