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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
Absolutely wonderful.
Stephen Fry does an amazing job narrating this and his introductions to each book were a joy. I honestly think that this is a collection that everyone who loves audio books should consider adding to their library. I will add the disclaimer that I adore Stephen Fry though and would likely be happy with him reading the phone book. This however is not the phone book. It is the enigmatic Holmes and his Watson.
I had some issues with various cases, mostly the sexism and racism that belonged to the time. I was also sad to see the Holmes of the earlier works becoming more and more aggressive and uncooperative. It is very easy to see that the creator had grown tired of his creation.
Overall though I really enjoyed this collection and I find I'm going to miss the man himself.
Part 1
Chapter 1: Opening Credits and Introduction to A Study in Scarlet
Chapters 2-15: A Study in Scarlet
Chapter 16: Introduction to The Sign of Four
Chapters 17-21: The Sign of Four, Part 1
6hrs 34mins
Part 2
Chapters 1-7: The Sign of Four, Part 2
Chapter 8: Introduction to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Chapters 9-21: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Part 1
13hrs 20mins
Part 3
Chapter 1: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Part 2
Chapter 2: Introduction to The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Chapters 3-14: The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Chapter 15: Introduction to The Hound of the Baskervilles
Chapters 16-21: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 1
13hrs 30mins
Part 4
Chapters 1-9: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 2
Halfway point.
Chapter 10: Introduction to The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Chapters 11-21: The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Part 1
14hrs 7mins
Part 5
Chapters 1-2: The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Part 2
Chapter 3: Introduction to The Valley of Fear
Chapters 4-18: The Valley of Fear
Chapter 19: Introduction to His Last Bow
Chapters 20-21: His Last Bow, Part 1
9hrs 15mins
Part 6
Chapters 1-7: His Last Bow, Part 2
Chapter 8: Introduction to The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
Chapters 9-20: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes and Closing Credits
15hrs 8mins
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a fabulous collection! This was a group read that was to go from October 1 - October 31. However, the stories were so compelling that I finished this book one week ahead of the planned reading and discussions.
Whether they were short stories or the couple of longer tales, reading about Sherlock Holmes, Watson and occasionally Mycroft, it was great to see the incredible deduction skills that Holmes had. In fact, from time to time as he questioned Watson (btw, the book was written in Watson's first-person point of view), I found myself deducing right along with Watson as Holmes asked him leading questions as to whatever case was being worked on.
Reading this next book in my quest to read some of the classics was time well spent.
Whether they were short stories or the couple of longer tales, reading about Sherlock Holmes, Watson and occasionally Mycroft, it was great to see the incredible deduction skills that Holmes had. In fact, from time to time as he questioned Watson (btw, the book was written in Watson's first-person point of view), I found myself deducing right along with Watson as Holmes asked him leading questions as to whatever case was being worked on.
Reading this next book in my quest to read some of the classics was time well spent.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s a long haul, but worth the time! Some parts are a little dated but surprisingly not that much for a book that’s over 100 years old! In my opinion, the stories get better towards the end, which kept me going!
AT LAST! It took me almost 2 months of intermittent reading to finish the 2 thick books (almost 1800 pages in total) that comprise this collection.
Pros: I like the straightforward way Holmes solves the crimes sent to him, which is why the stories tend to be short with neat endings and mostly repentant culprits. I also like how Watson is a perfect companion and their banters add comic relief to the gloomy Victorian atmosphere.
Cons: I suggest not to read this in one gulp as the stories tend to get repetitive and might bore otherwise expectant readers. The format of the stories and how easily Holmes can come up with the neat solution may bore readers expecting drama and more details.
Standout: The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of the best mysteries I've ever read. Will give you the creeps and once again will make you admire how Holmes can come up with the right answers everytime after a thorough examination of the case. I can only wish actual law enforcers are that thorough but that might be asking too much from them.
Pros: I like the straightforward way Holmes solves the crimes sent to him, which is why the stories tend to be short with neat endings and mostly repentant culprits. I also like how Watson is a perfect companion and their banters add comic relief to the gloomy Victorian atmosphere.
Cons: I suggest not to read this in one gulp as the stories tend to get repetitive and might bore otherwise expectant readers. The format of the stories and how easily Holmes can come up with the neat solution may bore readers expecting drama and more details.
Standout: The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of the best mysteries I've ever read. Will give you the creeps and once again will make you admire how Holmes can come up with the right answers everytime after a thorough examination of the case. I can only wish actual law enforcers are that thorough but that might be asking too much from them.
Whew. I spent a solid five months in the world of Sherlock Holmes. For four of those months, I read other books, but I stuck with him all through October. That sort of relationship deserves a few words.
Doyle was quite the writer, and Holmes was quite the philosopher. Holmes may not have appreciated Watson's descriptions, but I did. (Case in point: "[A]nd beside him on the settee was a brand which he had brought up in the shape of a slim, flame-like young woman with a pale, intense face, youthful, and yet so worn with sin and sorrow that one read the terrible years which had left their leprous mark upon her.")
And another word: It would be a cheap and easy trick to condemn Holmes for his xenophobia. To be sure, I winced at some descriptions, and I rolled my eyes at any mention of the exotic. I also was mindful that Holmes and Doyle were men of their times. Holmes may seem advanced and worldly, but he is and always will be a Victorian Briton.
Doyle was quite the writer, and Holmes was quite the philosopher. Holmes may not have appreciated Watson's descriptions, but I did. (Case in point: "[A]nd beside him on the settee was a brand which he had brought up in the shape of a slim, flame-like young woman with a pale, intense face, youthful, and yet so worn with sin and sorrow that one read the terrible years which had left their leprous mark upon her.")
And another word: It would be a cheap and easy trick to condemn Holmes for his xenophobia. To be sure, I winced at some descriptions, and I rolled my eyes at any mention of the exotic. I also was mindful that Holmes and Doyle were men of their times. Holmes may seem advanced and worldly, but he is and always will be a Victorian Briton.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No