Thread of things @netflix 's "Enola Holmes" (2020) got wrong in their adaptation on Nancy Springer's "Enola Holmes" series (contains spoilers) @aurorabiggers

1) books Eudoria does NOT show affection like film Eudoria. HBC was WONDERFUL as EH, but characterization was not. One of the main conflicts for Enola was figuring out how EH showed affection. It explored childhood trauma and nature vs. nurture. The film did not treat that.

book Sherlock is also not that involved. He is a postscript to Enola's story, and mostly he provides a foil for Enola to grow around. In the end, they have mutual respect, but a Enola coming to terms with her idolization of her brother is a huge conflict throughout the series.

in the books, there is no boarding school. Enola struggles to find a place for herself to hide in plain sight in society, and she does so with amazing wit and cleverness. Enola's interactions with social masculinity vs. femininity is one of the most important parts of her story.

book Tewkesbury is NOT a tiktok boi (tho cutting his hair IS a big part of his arc) and Enola does NOT return his affection. Speaking of:

I feel that film!Enola had her character greatly reduced by the shoehorned romantic subplot. I'm sorry, but calling a boy "useless" isn't Empowering, nor is it feminism. Especially if she ends up thinking he's Pretty Hot at the end. Just let Enola Live.

One of the main attractions for me in the series was a LACK of romantic subplot, largely, (unless you believe Enola and a Certain Academic Young Lady are having a Victorian romance which is up to interpretation) bUT Enola discovering herself apart from others is important.

HERE'S A BIG ONE: that whole thing with EH planning to blow something up? For women's rights? NOT A THING and i think the film tries SO HARD to make all the women so badass and "fierce" they actually vilified the whole dynamic. Bad job. Actually,

the books do a fantastic job exploring the political and social climate through Enola's eyes, and historical struggles are treated with respect and not shied away from. The film cheapened the whole thing, and I was very disappointed.

ENOLA'S WARDROBE: that line? About corsets being a symbol of oppression?? NO. CosTube back me up but a well-fitted corset is designed to SUPPORT and not constrict. How do u think women could do all those heavy labor jobs??

AND a main plot point in the books is Enola's utlilization and WEAPONIZATION of current Victorian fashion. Corset? U mean breastplate-slash-dagger sheath? Neck boning? U mean anti-garote device? Bust-and-bum enhancers? U MEAN POCKETS?! It's a lovely romp and thoroughly enjoyable

Sherlock's feelings: i heard abt the lawsuit and while that's VERY entertaining, Sherlock's ineptitude with empathy is very important to Enola's character development.

Also EH does NOT come back. Ever. She and Enola correspond in ciphers occasionally, but (SPOILER) she does not ever show up again in-person. And the ciphers are so well-done in the books, i took up ciphering for YEARS and kudos to Nancy Springer for inspiring me to learn it.

PLUS the film doesn't really explore it, but Enola is just as intelligent and observant as Sherlock, and she develops her skills as she solves mysteries and literally saves his ass a few times. Very therapeutic. All mansplaining is treated as such.

In short, Enola Holmes has been very influential to me personally, and she lives in my mind rent-free. She's an icon of strong feminism and socio-political activism. Netflix's adaptation is colorless and flat next to it. But it's kinda cute sometimes.

Did u like the movie?? Then i recommend picking up the books! Quick, engaging reads, with more layers each time you read them, and a fascinating exploration of Victorian England through the eyes of an intelligent, capable young woman.

Oh yeah also autocorrect got me on "garrote" and made me misspell it f u autocorrect i've read that word a probably concerning number of times i KNOW how to spell it thank u