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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Started slowly but the stories picked up in depth and intrigue as the book progressed.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In the absence of an overarching complex plot, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle instead provides us with classic short stories rich with mystery. Despite their age, the stories hold up well even today. My only real critique is that it leaves the reader wanting for a deeper mystery on which to accompany his protagonists, and for more details of the case so as to have a better chance of truly solving the mystery alongside Holmes instead of listening in to his findings.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
I. A Scandal in Bohemia
I saw a Wishbone episode of this once, a long time ago. Of course, this story contains the brilliant introduction of the inimitable Irene Adler, the only woman to ever best Holmes. I love the trickery in this story. I love the depiction of Holmes and Adler both as actors, schemers, intellectual equals, but not as lovers.
II. The Red-Headed League
Another of the stories in which Watson visits 221B Baker Street after he has moved away and is married. Somethings strike me about the time in which these stories are written. I wouldn't have guessed that Sherlock Holmes was written during a time that London would have the Underground already but Watson mentions it in this story. This story is also a depiction of the time honoured manner of robbing a bank by tunneling. So many people have done this. One of my other favourite tellings of this same idea is Bob Dylan's "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts". I also love the description of Holmes as being drawn to the arts and music and poetry, thus belying the popular image that he is nothing more than a calculating machine that breathes.
III. A Case of Identity
This story was possibly the shortest Sherlock Holmes story I've read to date. It read more like a drabble than an actual story. Still, the descriptions of Sherlock being curled up in his chair was rather amusing, as well as his incorrect assumption as to what Dr. Watson was asking him about. The case was not so interesting, nor so believable, but it did pass a half hour's time while I was at work.
IV. The Boscombe Valley Mystery
A more interesting Sherlock Holmes case. I like the actual conclusion of the case, as well as Sherlock's words in conclusion: "I never hear of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter’s words, and say, ‘There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.’"
This particular case also serves as the origin of the line from the movie which has always struck me as being particularly rememberable; “It makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely. while I was at work." I would like a chance to say that to someone and really mean it in the way that I feel Sherlock means it.
V. The Five Orange Pips
A story of the KKK and how Sherlock Holmes failed to save his client.
A very disappointing case for Sherlock Holmes. Not only did he send his client away to his desk, but he also failed to bring the perpetrators to justice as the weather apparently took them out before he was able to exact his own form of revenge.
Doyle's depiction of the KKK seems a little romanticised, as though he wasn't really familiar with the Klan but just read about them in the paper. It's a bit funny to see such a watered down history, as well as hearing that the Klan ended its activities in a certain year, as in many places in the south, the Klan still has meetings. This includes the town I grew up in.
Very enjoyable, I liked that even the great Sherlock Holmes can be bested by the weather.
VI. The Man With the Twisted Lip
"Or should you rather that I sent James off to bed?” - Conclusion: Watson is pussywhipped.
Holmes is in the opium den in disguise!
"It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes’ requests." - Once again; whipped.
I like that Watson says himself that he sprang down from the carriage. All of the portrayals of Watson as a portly old, slow moving man really irk me. I think Jude Law and Martin Freeman have come the closest to portraying Watson's actual appearance and demeanor. He was a soldier, and a poor and injured one at that, when he came to Baker street, not a fat old man who spent his time playing cards rather than seeing the front lines.
I quite enjoy this story, I like that the villian/victim pointed out that it was more profitable for him to beg than to work.
VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE
“I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies."
I like this story for the slightly whimsical nature of it, as well as for the fact that, in the end, Holmes lets the theif go. I like that the point is made that he's not the police's bitch and has no responsibility to share with them what he's found.
VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND
The old days when they were still living together!
Lol, bedroom invasion, Sherlock Holmes style.
“Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,” said he, “but it’s the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.” - Where "knock you up" means to wake up.
And despite being woken at a quarter after seven, Watson is ready to go as always.
“I have really some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger.” AWWWWW, he wants to protect his Watson!
"His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation." - Just...yeah. :D
Very good, a little bit creepy, a little bit reminicint of Edgar Allen Poe's work in the flavouring. And there was a lot that I really enjoyed in the interaction between Holmes and Watson.
IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER’S THUMB
The way they talk is hilarious. All British stiff upper lip, all the time!
I like that, indirectly, Holmes broke up an early version of a money counterfeiting ring.
I also like that he didn't actually solve any crimes or manage to capture the bad guys. In this case it was simply a rememberance of one of the more strange cases Watson observed.
I saw a Wishbone episode of this once, a long time ago. Of course, this story contains the brilliant introduction of the inimitable Irene Adler, the only woman to ever best Holmes. I love the trickery in this story. I love the depiction of Holmes and Adler both as actors, schemers, intellectual equals, but not as lovers.
II. The Red-Headed League
Another of the stories in which Watson visits 221B Baker Street after he has moved away and is married. Somethings strike me about the time in which these stories are written. I wouldn't have guessed that Sherlock Holmes was written during a time that London would have the Underground already but Watson mentions it in this story. This story is also a depiction of the time honoured manner of robbing a bank by tunneling. So many people have done this. One of my other favourite tellings of this same idea is Bob Dylan's "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts". I also love the description of Holmes as being drawn to the arts and music and poetry, thus belying the popular image that he is nothing more than a calculating machine that breathes.
III. A Case of Identity
This story was possibly the shortest Sherlock Holmes story I've read to date. It read more like a drabble than an actual story. Still, the descriptions of Sherlock being curled up in his chair was rather amusing, as well as his incorrect assumption as to what Dr. Watson was asking him about. The case was not so interesting, nor so believable, but it did pass a half hour's time while I was at work.
IV. The Boscombe Valley Mystery
A more interesting Sherlock Holmes case. I like the actual conclusion of the case, as well as Sherlock's words in conclusion: "I never hear of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter’s words, and say, ‘There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.’"
This particular case also serves as the origin of the line from the movie which has always struck me as being particularly rememberable; “It makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely. while I was at work." I would like a chance to say that to someone and really mean it in the way that I feel Sherlock means it.
V. The Five Orange Pips
A story of the KKK and how Sherlock Holmes failed to save his client.
A very disappointing case for Sherlock Holmes. Not only did he send his client away to his desk, but he also failed to bring the perpetrators to justice as the weather apparently took them out before he was able to exact his own form of revenge.
Doyle's depiction of the KKK seems a little romanticised, as though he wasn't really familiar with the Klan but just read about them in the paper. It's a bit funny to see such a watered down history, as well as hearing that the Klan ended its activities in a certain year, as in many places in the south, the Klan still has meetings. This includes the town I grew up in.
Very enjoyable, I liked that even the great Sherlock Holmes can be bested by the weather.
VI. The Man With the Twisted Lip
"Or should you rather that I sent James off to bed?” - Conclusion: Watson is pussywhipped.
Holmes is in the opium den in disguise!
"It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes’ requests." - Once again; whipped.
I like that Watson says himself that he sprang down from the carriage. All of the portrayals of Watson as a portly old, slow moving man really irk me. I think Jude Law and Martin Freeman have come the closest to portraying Watson's actual appearance and demeanor. He was a soldier, and a poor and injured one at that, when he came to Baker street, not a fat old man who spent his time playing cards rather than seeing the front lines.
I quite enjoy this story, I like that the villian/victim pointed out that it was more profitable for him to beg than to work.
VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE
“I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies."
I like this story for the slightly whimsical nature of it, as well as for the fact that, in the end, Holmes lets the theif go. I like that the point is made that he's not the police's bitch and has no responsibility to share with them what he's found.
VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND
The old days when they were still living together!
Lol, bedroom invasion, Sherlock Holmes style.
“Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,” said he, “but it’s the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.” - Where "knock you up" means to wake up.
And despite being woken at a quarter after seven, Watson is ready to go as always.
“I have really some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger.” AWWWWW, he wants to protect his Watson!
"His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation." - Just...yeah. :D
Very good, a little bit creepy, a little bit reminicint of Edgar Allen Poe's work in the flavouring. And there was a lot that I really enjoyed in the interaction between Holmes and Watson.
IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER’S THUMB
The way they talk is hilarious. All British stiff upper lip, all the time!
I like that, indirectly, Holmes broke up an early version of a money counterfeiting ring.
I also like that he didn't actually solve any crimes or manage to capture the bad guys. In this case it was simply a rememberance of one of the more strange cases Watson observed.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The red-headed League is my favorite Sherlock Holmes story.