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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For such a foundational and important story in the mystery pantheon, I expected to like this more. I don't normally consider hype to be a problem for classics because I generally know that they can be hit or miss. Classics are classic for a reason, but that doesn't mean they can always compare to the contemporaries I'm used to reading.
For Sherlock Holmes though, I had very high expectations. I couldn't imagine a world where I didn't find this story dazzling. This was also the first Conan Doyle story I ever read and that combination was a roller coaster ride directly to disappointment. I found it difficult to adjust to Conan Doyle's writing style and I didn't find the mystery to be very compelling. It was still a well writing story, but I struggled.
Thankfully, I didn't give up on Conan Doyle and found I enjoyed some of this other novels more ([b:The Hound of the Baskervilles|8921|The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes, #5)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355929358s/8921.jpg|3311984] is my favourite.) but lesson learned for how to approach classic fiction with a little less of the weight of its cultural influence and lower expectations.
For Sherlock Holmes though, I had very high expectations. I couldn't imagine a world where I didn't find this story dazzling. This was also the first Conan Doyle story I ever read and that combination was a roller coaster ride directly to disappointment. I found it difficult to adjust to Conan Doyle's writing style and I didn't find the mystery to be very compelling. It was still a well writing story, but I struggled.
Thankfully, I didn't give up on Conan Doyle and found I enjoyed some of this other novels more ([b:The Hound of the Baskervilles|8921|The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes, #5)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355929358s/8921.jpg|3311984] is my favourite.) but lesson learned for how to approach classic fiction with a little less of the weight of its cultural influence and lower expectations.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
The structure of the book is really weird. The first half of the book is completely different from the second half. At times, the emotionless storytelling in the second half of the book made it hard for me to pay attention/care. I much preferred the structure and plot of the first half.
Back to where it all began.
Not my favorite Sherlock story, but a solid beginning nonetheless.
I'll keep this brief because I'm completely aware about my inability to take off the nostalgia goggles that clog my vision where SACD is concerned.
Not my favorite Sherlock story, but a solid beginning nonetheless.
I'll keep this brief because I'm completely aware about my inability to take off the nostalgia goggles that clog my vision where SACD is concerned.
A visit to the Sherlock Holmes exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota made me think about the fact that I had never read one of these classic tales. I read many genres but mysteries are not one that I have read frequently and it was fun to read one of the most famous and original of the genre.
At one point the character of Sherlock Holmes uses the phrase "the plot thickens" which made me smile. Is that the origin of the phrase or was Arthur Conan Doyle borrowing it from someone else? I'd love to know.
At one point the character of Sherlock Holmes uses the phrase "the plot thickens" which made me smile. Is that the origin of the phrase or was Arthur Conan Doyle borrowing it from someone else? I'd love to know.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: War