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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The first of the Sherlock Holmes novels. This has a weird diversion in the middle of the book which is relevant, but which is very abrupt. Classic Holmes-solving techniques.
A more interesting read than I'd imagined.
If you've grown up in an English speaking country, it's hard to not have some preconceptions about Sherlock Holmes. I've watched an enjoyed several adaptations and appropriations of the the character and so built a fairly thorough expectation of how Mr Holmes should be. It's suffice to say that having that expectation challenged by the authors original conception was a surprise and not an unwelcome one. I feel like I'm getting to meet Sherlock Holmes and John Watson (M.D) for the first time again.
The first and second parts of the book are in stark contrast to one another, the first being set in wet, cold London and the second on the great hot and dry salt plains of Utah. In part one, we're thrown straight into action, via Watson and his military misadventure and no sooner had he met Holmes than started their investigation on 'the study in scarlet' as it were.
On the other hand, part two is quite alienating in comparison, as the setting is so barron and the central character John Ferrier, so stoic and seemingly disconnected from the preceding events taking place in London that you being to worry that there's been a printing error. However, after several chapters describing the esoterics of Ferriers mormon captors, you can begin to see the narrative threads realigning which makes the closing chapters all the more satisfactory.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Holmes and Watson progress as characters in Doyle's orignial manifestation of Sherlock Holmes.
If you've grown up in an English speaking country, it's hard to not have some preconceptions about Sherlock Holmes. I've watched an enjoyed several adaptations and appropriations of the the character and so built a fairly thorough expectation of how Mr Holmes should be. It's suffice to say that having that expectation challenged by the authors original conception was a surprise and not an unwelcome one. I feel like I'm getting to meet Sherlock Holmes and John Watson (M.D) for the first time again.
The first and second parts of the book are in stark contrast to one another, the first being set in wet, cold London and the second on the great hot and dry salt plains of Utah. In part one, we're thrown straight into action, via Watson and his military misadventure and no sooner had he met Holmes than started their investigation on 'the study in scarlet' as it were.
On the other hand, part two is quite alienating in comparison, as the setting is so barron and the central character John Ferrier, so stoic and seemingly disconnected from the preceding events taking place in London that you being to worry that there's been a printing error. However, after several chapters describing the esoterics of Ferriers mormon captors, you can begin to see the narrative threads realigning which makes the closing chapters all the more satisfactory.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Holmes and Watson progress as characters in Doyle's orignial manifestation of Sherlock Holmes.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An old time classic any lover of literature should read.
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
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed reading about how it all started with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Interesting murder mystery. I was a bit confused when the flashback/part 2 started but I liked it nonetheless!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I did not like the flashback. I almost never do. It just pulls you out of the story. I also found the flashback boring and it took up almost half of the book. It was good to read it again though. I’d completely forgotten it and there were definitely parts I did enjoy. It’s over a hundred years old and I think it stands up, not as well as some things but it does, and it’s an entertaining curio.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment