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Sherlock Holmes #1-9
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
A study in scarlet --
The sign of four --
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes : A scandal in Bohemia ; The red-headed league ; A case of identity ; The Boscombe Valley mystery ; The five orange pips ; The man with the twisted lip ; The adventure of the blue carbuncle ; The adventure of the speckled band ; The adventure of the engineer's thumb ; The adventure of the noble bachelor ; The adventure of the beryl coronet ; The adventure of the copper beeches --
Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes : Silver blaze ; The yellow face ; The stock-broker's clerk ; The "Gloria Scott" ; The Musgrave ritual ; The Reigate puzzle ; The crooked man ; The resident patient ; The Greek interpreter ; The naval treaty ; The final problem --
The return of Sherlock Holmes : The adventure of the empty house ; The adventure of the Norwood builder ; The adventure of the dancing men ; The adventure of the solitary cyclist ; The adventure of the priory school ; The adventure of Black Peter ; The adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton ; The adventure of the six Napoleons ; The adventure of the three students ; The adventure of the golden pince-nez ; The adventure of the missing three-quarter ; The adventure of the abbey grange ; The adventure of the second stain.
Volume 2. Introduction / by Loren D. Estleman --
The hound of the Baskervilles --
The valley of fear --
His last bow : The adventure of Wisteria Lodge : The singular experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles ; The tiger of San Pedro ; The adventure of the cardboard box ; The adventure of the red circle ; The adventure of the Bruce-Partington plans ; The adventure of the dying detective ; The disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax ; The adventure of the devil's foot ; His last bow --
The case-book of Sherlock Holmes : The adventure of the illustrious client ; The adventure of the blanched soldier ; The adventure of the Mazarin stone ; The adventure of the three gables ; The adventure of the Sussex vampire ; The adventure of the three Garridebs ; The problem of Thor Bridge ; The adventure of the creeping man ; The adventure of the lion's mane ; The adventure of the veiled lodger ; The adventure of Shoscombe old place ; The adventure of the retired colourman.
The sign of four --
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes : A scandal in Bohemia ; The red-headed league ; A case of identity ; The Boscombe Valley mystery ; The five orange pips ; The man with the twisted lip ; The adventure of the blue carbuncle ; The adventure of the speckled band ; The adventure of the engineer's thumb ; The adventure of the noble bachelor ; The adventure of the beryl coronet ; The adventure of the copper beeches --
Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes : Silver blaze ; The yellow face ; The stock-broker's clerk ; The "Gloria Scott" ; The Musgrave ritual ; The Reigate puzzle ; The crooked man ; The resident patient ; The Greek interpreter ; The naval treaty ; The final problem --
The return of Sherlock Holmes : The adventure of the empty house ; The adventure of the Norwood builder ; The adventure of the dancing men ; The adventure of the solitary cyclist ; The adventure of the priory school ; The adventure of Black Peter ; The adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton ; The adventure of the six Napoleons ; The adventure of the three students ; The adventure of the golden pince-nez ; The adventure of the missing three-quarter ; The adventure of the abbey grange ; The adventure of the second stain.
Volume 2. Introduction / by Loren D. Estleman --
The hound of the Baskervilles --
The valley of fear --
His last bow : The adventure of Wisteria Lodge : The singular experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles ; The tiger of San Pedro ; The adventure of the cardboard box ; The adventure of the red circle ; The adventure of the Bruce-Partington plans ; The adventure of the dying detective ; The disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax ; The adventure of the devil's foot ; His last bow --
The case-book of Sherlock Holmes : The adventure of the illustrious client ; The adventure of the blanched soldier ; The adventure of the Mazarin stone ; The adventure of the three gables ; The adventure of the Sussex vampire ; The adventure of the three Garridebs ; The problem of Thor Bridge ; The adventure of the creeping man ; The adventure of the lion's mane ; The adventure of the veiled lodger ; The adventure of Shoscombe old place ; The adventure of the retired colourman.
1796 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1915
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
11.9k books23.4k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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June 23, 2024
Completionism, my dear Watson.
The whole shebang. The entire 9 book Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring arguably the best detective the world has ever seen, in his neverending adventures with his ever faithful companion, Dr. Watson.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would you do it again? No. As much as I’ve enjoyed it, this was not one of my favorite series, and even if it were... Life is too short and TBR too long to read books twice. But anyways, I have my badge of honor now, and nothing can take that away from you.
My work here is done. A door closes and another one opens. And now with perfect peace of mind I can finally move on to Agatha Christie, and back to my Hiatus.
See you on the flip side people!
It’s public domain, you can find it
-- VOL 1, HERE -- VOL 2, HERE -- VOL 3, HERE --
-- VOL 4, HERE -- VOL 5, HERE -- VOL 6, HERE --
-- VOL 7, HERE -- VOL 8, HERE -- VOL 9. HERE --
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1894] [1796p] [Collection] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: For a sort of HEA ending for the series I strongly recommend saving 8. His Last Bow for last, right after 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
IMPORTANTE: Para tener una especial de final feliz en la serie recomiendo fuertemente dejar 8. Su Ultimo Saludo para el final, después de leer 9. El Archivo de Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Completismo, mi querido Watson.
Todo el mambo. La serie entera de 9 libros de Sherlock Holmes por Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, protagonizados por tal vez el mejor detective que el mundo ha visto jamás, y sus incontables aventuras con su siempre leal compañero, el Dr. Watson.
¿Valió la pena? Sí. ¿Lo harías de nuevo? No. Por mucho que lo disfruté, esta no fue una de mis series favoritas, e incluso si lo fuera… La vida es demasiado corta y la lista demasiado larga para leer un libro dos veces. Pero bueno, ahora tengo mi medalla de honor, y nada puede quitarte lo bailado.
Mi trabajo acá terminó. Una puerta se cierra y otra se abre. Y ahora con perfecta paz mental puedo finalmente seguir con Agatha Christie, y volver de nuevo a mi Hiato.
¡Nos vemos del otro lado gente!
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar
-- VOL 1, ACA -- VOL 2, ACA -- VOL 3, ACA --
-- VOL 4, ACA -- VOL 5, ACA -- VOL 6, ACA --
-- VOL 7, ACA -- VOL 8, ACA -- VOL 9. ACA --
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1894] [1796p] [Colección] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
The whole shebang. The entire 9 book Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring arguably the best detective the world has ever seen, in his neverending adventures with his ever faithful companion, Dr. Watson.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would you do it again? No. As much as I’ve enjoyed it, this was not one of my favorite series, and even if it were... Life is too short and TBR too long to read books twice. But anyways, I have my badge of honor now, and nothing can take that away from you.
My work here is done. A door closes and another one opens. And now with perfect peace of mind I can finally move on to Agatha Christie, and back to my Hiatus.
See you on the flip side people!
It’s public domain, you can find it
-- VOL 1, HERE -- VOL 2, HERE -- VOL 3, HERE --
-- VOL 4, HERE -- VOL 5, HERE -- VOL 6, HERE --
-- VOL 7, HERE -- VOL 8, HERE -- VOL 9. HERE --
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1894] [1796p] [Collection] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: For a sort of HEA ending for the series I strongly recommend saving 8. His Last Bow for last, right after 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
IMPORTANTE: Para tener una especial de final feliz en la serie recomiendo fuertemente dejar 8. Su Ultimo Saludo para el final, después de leer 9. El Archivo de Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Completismo, mi querido Watson.
Todo el mambo. La serie entera de 9 libros de Sherlock Holmes por Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, protagonizados por tal vez el mejor detective que el mundo ha visto jamás, y sus incontables aventuras con su siempre leal compañero, el Dr. Watson.
¿Valió la pena? Sí. ¿Lo harías de nuevo? No. Por mucho que lo disfruté, esta no fue una de mis series favoritas, e incluso si lo fuera… La vida es demasiado corta y la lista demasiado larga para leer un libro dos veces. Pero bueno, ahora tengo mi medalla de honor, y nada puede quitarte lo bailado.
Mi trabajo acá terminó. Una puerta se cierra y otra se abre. Y ahora con perfecta paz mental puedo finalmente seguir con Agatha Christie, y volver de nuevo a mi Hiato.
¡Nos vemos del otro lado gente!
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar
-- VOL 1, ACA -- VOL 2, ACA -- VOL 3, ACA --
-- VOL 4, ACA -- VOL 5, ACA -- VOL 6, ACA --
-- VOL 7, ACA -- VOL 8, ACA -- VOL 9. ACA --
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1894] [1796p] [Colección] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
October 31, 2007
A few of the things I learned:
Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth
Never theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment.
Also, I now sometimes try to analyze people based on their shoes and pants when sitting on the subway. I have yet to ask anyone if I was accurate about my predictions.
Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth
Never theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment.
Also, I now sometimes try to analyze people based on their shoes and pants when sitting on the subway. I have yet to ask anyone if I was accurate about my predictions.
October 20, 2016
Time does not change great literature This was completely entertaining and no matter how old you are it's still great to read over the ones you enjoyed the first time. Several I had not remembered reading. I bought this book at special price from here:
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Sherl...
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Sherl...
December 4, 2013
My copy of this book is a wreck, I have read it so often. My dad gave it to me, I can't remember if it was a birthday or Christmas gift, but regardless it's one of the best books I've ever been given. You just have to read a couple of pages and you fall right into Holmes and Watson's world; it's wonderful.
June 21, 2021
It's great that we got Hound of the Baskervilles right before Return of Sherlock Holmes, because, after that, the knighted author would prove to be on autopilot.
I'm afraid that the test of time has not been overly kind to the canon Sherlock lore. It was a chore sometimes, to read through these short stories that have outstayed their welcome.
Maybe the detective ought to have stayed dead. But vox populi, vox Dei. Now that the work of Doyle is in Public Domain, many more new stories keep popping up. Incredibly, I've read only one such book. That must be remedied ASAP.
I'm afraid that the test of time has not been overly kind to the canon Sherlock lore. It was a chore sometimes, to read through these short stories that have outstayed their welcome.
Maybe the detective ought to have stayed dead. But vox populi, vox Dei. Now that the work of Doyle is in Public Domain, many more new stories keep popping up. Incredibly, I've read only one such book. That must be remedied ASAP.
November 29, 2018
Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. Holmes was still, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in following out those clues and clearing up those mysteries which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police.
--“A Scandal in Bohemia”
Watson's not wasting any time here. So we learn, in two sentences, that Holmes is: not fond of other people, ridiculously smart, kind of a drug addict, working unofficially to fight crime and, as if I couldn’t say it enough -- ridiculously smart!
Arthur Conan Doyle emphasizes Holmes' magnificent brain in many ways: he uses Watson's admiration to reinforce the reader's own; he gives Holmes lots of foils, including incompetent cops and the criminals he's hunting; and perhaps the best trick of all, Holmes frequently gets to show off his smarts by wowing his clients with how much he can guess about them just by looking at their outward appearances.
So it’s obvious that Sherlock Holmes is beyond intelligent, but I find this other side of him more interesting:
That any civilized human being in this nineteenth century should not be aware that the earth travelled round the sun appeared to be to me such an extraordinary fact that I could hardly realize it.
“You appear to be astonished,” he said, smiling at my expression of surprise. “Now that I do know it I shall do my best to forget it.”
-- “A Study in Scarlet”
Holmes is, in a nutshell, single-minded in his detection. In that respect, it makes sense that all emotions, particularly love, are abhorrent to his cold, precise, but admirably balanced mind. He's basically an instrument for finding out criminal stuff. I actually appreciated this, since Doyle didn't risk all the soap opera-ish entanglements that make long-running serials hard to follow without a map. He conceived each of his stories as both united by Holmes' character, and yet still potentially interesting to people who had never read any other of his stories.
As a private detective, Holmes totally uses his powers for good. Everyone in Victorian London, from the lowliest governess to the highest nobleman, eventually comes to see him when they need help. It's reassuring to read about a guy who just goes around making sure that life is fair for the little guy. Sure, he may be in his business of private detective work mostly for the intellectual work rather than the moral judgment -- but for me, reading each of his stories is like reading “Chicken Soup for the Nerdy Soul”! He's so sure, and so good at getting things right, that reading his stories leaves you with a comfortable glow.
John Watson, the narrator, is definitely a main character in these stories. He is telling his own story, sure, but only in so far as that story relates to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The thing is though, he is awesome in his own right. He was an army doctor in Afghanistan, he's the one who always carries the gun in his and Holmes's most dangerous encounters,and what's more -- he is actually able to sustain a job and engage in healthy human relationships with more than one person. By also making Watson a strong character, with both medical and literary proficiency, Doyle makes Watson's admiration of Holmes' intelligence even more meaningful. He fills in gaps that Holmes lack: he provides medical assistance that Holmes can't handle and he's the one who adds human interest to Holmes' stories. Above all, he makes cold, calculating Holmes…human. Sure, he keeps mentioning that Holmes despises feelings and what-not but at the same time, the clear bromance that ties the two guys together -- their mutual friendship and respect --really speaks well of both of them as sympathetic, cool human beings. Watson also manages to bring out the passionate side of Holmes' supremely intellectual work.
Watson provides a frame for each story: an introductory series of paragraphs sketching some dialogue with Holmes, or setting the scene of the investigation. His narration doesn't wander off into passages of thick description very often, which makes their impact all the more powerful when he does.
The focus of each story is on solving a central problem, and that means there's suspense, and there's resolution. So, it's probably not a shock to many of you that detective stories usually end with, you know, the solution to a mystery. That's part of the pleasure of reading them in the first place! Something that's kind of interesting about Doyle's endings though, is that the solution is not always accompanied by legal punishment. Like, a satisfying conclusion to a “Bones” episode would be an arrest, right? Or “Law and Order” and its spinoffs are all about convicting the criminals they track down. Holmes though, is a private detective above all, and because he is not part of an official police force, he gets some choice in how things are handled once he's solved a case. He's more interested in fairness than in observing bureaucratic technicalities. As our parents have told us time and time again, “life isn't fair.” But, by the end of a good Holmes story, you feel like it can be. The good are rewarded, the bad punished and each man gets what he deserves.
If these are somehow not enough to convince you that Sherlock Holmes is worth caring about, let me add that the bromance is top notch in these stories!
“Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it. ”
--The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sherlock and John restored my faith in (platonic) love. I hope I will be as excited to spend time with my friends fifteen years down the line as these two seem to be during their later adventures. The guys may not be romantic partners in the least, but they are life partners --and I must admit, reading about their adventures left me a little choked up!
--“A Scandal in Bohemia”
Watson's not wasting any time here. So we learn, in two sentences, that Holmes is: not fond of other people, ridiculously smart, kind of a drug addict, working unofficially to fight crime and, as if I couldn’t say it enough -- ridiculously smart!
Arthur Conan Doyle emphasizes Holmes' magnificent brain in many ways: he uses Watson's admiration to reinforce the reader's own; he gives Holmes lots of foils, including incompetent cops and the criminals he's hunting; and perhaps the best trick of all, Holmes frequently gets to show off his smarts by wowing his clients with how much he can guess about them just by looking at their outward appearances.
So it’s obvious that Sherlock Holmes is beyond intelligent, but I find this other side of him more interesting:
That any civilized human being in this nineteenth century should not be aware that the earth travelled round the sun appeared to be to me such an extraordinary fact that I could hardly realize it.
“You appear to be astonished,” he said, smiling at my expression of surprise. “Now that I do know it I shall do my best to forget it.”
-- “A Study in Scarlet”
Holmes is, in a nutshell, single-minded in his detection. In that respect, it makes sense that all emotions, particularly love, are abhorrent to his cold, precise, but admirably balanced mind. He's basically an instrument for finding out criminal stuff. I actually appreciated this, since Doyle didn't risk all the soap opera-ish entanglements that make long-running serials hard to follow without a map. He conceived each of his stories as both united by Holmes' character, and yet still potentially interesting to people who had never read any other of his stories.
As a private detective, Holmes totally uses his powers for good. Everyone in Victorian London, from the lowliest governess to the highest nobleman, eventually comes to see him when they need help. It's reassuring to read about a guy who just goes around making sure that life is fair for the little guy. Sure, he may be in his business of private detective work mostly for the intellectual work rather than the moral judgment -- but for me, reading each of his stories is like reading “Chicken Soup for the Nerdy Soul”! He's so sure, and so good at getting things right, that reading his stories leaves you with a comfortable glow.
