Weird theory that ties together tons of fictional characters into a secret society?

Cafe Society
1

My friend was telling me about this theory or something the other day that explains how a bunch of literary characters are all part of some sort of group, society, family, order, or something like that. It’s not really something that’s explicit in the books, but more of a unifying theory that somehow ties together a bunch of disparate characters.

He referred to it as a “sort of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” concept, but involving 19th-cen literature. I think he said that Sherlock Holmes was a member of the group.

Does anyone know what the hell I’m talking about?

2

I know there’s a theory that says Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler had an affair which produced Nero Wolfe, but that’s complete bollocks.

3

I think you mean the “Wold Newton Family,” created by Philip Jose Farmer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wold_Newton_family

4

Jasper fforde plays with the idea in his four books; start off with The Eyre affair.

5

You got it! Fascinating idea.

6

It’s more of a game than a theory, really (not to mention ripe fanfic territory). Some of the better essays have been compiled into a book.

(Some more distant relatives on the extensive Holmes family tree: Nigel Townsend of Crossing Jordan, and Robert Goren of Law and Order: Criminal Intent.