Reviews - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

3.06k reviews for:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle

4.15 AVERAGE

aisling214's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

jeffington99's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

tofublock's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

esshgee's review against another edition

3.0

I'm not a Sherlock fan, I don't watch the show, but I quite enjoyed these as a light read

samah_'s review against another edition

4.25

adventurous mysterious

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

tanemariacris's review against another edition

My dear fellow life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere commonplaces of existence.

This isn't going to be an in depth-review covering the symbolism in the stories, the writing tehniques, a characterisation of Sherlock Holmes or a depiction of the way this emblematic figure and his cases have developed through the years. Nope. The only history I'm here to talk about is my own experience with the book. As narcissistic as that may sound, it's the only account I can give that will add something to the countless opinions and analysis already shared.

This isn't my first time on the Sherlock-wagon, but we might as well say it is because I've only read a version for children of "The Hound of Baskerville" and I've seen Cumberbatch being all sassy on my screen a few times before diving into it.

The volume had been standing on my shelf for a while and it would have probably kept doing so if I hadn't decided to spice things up a little and, instead of choosing an Agatha Christie book to accompany me on the trip with my parents as I often do when such occasions arive, to give Dr. Watson and his old pal a VIP spot in my backpack.

On our second day, I was just done with the first story and getting into the next one, when my dad saw what I was reading and asked me about it. So I told him the affair regarding the King of Bohemia and Irene Adler, the woman who got Sherlock's grey cells all excited. And that's how I started to tell him at least one story each night before bed for the rest of our stay until there were no more left. Which was a bit challenging, not just because I'm not used to hearing my voice that much going on and on, but also my eyes were closing the moment I'd get into the room. However, I was always excited for that part of the day to come. I finally got to understand to a certain degree how it was for my father to tell me stories each night when I was little and why he was rambling on about the delicious food the characters were suddenly eating when he was getting too tired - too bad for him they never had the wanted effect to put me to sleep, but quite the opposite. And I mean it when I say every single night. I have no idea where they were coming from and how he could find the joy and inspiration to tell them even though undoubtedly there were bad days at work and exhaustion was pressing on him. Yet feuilleton after feuilleton, series after series were constantly developing, making me wait for the continuation, gasp at the plot-twists, crack-up each time the hero would defeat the enemy using dirty socks, root for the characters and most importantly fall deeply and irremediably in love with words and stories.

The experience of being on the other side of the fence brought back all the wonderful memories and nostalgic feelings and strengthened even more the connection I have with my dad, adding a fresh dose of love and respect for him in my heart.

It reminded me why books are so important and powerful, not only through what they say and teach, but also because they bring people together.

And doesn't the simple fact that after 130 years since this character was created, his adventures are still drawing readers in and they are offering people moments to hold dear say enough about the impact of masterfully crafted storytelling?