Scan barcode
daanquixote's review against another edition
4.5
I have got to incorporate “Halloa!” Into my vocabulary
slichto3's review
3.0
Woof, this took me a long time, but I did it! I don't know if my review will feel completely fair. Sherlock Holmes definitely has a charm, but the charm fades a bit when you've been reading almost 1000 pages over a month. The stories can feel repetitive and tedious after a while. But there's still a spark at the center that makes it fun to read.
Sherlock Holmes starts with Watson. Watson is an ex-army doctor living in London. Because of financial issues, he ends up rooming with Sherlock Holmes. After a little bit, he discovers that Sherlock Holmes is an almost wizard-like detective. He uses logical inference to come to fantastic, and fantastically accurate, conclusions. For example, by looking at a person he can figure out their job, how they arrived at his apartment, and their habits. He does this by observing minute details about people, like the tread of their shoes, the calluses on their hands, or the lines on their face. He uses these observational skills to solve crimes, and he ends up being better at solving crimes than the police (who often come to Holmes for advice).
This volume contains several Sherlock Holmes stories. First, there are two novellas: A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four. Then there are three volumes of short stories - totaling over thirty short stories. The stories are included mostly in the order they were published (mostly because I believe The Hound of the Baskervilles was published before some of the last short stories). As such, you see a slight progression in overall plot.
The mysteries are often fun to puzzle over. Each story usually presents a case (not always a crime) with confusing elements. At first, it seems impossible to solve. But Holmes (and sometimes the police) are able to dig up some details that start to make the case take some form. Often, though, there is still not enough information for the reader to completely solve the mystery. Finally, Holmes gives a flourish and reveals the details of the crime. It can be a fun and surprising journey, if somewhat formulaic.
The formula is part of what makes the stories enjoyable, but part of what saps your enjoyment when you read thirty of them. It's just the same thing again and again. It gets dull. It's worse because there is often very little outside the cases in each story. There is no strong development of the characters of Holmes or Watson, nor of their friendship. Much like a sitcom, it often feels like each story starts from the exact same place. I suppose it's just a serial, which some enjoy, but I feel tired of in this case.
The writing is rather thick and difficult to connect to. It's logical but doesn't really flow or always keep you engaged. I found it a rather difficult read. My mind would wander in between the stages of the investigation when there is mostly just description.
On the whole, I enjoyed pieces of the book, but I didn't love it or enjoy all of it. So that's where three stars are coming from. One complaint that I've noticed in several books: the introduction. I have yet to read a book where the introduction should actually serve as an introduction. Almost all of them should be at the end of the book! They talk about the details of what happens in the book! This one talks about the whole progression of the viewing of the character of Watson, and defends the fictional character of Watson against his critics. But we haven't yet read a page of Watson! What is the point of this dumb introduction?! This is not the only book with this problem, I just have refrained from complaining about it in previous reviews because I'm not sure the best time to criticize the odd appendages attached to classic books.
Anyway, Sherlock Holmes can be an engaging read. I wouldn't really recommend reading the entire collection of Holmes stories without a break, though.
Sherlock Holmes starts with Watson. Watson is an ex-army doctor living in London. Because of financial issues, he ends up rooming with Sherlock Holmes. After a little bit, he discovers that Sherlock Holmes is an almost wizard-like detective. He uses logical inference to come to fantastic, and fantastically accurate, conclusions. For example, by looking at a person he can figure out their job, how they arrived at his apartment, and their habits. He does this by observing minute details about people, like the tread of their shoes, the calluses on their hands, or the lines on their face. He uses these observational skills to solve crimes, and he ends up being better at solving crimes than the police (who often come to Holmes for advice).
This volume contains several Sherlock Holmes stories. First, there are two novellas: A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four. Then there are three volumes of short stories - totaling over thirty short stories. The stories are included mostly in the order they were published (mostly because I believe The Hound of the Baskervilles was published before some of the last short stories). As such, you see a slight progression in overall plot.
The mysteries are often fun to puzzle over. Each story usually presents a case (not always a crime) with confusing elements. At first, it seems impossible to solve. But Holmes (and sometimes the police) are able to dig up some details that start to make the case take some form. Often, though, there is still not enough information for the reader to completely solve the mystery. Finally, Holmes gives a flourish and reveals the details of the crime. It can be a fun and surprising journey, if somewhat formulaic.
The formula is part of what makes the stories enjoyable, but part of what saps your enjoyment when you read thirty of them. It's just the same thing again and again. It gets dull. It's worse because there is often very little outside the cases in each story. There is no strong development of the characters of Holmes or Watson, nor of their friendship. Much like a sitcom, it often feels like each story starts from the exact same place. I suppose it's just a serial, which some enjoy, but I feel tired of in this case.
The writing is rather thick and difficult to connect to. It's logical but doesn't really flow or always keep you engaged. I found it a rather difficult read. My mind would wander in between the stages of the investigation when there is mostly just description.
On the whole, I enjoyed pieces of the book, but I didn't love it or enjoy all of it. So that's where three stars are coming from. One complaint that I've noticed in several books: the introduction. I have yet to read a book where the introduction should actually serve as an introduction. Almost all of them should be at the end of the book! They talk about the details of what happens in the book! This one talks about the whole progression of the viewing of the character of Watson, and defends the fictional character of Watson against his critics. But we haven't yet read a page of Watson! What is the point of this dumb introduction?! This is not the only book with this problem, I just have refrained from complaining about it in previous reviews because I'm not sure the best time to criticize the odd appendages attached to classic books.
Anyway, Sherlock Holmes can be an engaging read. I wouldn't really recommend reading the entire collection of Holmes stories without a break, though.
dherzey's review
4.0
One thing I didn't anticipate when I started reading Sherlock Holmes is how much I can relate, as someone training to be a data analyst, to the scientific method and analysis Holmes always applies in each and every case. I thoroughly enjoy how Holmes derives his data in each case and how he will eventually ties these together, perform his analysis and deductions, and finally, take action in bringing each case to a close (not before sharing how he arrived at such conclusions, often with many surprises from Watson and those involved). Of course, sometimes overconfidence does not lead to the expected results (A Scandal In Bohemia), or we might actually have unnecessary data obscuring the facts we needed (The Naval Treaty). Oftentimes, it is a matter of seeing the details but not the whole. Either way, Holmes' method always brings some light to each case, whatever the consequences might be to those affected.
The role of Dr. Watson is not insignificant either. Amidst the facts and logic of Holmes, Watson adds a more dramatic flair in each case. He turns each case from not just a scientific endeavor but also a human one (no matter how much Holmes disagrees about such "sensationalized" accounts). It was also enjoyable to read how Watson reacts to each situation as a representative of the much more normal audience. His friendship with Holmes is also something I commend and also one of the reasons I liked the last collection, The Return Of Sherlock Holmes, the best out of the others since it gave their friendship a somewhat warmer and more humorous tone. In fact, this last collection gave Holmes and Watson a more human and more emotional appeal -- with Holmes being more fallible and Watson being more irritable (which results to banters with Holmes).
Admittedly, the stories of Sherlock Holmes are not the usual format of mysteries I am used to. It doesn't prolong the stakes or the mystery. It doesn't dwell on who did it and why. This is far from an Agatha Christie novel (which I also love) but it doesn't mean it has no charms of its own. At its core, Sherlock Holmes is a character exploration of the infamous detective himself. After reading several of the stories, most of them fall into a similar pattern. But that is the point of it. There's a certain comfort in being on Baker Street with Holmes and Watson and keeping up with their adventures throughout London and beyond. It is akin to visiting old friends time and time again and enjoying the routine of life. Overall, Sherlock Holmes proves to be a fun Victorian adventure with timeless stories and characters.
The role of Dr. Watson is not insignificant either. Amidst the facts and logic of Holmes, Watson adds a more dramatic flair in each case. He turns each case from not just a scientific endeavor but also a human one (no matter how much Holmes disagrees about such "sensationalized" accounts). It was also enjoyable to read how Watson reacts to each situation as a representative of the much more normal audience. His friendship with Holmes is also something I commend and also one of the reasons I liked the last collection, The Return Of Sherlock Holmes, the best out of the others since it gave their friendship a somewhat warmer and more humorous tone. In fact, this last collection gave Holmes and Watson a more human and more emotional appeal -- with Holmes being more fallible and Watson being more irritable (which results to banters with Holmes).
Admittedly, the stories of Sherlock Holmes are not the usual format of mysteries I am used to. It doesn't prolong the stakes or the mystery. It doesn't dwell on who did it and why. This is far from an Agatha Christie novel (which I also love) but it doesn't mean it has no charms of its own. At its core, Sherlock Holmes is a character exploration of the infamous detective himself. After reading several of the stories, most of them fall into a similar pattern. But that is the point of it. There's a certain comfort in being on Baker Street with Holmes and Watson and keeping up with their adventures throughout London and beyond. It is akin to visiting old friends time and time again and enjoying the routine of life. Overall, Sherlock Holmes proves to be a fun Victorian adventure with timeless stories and characters.
bobbiecabrera's review
4.0
This review is also found on my blog: A Poised Quill! :)
--
It took me a few months to finish this, but I pushed on. It took a few pages to get used to. The late 19th century writing style is something I was previously unaccustomed to, hence the slow pace, but soon enough it grew on me. The gothic and gloomy vibe laced each novel and short story with deliciously dark undertones distinctive of Victorian England. I soon learned to love the long-winded and detailed narrations, all with the purpose of building up the feeling of suspense and anticipation of the big reveal.
What is it that I loved about Sherlock Holmes? Obviously, his practical application of logic is a gift I am entirely in awe of. But his sheer eccentricity amplifies that which he is best known for: his undeniable powers of observation and deduction. His relationship with the other characters in the novel provides his character with layers. I have yet to meet and read a more interesting sleuth as he. No disrespect to Christie's Poirot who remains one of the first detectives I've loved and is as formidable as Holmes, but Doyle's detective proves more layered and flawed in personality. One which I am more drawn to and makes an interesting read. Sherlock Holmes will remain as my favorite fictional detective.
A few of my favorites were The Final Problem and the stories under The Return of Sherlock Holmes. I will definitely be continuing with Volume II, but I need a bit of rest and space from Sherlock. I need a change of scene for a while before I accompany him and Watson again on their adventures.
--
It took me a few months to finish this, but I pushed on. It took a few pages to get used to. The late 19th century writing style is something I was previously unaccustomed to, hence the slow pace, but soon enough it grew on me. The gothic and gloomy vibe laced each novel and short story with deliciously dark undertones distinctive of Victorian England. I soon learned to love the long-winded and detailed narrations, all with the purpose of building up the feeling of suspense and anticipation of the big reveal.
What is it that I loved about Sherlock Holmes? Obviously, his practical application of logic is a gift I am entirely in awe of. But his sheer eccentricity amplifies that which he is best known for: his undeniable powers of observation and deduction. His relationship with the other characters in the novel provides his character with layers. I have yet to meet and read a more interesting sleuth as he. No disrespect to Christie's Poirot who remains one of the first detectives I've loved and is as formidable as Holmes, but Doyle's detective proves more layered and flawed in personality. One which I am more drawn to and makes an interesting read. Sherlock Holmes will remain as my favorite fictional detective.
A few of my favorites were The Final Problem and the stories under The Return of Sherlock Holmes. I will definitely be continuing with Volume II, but I need a bit of rest and space from Sherlock. I need a change of scene for a while before I accompany him and Watson again on their adventures.
murder_unicorn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Sexism, Addiction, and Slavery
saaraa96's review
5.0
I have read stories of Sherlock Holmes times and times over.
It teaches you new view and way of thinking.
It teaches you new view and way of thinking.
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love! First of all, I could not read this all at once, I needed to read a side book. Too much Holmes and Watson at once. XD I really did love this though. My favorite stories in this would be: A Study in Scarlet, The Five Orange Pips, The Adventure of the Speckled Band, and The Naval Treaty. It was amazing to read how Sherlock breaks down his cases slowly, one-by-one. At first, Watson seemed like a tag-along, but thankfully he shows his own detective abilities in The Hound of the Baskervilles. I was surprised over the difference between the movie and the book. In the book, Watson and Holmes have a companionship but not a brotherhood as in the movie. Watson's admiration for Holmes was immense, but he depended on Holmes too much. I was happy to see him work on a case on his own in The Hound of the Baskervilles. A few of the quotes in the book that I remember were in the movie had me squealing. I was disappointed by the actual Holmes and Watson relationship, but the stories were suspenseful and wonderful to read. Each short story had me anxious, so it was easy for me to read a short-story or two per day. The longer ones like The Hound of the Baskervilles and A Study in Scarlet took me around three days to get through. I also love Doyle's explanation on how Holmes knows so much. It's because Holmes pays attention to only things that interest him and he feels will be useful to him. I loved how Watson cataloged Holmes's skills in A Study in Scarlet. All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed mysteries and suspense.