John Watson, the narrator, is definitely a main character in these stories. He is telling his own story, sure, but only in so far as that story relates to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The thing is though, he is awesome in his own right. He was an army doctor in Afghanistan, he's the one who always carries the gun in his and Holmes's most dangerous encounters,and what's more -- he is actually able to sustain a job and engage in healthy human relationships with more than one person. By also making Watson a strong character, with both medical and literary proficiency, Doyle makes Watson's admiration of Holmes' intelligence even more meaningful. He fills in gaps that Holmes lack: he provides medical assistance that Holmes can't handle and he's the one who adds human interest to Holmes' stories. Above all, he makes cold, calculating Holmes…human. Sure, he keeps mentioning that Holmes despises feelings and what-not but at the same time, the clear bromance that ties the two guys together -- their mutual friendship and respect --really speaks well of both of them as sympathetic, cool human beings. Watson also manages to bring out the passionate side of Holmes' supremely intellectual work.
Watson provides a frame for each story: an introductory series of paragraphs sketching some dialogue with Holmes, or setting the scene of the investigation. His narration doesn't wander off into passages of thick description very often, which makes their impact all the more powerful when he does.
The focus of each story is on solving a central problem, and that means there's suspense, and there's resolution. So, it's probably not a shock to many of you that detective stories usually end with, you know, the solution to a mystery. That's part of the pleasure of reading them in the first place! Something that's kind of interesting about Doyle's endings though, is that the solution is not always accompanied by legal punishment. Like, a satisfying conclusion to a “Bones” episode would be an arrest, right? Or “Law and Order” and its spinoffs are all about convicting the criminals they track down. Holmes though, is a private detective above all, and because he is not part of an official police force, he gets some choice in how things are handled once he's solved a case. He's more interested in fairness than in observing bureaucratic technicalities. As our parents have told us time and time again, “life isn't fair.” But, by the end of a good Holmes story, you feel like it can be. The good are rewarded, the bad punished and each man gets what he deserves.
If these are somehow not enough to convince you that Sherlock Holmes is worth caring about, let me add that the bromance is top notch in these stories!
“Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it. ”
--The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sherlock and John restored my faith in (platonic) love. I hope I will be as excited to spend time with my friends fifteen years down the line as these two seem to be during their later adventures. The guys may not be romantic partners in the least, but they are life partners --and I must admit, reading about their adventures left me a little choked up!
October 1, 2024
I was recently asked by my GR friend Colin, “what novel had the most impact on you in your teens/early twenties?”
I had to sit back for a few minutes and ponder that question. I read voraciously as a kid. A lot of times it was silly romances, because, well I was always looking for my Prince Charming.
But I was also growing into a modern girl, one who had big ideas about becoming someone, and doing something big in this world.
I was also fascinated by people. And mostly people who did bad things to other people. I never understood why humanity was so cruel to each other. I wanted to learn. I wanted to fix them, I guess.
My Dad gave me this book as a gift, and I remember devouring it the minute I got it.
I was fascinated with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. And I have been a fan of the two in all the many versions, since.
But the true genius is right between these pages.
When Conan Doyle started writing about the private detective, Holmes was a self-proclaimed anomaly, something that didn’t really exist in our world or at any point in history.
Although the detective novel may have been in the beginning stages.
One of the most interesting facts, is that Conan Doyle didn’t think Sherlock Holmes was a worthwhile investment of his time. It is the reason he tried to end the series at different times. Remember when he killed him off the waterfall?
(Oh no - did I just give away a spoiler?! - forgive me my dear GR friends! You know me, I don't typically do this...but...it was part of the point I was making about the author - so I apologize for this!)
He was more interested in writing historical pieces, and about the after-life. (We won’t go there!)
But people wanted Holmes, and he complied. Thank goodness!
Another interesting fact is that those in academics considered Sherlock as a historical figure, as if he truly existed. It is done in jest, on some level, but it is a common convention which began quite early, because Dr. Watson, was publishing the exploits in periodicals as case notes. And that made people clamor for more. (Of course, we know that Dr. Watson was Conan Doyle's character, too.)
About this book...
It has 4 full length novels and 56 short stories about the colorful adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his side-kick Dr. Watson.
The author, John Le Carre wrote in November 14, 2006, as he reviewed the 150th printing of this edition, “Dr. Watson doesn’t write to you, he talks to you, with Edwardian courtesy, across a glowing fire. His voice has no barriers or affections. It is clear, energetic and decent, the voice of a tweedy, no-nonsense colonial Britisher at ease with himself.”
Ahhh.... you can feel that, right?
For me the stories and novels are well-written. They appealed to my younger self. I was fascinated with Holmes ability to read people. And I wanted that skill-set. I decided early on that was going to be an important “ability” for me to have as a life skill. Focus on the small details. Look directly at people. Listen to them. Hear what they are not saying.
And to be honest those skills have served me well. (Thank you Sherlock!)
There are passages of beauty, moments of suspense, and many, many quotables. It is addicting. We as readers, are drawn in and become the detective, too.
Holmes was a towering genius in so many ways. Dr. Watson gives the stability, where Holmes in his creativity is sometimes off kilter, but we love him, and we are always mesmerized by how he can solve cases.
And…
This was probably the only time I was not intimidated by 1,122 pages.
I still have my copy of the book my Dad gave me. The cover may be weathered, and the pages are well-read and worn, but, this book, is also, well-loved.
Thank you Colin for the question.
I had to sit back for a few minutes and ponder that question. I read voraciously as a kid. A lot of times it was silly romances, because, well I was always looking for my Prince Charming.
But I was also growing into a modern girl, one who had big ideas about becoming someone, and doing something big in this world.
I was also fascinated by people. And mostly people who did bad things to other people. I never understood why humanity was so cruel to each other. I wanted to learn. I wanted to fix them, I guess.
My Dad gave me this book as a gift, and I remember devouring it the minute I got it.
I was fascinated with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. And I have been a fan of the two in all the many versions, since.
But the true genius is right between these pages.
When Conan Doyle started writing about the private detective, Holmes was a self-proclaimed anomaly, something that didn’t really exist in our world or at any point in history.
Although the detective novel may have been in the beginning stages.
One of the most interesting facts, is that Conan Doyle didn’t think Sherlock Holmes was a worthwhile investment of his time. It is the reason he tried to end the series at different times. Remember when he killed him off the waterfall?
(Oh no - did I just give away a spoiler?! - forgive me my dear GR friends! You know me, I don't typically do this...but...it was part of the point I was making about the author - so I apologize for this!)
He was more interested in writing historical pieces, and about the after-life. (We won’t go there!)
But people wanted Holmes, and he complied. Thank goodness!
Another interesting fact is that those in academics considered Sherlock as a historical figure, as if he truly existed. It is done in jest, on some level, but it is a common convention which began quite early, because Dr. Watson, was publishing the exploits in periodicals as case notes. And that made people clamor for more. (Of course, we know that Dr. Watson was Conan Doyle's character, too.)
About this book...
It has 4 full length novels and 56 short stories about the colorful adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his side-kick Dr. Watson.
The author, John Le Carre wrote in November 14, 2006, as he reviewed the 150th printing of this edition, “Dr. Watson doesn’t write to you, he talks to you, with Edwardian courtesy, across a glowing fire. His voice has no barriers or affections. It is clear, energetic and decent, the voice of a tweedy, no-nonsense colonial Britisher at ease with himself.”
Ahhh.... you can feel that, right?
For me the stories and novels are well-written. They appealed to my younger self. I was fascinated with Holmes ability to read people. And I wanted that skill-set. I decided early on that was going to be an important “ability” for me to have as a life skill. Focus on the small details. Look directly at people. Listen to them. Hear what they are not saying.
And to be honest those skills have served me well. (Thank you Sherlock!)
There are passages of beauty, moments of suspense, and many, many quotables. It is addicting. We as readers, are drawn in and become the detective, too.
Holmes was a towering genius in so many ways. Dr. Watson gives the stability, where Holmes in his creativity is sometimes off kilter, but we love him, and we are always mesmerized by how he can solve cases.
And…
This was probably the only time I was not intimidated by 1,122 pages.
I still have my copy of the book my Dad gave me. The cover may be weathered, and the pages are well-read and worn, but, this book, is also, well-loved.
Thank you Colin for the question.
November 3, 2018
Ten stars would be too few for A C Doyle in the interpretation of Stephen Fry ... two Masters meet ..... and give delight to readers ......
April 12, 2018
Rating: 3.5-3.75 stars?
