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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
adventurous
mysterious
This one wasn't as good as the first one. There were times where I caught myself skimming because certain sections just didn't keep my interest.
I know it was a different time, so I'm not going to judge it too harshly on this one (still judging tho), but the language and stereotypes about race in this book are.... I mean, there's not really any way to sugar coat it, so I'll just say it: pretty damn racist. Like the descriptions of people of color in this are really icky. Just kept trying to remind myself that it was a very different time and we've (somewhat) grown past those kind of gross depictions.
On the flip side, how Watson treats women and speaks up when Holmes is being a dick about Mary was actually surprisingly nice to read. Watson really loves and respects her I feel like. Him being so worried about her not liking him if she got her inheritance and became rich was honestly kind of funny though.
I know it was a different time, so I'm not going to judge it too harshly on this one (still judging tho), but the language and stereotypes about race in this book are.... I mean, there's not really any way to sugar coat it, so I'll just say it: pretty damn racist. Like the descriptions of people of color in this are really icky. Just kept trying to remind myself that it was a very different time and we've (somewhat) grown past those kind of gross depictions.
On the flip side, how Watson treats women and speaks up when Holmes is being a dick about Mary was actually surprisingly nice to read. Watson really loves and respects her I feel like. Him being so worried about her not liking him if she got her inheritance and became rich was honestly kind of funny though.
Probably my favorite of the Sherlock Holmes novels, not least of all because I LOVE Mary Morstan (later Watson). Mind you, in a series that's so thoroughly a boy's club, I tend to get excited about any ladies that appear, but Mary would be a fantastic character in anything. Holmes himself even admits: "I think she is one of the most charming young ladies I have ever met and might have been most useful in such work as we have been doing. She had a decided genius that way; witness the way in which she preserved the Agra plan from all the other papers of her father." (In fact the one thing I wish SOME Sherlock Holmes adaptation would do would be to get Mary involved in some of the crime-solving, but anyway.) But even without Mary, the whole atmosphere of this book is exactly what you picture going into a Sherlock Holmes story. It's grim and dreary, with an odd yellow fog all over England. There's murder, hidden treasure that comes with an elaborate backstory, intense boat chases, near brushes with death. And even romance, though Sherlock turns his nose up at anything emotional as the "enemy of logic." Also, while you miss the comical failures of Gregson and Lestrade, this story features Athelney Jones, a Scotland Yard detective that Sherlock actually respects, even (GASP) likes. For me, and I know everyone has a different experience, but just for ME, The Sign of Four is sort of the epitome of Sherlock Holmes novels, if not Sherlock Holmes as a whole.
My first Sherlock novel ever. I love Sherlock and it was definitely interesting to read this one. The idea of Sherlock sparked all the television shows so of course it's amazing.
Loved it.
Loved it.
adventurous
slow-paced
What a great read! This one is more of an adventure/chase than A Study in Scarlet. We get to see Holmes & Watson in hot pursuit of the villain and even in a shoot-out. I'm pleased to see Watson find Mary and fall in love (I wonder if she's really a double agent like in the TV show?). We gt to see a more playful side of Holes in this story; he doesn't seem quite as analytically distant here.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Secondo caso, in linea cronologica, di Sherlock Holmes. Stavolta si tratta di due omicidi legati a un misterioso passato con tesoro al seguito, e naturalmente il grande detective riuscirà , col suo metodo deduttivo infallibile, a sbrogliare l'intricata matassa della misteriosa vicenda, e qua il nostro caro dottor Watson troverà la sua futura moglie.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated