Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
BEST. THING. EVER. If you haven't read Sherlock Holmes, read it. You'll love it. Since everyone probably knows exactly who he and Doctor Watson are, here is a short list of my top ten favorite stories in no particular order:
1. A Study in Scarlet (the one where Holmes and Watson meet, so a fantastic character study as well as a neat little mystery. Well, little as in this is one of the four novelette-sized stories, but still pretty short)
2. The Greek Interpreter (meet Mycroft Holmes, everyone)
3. The Illustrious Client (my favorite Holmes villain ever in this one, even over Professor Moriarty - horrifying and completely satisfactory end for the devil, a facepalm moment for Holmes, and a hilarious mission for Watson)
4. The Dying Detective (dying Holmes, frantic Doctor Watson, lots of intrigue and a fantastic ending)
5. Charles Augustus Milverton (in which Holmes and Watson face off against the "Napoleon of Blackmail [to borrow from BBC's Sherlock], break into a house [again] and Holmes proposes to a poor unsuspecting girl just for kicks)
6. A Scandal in Bohemia (Irene Adler: the woman who beats Sherlock Holmes)
7. The Sussex Vampire (don't remember how this one ends, honestly, but Holmes vs. Vampire is always epic)
8. The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (nothing too spectacular about this one except the moment at the end when Holmes and Watson share a moment that is honestly my favorite two paragraphs in the entire canon. Holmes DOES have a heart, everyone)
9. The Adventure of the Final Problem/The Empty House (Ok, this might be cheating to combine them, but its really two halves of the same story: Holmes' "death" and resurrection. Featuring some of the most brilliant and moving moments in the Holmes/Watson friendship ever)
10. The Hound of the Baskervilles (because its the Hound, and also its a genuinely frightening story sometimes, with a great Holmes reveal in there and disgruntled!Watson heading up the investigation)
If I had to choose a favorite character in literature (and I couldn't choose Atticus Finch for some reason), I would have to choose HolmesWatson. Because they come in a package. And if I was stuck on a desert island and could only choose one book to bring with me (and I couldn't choose scripture), it would be this one. I will never not read these stories. The end.
1. A Study in Scarlet (the one where Holmes and Watson meet, so a fantastic character study as well as a neat little mystery. Well, little as in this is one of the four novelette-sized stories, but still pretty short)
2. The Greek Interpreter (meet Mycroft Holmes, everyone)
3. The Illustrious Client (my favorite Holmes villain ever in this one, even over Professor Moriarty - horrifying and completely satisfactory end for the devil, a facepalm moment for Holmes, and a hilarious mission for Watson)
4. The Dying Detective (dying Holmes, frantic Doctor Watson, lots of intrigue and a fantastic ending)
5. Charles Augustus Milverton (in which Holmes and Watson face off against the "Napoleon of Blackmail [to borrow from BBC's Sherlock], break into a house [again] and Holmes proposes to a poor unsuspecting girl just for kicks)
6. A Scandal in Bohemia (Irene Adler: the woman who beats Sherlock Holmes)
7. The Sussex Vampire (don't remember how this one ends, honestly, but Holmes vs. Vampire is always epic)
8. The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (nothing too spectacular about this one except the moment at the end when Holmes and Watson share a moment that is honestly my favorite two paragraphs in the entire canon. Holmes DOES have a heart, everyone)
9. The Adventure of the Final Problem/The Empty House (Ok, this might be cheating to combine them, but its really two halves of the same story: Holmes' "death" and resurrection. Featuring some of the most brilliant and moving moments in the Holmes/Watson friendship ever)
10. The Hound of the Baskervilles (because its the Hound, and also its a genuinely frightening story sometimes, with a great Holmes reveal in there and disgruntled!Watson heading up the investigation)
If I had to choose a favorite character in literature (and I couldn't choose Atticus Finch for some reason), I would have to choose HolmesWatson. Because they come in a package. And if I was stuck on a desert island and could only choose one book to bring with me (and I couldn't choose scripture), it would be this one. I will never not read these stories. The end.
reflective
slow-paced
I'd read a few assorted adventures of Sherlock Holmes during my childhood. Of course, the name was timelessly popular and I knew who he was, but I didn't read too many of the tales and novels. Till I purchased a two volume omnibus edition and fully experienced the wonder. Decided to try the audiobook now for old times' sake.
Decidedly a brilliant body of work from start to end. It's Sherlock Holmes. One of the foremost archetypes of good detective fiction. Perfectly written, giving the reader - or, rather, the listener in this case - a chance to try to solve the mystery as it happens. That's how a good mystery should be. No big reveal too early, but dropping enough clues that the reader will be given a chance to try to figure things out before the protagonist does the reveal. And Doyle pulls it off with aplomb. The series is also a singular look into Victorian London, and lets you put yourself in the shoes of a person from that era, to whom things like the telephone were cutting edge technology. Paints a wonderful picture of the era and includes numerous rare, strange, esoteric, mystical and fantastic things which would definitely have been otherworldly and arguably alien to the readers of the time. Quite interesting to establish such a frame of reference in mind while reading. These tales will always hold a special place in my heart. Beautifully narrated by the inimitable Stephen Fry, not one single moment of this massive audiobook is boring. Fry brilliantly does all the voices, lending every character their own unique quirks, characteristics, accents, and individuality, skillfully switching between voices in moments of back-and-forth dialogue. Impressive. As. Hell.
Decidedly a brilliant body of work from start to end. It's Sherlock Holmes. One of the foremost archetypes of good detective fiction. Perfectly written, giving the reader - or, rather, the listener in this case - a chance to try to solve the mystery as it happens. That's how a good mystery should be. No big reveal too early, but dropping enough clues that the reader will be given a chance to try to figure things out before the protagonist does the reveal. And Doyle pulls it off with aplomb. The series is also a singular look into Victorian London, and lets you put yourself in the shoes of a person from that era, to whom things like the telephone were cutting edge technology. Paints a wonderful picture of the era and includes numerous rare, strange, esoteric, mystical and fantastic things which would definitely have been otherworldly and arguably alien to the readers of the time. Quite interesting to establish such a frame of reference in mind while reading. These tales will always hold a special place in my heart. Beautifully narrated by the inimitable Stephen Fry, not one single moment of this massive audiobook is boring. Fry brilliantly does all the voices, lending every character their own unique quirks, characteristics, accents, and individuality, skillfully switching between voices in moments of back-and-forth dialogue. Impressive. As. Hell.
I've really enjoyed listening to this complete collection on my daily commute. For short stories it's the ideal way to listen, and Simon Vance is a great narrator. His "voice" for each character is consistent and well developed, and his pacing does not change. I'm sure I've read all of these 56 stories over the years but I did not remember as many as I expected.
It was especially interesting to listen to how the world changed over the years in which the stories were written - from gas to electricity, from carriages to cars, from peace to war.
It was especially interesting to listen to how the world changed over the years in which the stories were written - from gas to electricity, from carriages to cars, from peace to war.
Average rating: 4 stars
A Study in Scarlet - 4.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3326583579?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Sign of Four - 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3534200932?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - 3.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3555087648?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - 4.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3560752098?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Hound of the Baskervilles - 3.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3564767023?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3567251751?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Valley of Fear - 5 stars
"Brilliant! Didn't like the ending that much but enjoyed the mystery and the dramatic back story."
His Last Bow - 5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3621959570?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes - 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3675547230?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
A Study in Scarlet - 4.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3326583579?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Sign of Four - 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3534200932?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - 3.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3555087648?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - 4.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3560752098?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Hound of the Baskervilles - 3.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3564767023?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3567251751?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Valley of Fear - 5 stars
"Brilliant! Didn't like the ending that much but enjoyed the mystery and the dramatic back story."
His Last Bow - 5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3621959570?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes - 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3675547230?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Now finished the Hound of the Baskervilles. I really liked this book, because John does much research himself, and I really didn't expect Normally Sherlock does some research and tells John afterwards. This was different and I liked that.
So, finished the book. Some adventures were better than others. I liked the ones Sherlock described himself in the casebook. In general a good read!
Mysteries that seem easy to solve have a totally unexpected outcome, and others where you can't seem to find a possible explanation have one that looking back seems so obvious. That's something that is not easy to archive!
Spoiler
the man on the moor to be Sherlock.So, finished the book. Some adventures were better than others. I liked the ones Sherlock described himself in the casebook. In general a good read!
Mysteries that seem easy to solve have a totally unexpected outcome, and others where you can't seem to find a possible explanation have one that looking back seems so obvious. That's something that is not easy to archive!
There is something really special about Sherlock Holmes.
Some of the stories weren’t all that exciting, but it was still engaging and I loved it!
Some of the stories weren’t all that exciting, but it was still engaging and I loved it!
I've long been interested in the stories of Sherlock Holmes, but have only truly ever experienced more of the modern works. With this audiobook version, read by Stephen Fry, I was able to discover Holmes and Watson's true roots, and I must say that it was a delight.
I would say that the stories largely hold up to the test of time, with the language coming across as only slightly stilted. That being said, there's only so many times you can here about how someone ejaculated (exclaimed), or was aroused (awoken), or having someone be aroused and then ejaculate in the same sentence, before your immature mind starts to chuckle.
Also, when you're listening to a collection of stories, back-to-back, for 70+ hours, you begin to notice the repetition of tropes, cliches, and story finishes that you may not otherwise have known if you were reading these stories separately over time. Having to listen to every single person in every single story proclaim that they were going to speak nothing but the truth to Holmes at the end of each story got a little old, alongside having every single character come to Holmes for help only to refuse to listen to him because of his "unusual" style of deduction, until of course he is proven right in the end to everyone's disbelief.
For the most part, I found myself able to deduce the endings of the stories often, and early on. Perhaps it's the use of a lot of these "twists" in today's media, which would speak volumes to the influence of Conan Doyle's legacy. But nonetheless, despite me predicting a large number of the outcomes, I always found myself eagerly awaiting the wrap-up, Holmes' delightful explanation of how he came about his result.
It is worth noting that Stephen Fry does an absolutely astounding job narrating this collection, with a level of enthusiasm that I couldn't fathom anybody else bringing to the table. But beyond his narration, each collection is preluded by Fry's own analysis on the stories to come, in relation to his growing up a Holmes fan himself, and these introductions are exciting to listen to on their own. I often found myself burning out nearing the end of a collection, and the anticipation of hearing Fry's next introduction kept me going.
Overall, this was a phenomenal listen, that I absolutely enjoyed listening to. But at a lengthy 70+ hours, I have a hard time imagining coming back to this one in the future.
I would say that the stories largely hold up to the test of time, with the language coming across as only slightly stilted. That being said, there's only so many times you can here about how someone ejaculated (exclaimed), or was aroused (awoken), or having someone be aroused and then ejaculate in the same sentence, before your immature mind starts to chuckle.
Also, when you're listening to a collection of stories, back-to-back, for 70+ hours, you begin to notice the repetition of tropes, cliches, and story finishes that you may not otherwise have known if you were reading these stories separately over time. Having to listen to every single person in every single story proclaim that they were going to speak nothing but the truth to Holmes at the end of each story got a little old, alongside having every single character come to Holmes for help only to refuse to listen to him because of his "unusual" style of deduction, until of course he is proven right in the end to everyone's disbelief.
For the most part, I found myself able to deduce the endings of the stories often, and early on. Perhaps it's the use of a lot of these "twists" in today's media, which would speak volumes to the influence of Conan Doyle's legacy. But nonetheless, despite me predicting a large number of the outcomes, I always found myself eagerly awaiting the wrap-up, Holmes' delightful explanation of how he came about his result.
It is worth noting that Stephen Fry does an absolutely astounding job narrating this collection, with a level of enthusiasm that I couldn't fathom anybody else bringing to the table. But beyond his narration, each collection is preluded by Fry's own analysis on the stories to come, in relation to his growing up a Holmes fan himself, and these introductions are exciting to listen to on their own. I often found myself burning out nearing the end of a collection, and the anticipation of hearing Fry's next introduction kept me going.
Overall, this was a phenomenal listen, that I absolutely enjoyed listening to. But at a lengthy 70+ hours, I have a hard time imagining coming back to this one in the future.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A