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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
The Great Keinplatz Experiment:
This was a fun story exploring the ideas of hypnotism and the soul in the 19th century. It was a good mix of scifi and a little comedy along with a good story.
This was a fun story exploring the ideas of hypnotism and the soul in the 19th century. It was a good mix of scifi and a little comedy along with a good story.
I chose this collection for "Lot No. 249," which is adapted in Tales from the Darkside. It's a mixed bag of short stories with two really good ones, some okay ones, and many boring to average. Still, it ends strong.
I. "The Brown Hand" 2.5 Stars
Some colonialist attitudes here that will not sit well with 2019 audiences, but that aside, it's just kind of a fine story. The spooky isn't really there; it's just kind of sad.
II. "The Usher of Lea House School" 2 Stars
It's a third rate Sherlock Holmes story with a more boring main character. I suppose it is about how coworkers often suck, but I didn't need a story to tell me that.
III. "B. 24" 2.5 Stars
This is better than the last two, but seems pretty incredibly sexist. Maybe that was the point?
IV. "The Great Keinplatz Experiment" 2.5 Stars
Body swap stories have come a long way. I think the hilarious moments just go too far. Like, really, they don't realize fairly quickly?
V. "Cyprian Overbeck Wells" 1 Star
There might be something literary going on here, but I am not even close enough to interested to care. I can just read other authors, Mr. Doyle. I don't need your pastiche.
VI. "Playing with Fire" 3 Stars
This might be the sin of low expectations, but this one actually had some cleverness to it. The anticipated event is a little lacking for a modern audience, but I like the connections. I could really do without some of the psuedophilosophy, but Doyle loved his seances, so what're you gonna do?
VII. "The Ring of Thoth" 4 Stars
This one is really cool. I think the mystery and the central character are quite worthwhile. It uses the late 19th century Egyptophilia well.
VIII. "The Los Amigos Fiasco" 2 Stars
In the 19th century, electricity could do anything, but this is no Frankenstein.
IX. "How It Happened" 2 Stars
Predictable and brief.
X. "Lot No. 249" 3 Stars
This is the reason I chose this collection, and it's a good bit of fun. The ending was a bit disappointing, but much of it was a cool creepy tale. Plus, I'm always down for a good mummy.
XI. "De Profundis" 3.5 Stars
Latin for "out of the depths," this one has quite the ride; then, the ending seems like it's going to be really disappointing, but ultimately, it isn't. I found it really disturbing, but also pretty awesome.
XII. "The Lift" 3 Stars
Some good action, though like many of these, the resolution is too quick.
I. "The Brown Hand" 2.5 Stars
Some colonialist attitudes here that will not sit well with 2019 audiences, but that aside, it's just kind of a fine story. The spooky isn't really there; it's just kind of sad.
II. "The Usher of Lea House School" 2 Stars
It's a third rate Sherlock Holmes story with a more boring main character. I suppose it is about how coworkers often suck, but I didn't need a story to tell me that.
III. "B. 24" 2.5 Stars
This is better than the last two, but seems pretty incredibly sexist. Maybe that was the point?
IV. "The Great Keinplatz Experiment" 2.5 Stars
Body swap stories have come a long way. I think the hilarious moments just go too far. Like, really, they don't realize fairly quickly?
V. "Cyprian Overbeck Wells" 1 Star
There might be something literary going on here, but I am not even close enough to interested to care. I can just read other authors, Mr. Doyle. I don't need your pastiche.
VI. "Playing with Fire" 3 Stars
This might be the sin of low expectations, but this one actually had some cleverness to it. The anticipated event is a little lacking for a modern audience, but I like the connections. I could really do without some of the psuedophilosophy, but Doyle loved his seances, so what're you gonna do?
VII. "The Ring of Thoth" 4 Stars
This one is really cool. I think the mystery and the central character are quite worthwhile. It uses the late 19th century Egyptophilia well.
VIII. "The Los Amigos Fiasco" 2 Stars
In the 19th century, electricity could do anything, but this is no Frankenstein.
IX. "How It Happened" 2 Stars
Predictable and brief.
X. "Lot No. 249" 3 Stars
This is the reason I chose this collection, and it's a good bit of fun. The ending was a bit disappointing, but much of it was a cool creepy tale. Plus, I'm always down for a good mummy.
XI. "De Profundis" 3.5 Stars
Latin for "out of the depths," this one has quite the ride; then, the ending seems like it's going to be really disappointing, but ultimately, it isn't. I found it really disturbing, but also pretty awesome.
XII. "The Lift" 3 Stars
Some good action, though like many of these, the resolution is too quick.
This is really different than I expected of Arthur Conan Doyle.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Worth reading
I was pleasantly surprised.
Worth reading