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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Eminently readable, as expected. Even the middle section—which is unaccountably not told from Watson’s perspective (is this suddenly an omniscient narrator?)—redeems itself by simply being well-told.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've not read any Conan Doyle before, and had high expectations, which were not met.
When Holmes explains his deductions to Watson, it often includes assumptions or things not explained, which makes it read like this great observant intellect is really just - guessing.
Rather than a great web of intrigue that is satsifyingly unravelled by our hero, this felt convoluted, like a few pieces were thrown in just for the sake of adding to the web.
When Part 2 started with no explanation, I actually had to check I hadn't somehow got hold of a misprint, with another book's pages inserted in the middle. Could have been integrated much better.
Still, I like this Holmes much more than all the TV adaptations I've seen. He's more human and more interesting. And I want to read a few more, to see if Conan Doyle gets into the rhythm of it a bit more in later stories and my irritations with this one are ironed out.
When Holmes explains his deductions to Watson, it often includes assumptions or things not explained, which makes it read like this great observant intellect is really just - guessing.
Rather than a great web of intrigue that is satsifyingly unravelled by our hero, this felt convoluted, like a few pieces were thrown in just for the sake of adding to the web.
When Part 2 started with no explanation, I actually had to check I hadn't somehow got hold of a misprint, with another book's pages inserted in the middle. Could have been integrated much better.
Still, I like this Holmes much more than all the TV adaptations I've seen. He's more human and more interesting. And I want to read a few more, to see if Conan Doyle gets into the rhythm of it a bit more in later stories and my irritations with this one are ironed out.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite some what appear today as literary eccentricities owing to the style of the age, A Study in Scarlet is still a joy to read nearly 150 years after its publication.
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
1. A Study in Scarlet: 4 ★
2. The Sign of Four: 4 ★
3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes:
4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes:
5. The Hound of Baskervilles:
6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes:
7. The Valley of Fear:
8. His Last Bow:
9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes:
2. The Sign of Four: 4 ★
3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes:
4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes:
5. The Hound of Baskervilles:
6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes:
7. The Valley of Fear:
8. His Last Bow:
9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes:
I spent a happy summer reading all the Sherlock Holmes stories in my teens and have frequently meant to read them again. With this new complete collection narrated by the wonderful Stephen Fry, how could I refuse?
The debut story starts strong with a great set up and Holmes and Watson present and correct, the characters clearly defined with minimal fuss. The whimsy and humour work nicely and the plot thickens.
However, it feels like 2 stories merged into one. The first mystery half leads us to the second in which the tale is set out like it’s own short story. It’s not bad, just a little odd and overblown.
Still, I found myself enjoying it, even knowing the outcome. Fry’s narration is perhaps not quite as defined as his Harry Potter work but he’s engaging and energetic. Bring on the others.
The debut story starts strong with a great set up and Holmes and Watson present and correct, the characters clearly defined with minimal fuss. The whimsy and humour work nicely and the plot thickens.
However, it feels like 2 stories merged into one. The first mystery half leads us to the second in which the tale is set out like it’s own short story. It’s not bad, just a little odd and overblown.
Still, I found myself enjoying it, even knowing the outcome. Fry’s narration is perhaps not quite as defined as his Harry Potter work but he’s engaging and energetic. Bring on the others.
Mormon side plot makes it four stars. Yes, I understand why for it, but it was distracting due to the change of narrator. If he had kept it as Watson, I might have accepted. Might.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No