You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
eloisesal 's review for:
The Sign of Four
by Arthur Conan Doyle
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Again, a fun mystery, but I feel like this book showed the darker side of Sherlock and the 1890s, in particular the racism surrounding the British Empire, some sexism and quite a bit of drug use!
At least the sexism and drug use were called out, but the racism is not at all. The plot relies on the non-white characters being either faithful servants or completely savage. There are some unsettling descriptions that dehumanise people from the colonised countries completely.
I also think the backstory of the criminals could have been introduced more smoothly, instead it felt like the last part of the book dragged on when it was already clear who had committed the crime and how.
At least the sexism and drug use were called out, but the racism is not at all. The plot relies on the non-white characters being either faithful servants or completely savage. There are some unsettling descriptions that dehumanise people from the colonised countries completely.
I also think the backstory of the criminals could have been introduced more smoothly, instead it felt like the last part of the book dragged on when it was already clear who had committed the crime and how.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia