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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My first Sherlock Holmes novel but already I am looking forward to the next one. Whilst reading this book I came across a reflection on the internet about how detective novels in particular can help with lessening stress, low mood or anxiety. Reading book took me into a different world for a time but it was a process that provided stimulation, entertainment and healthy distraction, rather than escapism. At the same time, the predictability of the narrative - knowing that Holmes would solve the mystery - provided a safe framework to the reading experience. Holmes was a slightly more nuanced, less virtuous character than I had anticipated with his arrogant streak and some of his unhealthy daily habits.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
No
My thoughts are mostly the same as those from ten years ago! Mainly that long-form Holmes stories just drag SO much in their pacing. What it lacks in intrigue and pacing, it at least makes up for in incredibly rich atmosphere!
2014: Surprisingly, this was never assigned to me in high school (in fact, no Doyle stories were assigned when I took British Lit). And after reading a book that mentioned it, I decided to finally read it.
I was disappointed. That isn't to say I didn't like it, it was just... boringly disappointing. The style seemed overly wordy and descriptive for things that, although ended up being relevant to the case, certainly didn't need that much description. And up until the last few chapters, I didn't really feel any suspense or investment in the case. And the who-dun-it ended up being fairly obvious... it was just the tying together of all the other miscellany that was written that needed Holmes' deducing.
I do like Holmes short stories, but after having read this, as well as A Study in Scarlet, I've found that full length stories just don't captivate me as much as the short ones do. Doyle seemed strained to write enough material for this (as well as for Scarlet) to make it novel/novella length, when he probably could have told the story better if he aimed for a lower word count.
Next time I'm in the mood to read some Holmes stories, I'll resort to working through the short ones, not tackling the remaining two full-length novels there are.
[Read in Barnes & Noble Complete Holmes Collection]
2014: Surprisingly, this was never assigned to me in high school (in fact, no Doyle stories were assigned when I took British Lit). And after reading a book that mentioned it, I decided to finally read it.
I was disappointed. That isn't to say I didn't like it, it was just... boringly disappointing. The style seemed overly wordy and descriptive for things that, although ended up being relevant to the case, certainly didn't need that much description. And up until the last few chapters, I didn't really feel any suspense or investment in the case. And the who-dun-it ended up being fairly obvious... it was just the tying together of all the other miscellany that was written that needed Holmes' deducing.
I do like Holmes short stories, but after having read this, as well as A Study in Scarlet, I've found that full length stories just don't captivate me as much as the short ones do. Doyle seemed strained to write enough material for this (as well as for Scarlet) to make it novel/novella length, when he probably could have told the story better if he aimed for a lower word count.
Next time I'm in the mood to read some Holmes stories, I'll resort to working through the short ones, not tackling the remaining two full-length novels there are.
[Read in Barnes & Noble Complete Holmes Collection]
i actually really liked this omg 4 starsss
2017 2-star review:
Too many monologue-ish chapters so it was boring at times but I liked the ending because it took me by surprise!
2017 2-star review:
Too many monologue-ish chapters so it was boring at times but I liked the ending because it took me by surprise!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No