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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
First, I'll admit I'm biased because I loved the first couple seasons of the BBC version of Sherlock, which is where the inspiration to read these stories came from for me. And I've also discovered I enjoy detective/mystery/"whodunnit" stories in general, which colors my glasses a bit.
That being said, I loved this collection. It's composed of 4 novels and 56 short stories. Aside from the Hound of the Baskervilles which was a page turner, the novels weren't particularly interesting. But the short stories are where Conan Doyle's characters and the Sherlock formula we're so familiar with really shine. The stories range from decent to excellent, with a few duds thrown in, but overall I loved the characters and the situations and the solutions that Conan Doyle creates and let me experience. Holmes and Watson seem so real, and I'll miss going along with them on their adventures for the first time. Also, the author's writing style was surprisingly beautiful, which I didn't expect and very much enjoyed.
A few additional points I think potential readers could benefit from:
1 - These are not detective stories in the sense that the reader can figure out the culprit based on the clues given to the reader before the reveal. The stories are more like adventures where the reader, from the perspective of Dr. Watson, witnesses Sherlock pull off seemingly inhuman deductions and then sees what he saw and how it all fits together at the end of the story. So if someone is looking for stories they can try and figure out along with Sherlock, they'll be disappointed.
2 - Two of the novels are written in a style I did not like. The author tells half the story from a certain perspective in the present day, then pauses that story and goes back in time years or even decades to flesh out previous relevant events for certain characters that shed light on the situation in the present day. Even though the overall plot was fine, I think it's a terrible structure for a story and weakened those particular ones for me.
3 - Remember that these stories were released over 100 years ago, in a very different time and culture. So there are some words and references used that would never fly in the present day. Keep that in mind and I'd imagine certain readers would have a more enjoyable experience.
That being said, I loved this collection. It's composed of 4 novels and 56 short stories. Aside from the Hound of the Baskervilles which was a page turner, the novels weren't particularly interesting. But the short stories are where Conan Doyle's characters and the Sherlock formula we're so familiar with really shine. The stories range from decent to excellent, with a few duds thrown in, but overall I loved the characters and the situations and the solutions that Conan Doyle creates and let me experience. Holmes and Watson seem so real, and I'll miss going along with them on their adventures for the first time. Also, the author's writing style was surprisingly beautiful, which I didn't expect and very much enjoyed.
A few additional points I think potential readers could benefit from:
1 - These are not detective stories in the sense that the reader can figure out the culprit based on the clues given to the reader before the reveal. The stories are more like adventures where the reader, from the perspective of Dr. Watson, witnesses Sherlock pull off seemingly inhuman deductions and then sees what he saw and how it all fits together at the end of the story. So if someone is looking for stories they can try and figure out along with Sherlock, they'll be disappointed.
2 - Two of the novels are written in a style I did not like. The author tells half the story from a certain perspective in the present day, then pauses that story and goes back in time years or even decades to flesh out previous relevant events for certain characters that shed light on the situation in the present day. Even though the overall plot was fine, I think it's a terrible structure for a story and weakened those particular ones for me.
3 - Remember that these stories were released over 100 years ago, in a very different time and culture. So there are some words and references used that would never fly in the present day. Keep that in mind and I'd imagine certain readers would have a more enjoyable experience.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finally did it! I read the entire Sherlock Holmes canon (and it only took me a couple of months, who would have thought)
I first started reading these stories in high school and they quickly grew to be some of my favorites. Although many of the stories have the same basic premise, I absolutely loved reading them. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because I feel that in some ways the film/television adaptations are more exciting and interesting than the stories themselves. They can be a bit tedious at times and lacking in a lot of action. I really enjoyed the stories, however, and if you like mysteries I would recommend this book.
I audio-booked the entire collection while I was working at a laundromat, which by the way is the most depressing job ever, and I loved them so much! Hilarious, witty, intriguing, and definitely kept me entertained. Conan Doyle will always be remembered for these works, and for a very good reason. Read them, cherish them, and never ever forget about Sherlock Holmes.
I just spent the last three weeks reading the complete works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle relating to his famous character, Sherlock Holmes. Three. Weeks. It occurred to me that non-readers or not-very-fast readers may feel as I did when they read a regular novel… am I ever going to be finished with this book? But it was definitely worth the three weeks of my time to have read the 4 novels and 56 short stories contained within. In fact, it made me kind of sad to finish the last story… to know that there is no more of the original tales of Sherlock and Dr. Watson out there for me to read.
It was so refreshing to be back in my element of classic literature, not worrying about coming across f-bombs and other forms of vulgarity in the pages. The writing is witty and smart, the characters fascinating, and the stories engaging. They make you think. Toward the end of the 56 short stories, I must admit that the beginnings of the stories all seemed the same, but I suppose that must be forgiven, since some of them at least were originally released as part of a regular magazine publication, and were in need of supplying a slight background for the new reader. Overall, I would characterize the stories as creatively brilliant.
I must admit, I love all things Sherlock Holmes, and it’s surprising to me that I hadn’t read more of the original stories before now. I think I remember reading a short story or two in middle school, but other than that, I had read none of these original works. My husband and I enjoy watching deductive reasoning shows. We watched and enjoyed both recent Sherlock Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr. We loved the first two seasons of the BBC series “Sherlock” and are anxiously awaiting the third series. I must admit, as I was reading the book, the actors from this series were who I pictured most, even though we’ve also began watching the newest spin on the Sherlock stories, the CBS series “Elementary” (Also good – I love Watson as a woman).
As usual, however, the old standby of the book being better than the movie still applies. Nothing engages the mind quite like a book, and this one (or ones, as it’s a compilation) is definitely mind-engaging and well worth the read. 5 of 5 stars.
It was so refreshing to be back in my element of classic literature, not worrying about coming across f-bombs and other forms of vulgarity in the pages. The writing is witty and smart, the characters fascinating, and the stories engaging. They make you think. Toward the end of the 56 short stories, I must admit that the beginnings of the stories all seemed the same, but I suppose that must be forgiven, since some of them at least were originally released as part of a regular magazine publication, and were in need of supplying a slight background for the new reader. Overall, I would characterize the stories as creatively brilliant.
I must admit, I love all things Sherlock Holmes, and it’s surprising to me that I hadn’t read more of the original stories before now. I think I remember reading a short story or two in middle school, but other than that, I had read none of these original works. My husband and I enjoy watching deductive reasoning shows. We watched and enjoyed both recent Sherlock Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr. We loved the first two seasons of the BBC series “Sherlock” and are anxiously awaiting the third series. I must admit, as I was reading the book, the actors from this series were who I pictured most, even though we’ve also began watching the newest spin on the Sherlock stories, the CBS series “Elementary” (Also good – I love Watson as a woman).
As usual, however, the old standby of the book being better than the movie still applies. Nothing engages the mind quite like a book, and this one (or ones, as it’s a compilation) is definitely mind-engaging and well worth the read. 5 of 5 stars.
Some of the novels drag, but the short stories are always on point.
Oh, what a treasure trove these two volumes are for the avid fan of Sherlock Holmes, his faithful chronicler Dr. Watson, and their intrepid advocate Sir Artur Conan Doyle. An astonishing work of erudite intensity, and absolutely the cornerstone of any serious Holmes fans library, as it most certainly is of mine.