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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Leer los relatos de diversos crímenes, tanto de sus inicios, de Arsenio Lupin es sumamente entretenido, desde la sencilles que parece gran habilidad hasta sus tropiezos.
Entretenido y corto.
Entretenido y corto.
Why do I keep trying, when I know this isn't going to work?
I adored the Sherlock tv-series, but was not blown away by the book. I never watched a Murder on the Orient Express adpation, but I'm sure I'd love it. The book, however, was merely okay. And I basically binge-watched Lupin on Netflix, but, you guessed it, I did not like the book.
The stories were okay, but they were too short for me to actually care about the characters or the events.
Old mystery/detective books are just not my thing. The pattern is oh so clear. So why do I keep trying?
I adored the Sherlock tv-series, but was not blown away by the book. I never watched a Murder on the Orient Express adpation, but I'm sure I'd love it. The book, however, was merely okay. And I basically binge-watched Lupin on Netflix, but, you guessed it, I did not like the book.
The stories were okay, but they were too short for me to actually care about the characters or the events.
Old mystery/detective books are just not my thing. The pattern is oh so clear. So why do I keep trying?
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fun breezy read, although I enjoyed the first half of the collection more than the first. It's curious how unmoored Lupin as a character feels from the world, more a force of nature than a person, although in the latter half he does turn into more of a womanizer and there's at least one instance of cultural stereotyping that the author lets slip. I also enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes fanfiction.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series of short stories, first published in 1905, was written for the newsmagazine he was employed by to be “a French version of the very popular Sherlock Holmes.” Maurice LeBlanc followed up with 24 books and 25 novellas with the last of the series published in 1935 (reissued in collections in 2021). Arsène Lupin is the alias for a master thief operating in the wealthy, noble families of the European continent and the British Empire including the U.S. and Canada. The primary difference between Lupin and Holmes is an embedded sense of humor and ironic fun. Loosely based on the real head of a band of thieves, Marius Jacob shared many of his namesake’s principles, sense of honor and morals (never stealing from people in useful professions). Although on first impression, Lupin and Holmes share a number of traits, the basic difference of Holmes as part of the police authorities and Lupin as a self described criminal, they are natural antagonists even to one of the later stories in which Holmes appears as a crossover character. Both are considered masters of disguise and can blend into the scenery. Both have a disdain for their clientele.
The main character is roguish, daring, clever, mischievous, fun, melodramatic, and witty. The capers are telescopic, from what may seem to be predictable but become bigger than life. Setting the standard as an urbane, cinematic setting, filled with sparkling playful rivalry. Thus, Lupin is a more amusing, entertaining version of the “gentleman thief”, sparking such creations as John Robie in “To Catch a Thief’, the “Ocean’s” series, the “Sting”, “Indiscrete,” “Notorious” or the “Bond series.” I found it well worth the effort.
Recommend to readers of classic mysteries, crime, France, thrillers, detective, and short stories.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Blood
Hoo baby!!! How have I never read this before?? France's answer to Sherlock Holmes, Arsène Lupin is the dashing rogue of your dreams (I envision him as a young Louis Jourdan).
Lupin is every bit as smart and deductive as Holmes (and even matches wits against him in one of these stories!), but also displays a lot of charm and a puckish sense of humor! And the romance... *Swoon*
Lupin is every bit as smart and deductive as Holmes (and even matches wits against him in one of these stories!), but also displays a lot of charm and a puckish sense of humor! And the romance... *Swoon*