October 11, 2016
I have no idea how I let myself get so long in the tooth before finally settling down and reading this collection. Suffice to say I am glad I finally came to my senses.
It is all here, every Sherlock Holmes story ever penned by Arthur Conan Doyle. There are four complete novels and five books of case studies. Relax I am not going to even attempt to review every one of these. That would be tedious for me as well as you.
There is no doubt that my hands down favourite of the entire collection was The Hound of the Baskervilles, but make no mistake I loved it all.
According to Goodreads I started reading this collection on June 23 of this year and I am just now able to close off my review. With the exception of the novels which I read straight through once I had started them, the balance of the case files I read in between other books. I must say I truly enjoyed this approach and looked forward to dropping in to see what Sherlock was up to every now and again.
Sadly all good things must come to an end. It was however an experience I shall never forget and I shall certainly miss Watson and Holmes. I may have to go back and pay them a visit again sometime.
It is all here, every Sherlock Holmes story ever penned by Arthur Conan Doyle. There are four complete novels and five books of case studies. Relax I am not going to even attempt to review every one of these. That would be tedious for me as well as you.
There is no doubt that my hands down favourite of the entire collection was The Hound of the Baskervilles, but make no mistake I loved it all.
According to Goodreads I started reading this collection on June 23 of this year and I am just now able to close off my review. With the exception of the novels which I read straight through once I had started them, the balance of the case files I read in between other books. I must say I truly enjoyed this approach and looked forward to dropping in to see what Sherlock was up to every now and again.
Sadly all good things must come to an end. It was however an experience I shall never forget and I shall certainly miss Watson and Holmes. I may have to go back and pay them a visit again sometime.
March 2, 2024
First times, it's about doing it. Get to the finish. Much like first sex. Later, reading these stories can offer other delights. The language of course. And something else. The women in these stories are not, I stress - are not, altogether the damsels in distress that their hats with veils might suggest. In one story, that veil is worn, then lifted, by a woman with incredible courage. Other women bravely risk their lives to avenge their sisters or men who have suffered, too. The women. That's what he gets right in these stories. They've got spunk. And they give it back to me when mine needs pumping.
The long sentences are like deep breaths to me. Those breaths that soothe. Conan Doyle, like another great storyteller W. Somerset Maugham, had the medical training. This trains the eye to observe. More writers would benefit from this I dare say. Observe and record. Be a witness. Be the scribe for others in their misery and joy. Become hunched over that pad of paper as a good secretary to life. Conan Doyle does this. And to read him is to follow him on his rounds so to speak. All of humanity is here. And this is what I return to read when life weighs me down and I must come up for air.
The long sentences are like deep breaths to me. Those breaths that soothe. Conan Doyle, like another great storyteller W. Somerset Maugham, had the medical training. This trains the eye to observe. More writers would benefit from this I dare say. Observe and record. Be a witness. Be the scribe for others in their misery and joy. Become hunched over that pad of paper as a good secretary to life. Conan Doyle does this. And to read him is to follow him on his rounds so to speak. All of humanity is here. And this is what I return to read when life weighs me down and I must come up for air.
November 23, 2020
I'm a fantasy girl. I never liked detective stories. Until I got Sherlocked.
July 15, 2021
স্কুলের শেষে এসএসসির পর পুরো 'শার্লক হোমস অমনিবাস' টানা পড়ে শেষ করেছিলাম, সম্ভবত একবসাতেই। কলকাতার তুলি-কলম প্রকাশনীর প্রকাশিত মণীন্দ্র দত্তের দুর্দান্ত অসাধারণ পূর্নাঙ্গ অনুবাদ। গভীর মুগ্ধতায় এক বিস্ময়কর ঘোরের মাঝে ডুবে ছিলাম কয়েকটা দিন । ইতোপূর্বে শার্লক হোমস কে, কি, কেন এসব সম্পর্কে তখন আবছা আবছা ধা���ণা বৈ আর কিছুই জানা ছিল না। এখনকার অতি বিচক্ষণ ও অভিজ্ঞ পাঠকদের মত আগেভাগেই সব জেনে যাবার কোন সুযোগ ছিল না, একেবারে আনকোরা চোখে নতুন এক জগত আবিষ্কারের অনাবিল নিখাঁদ আনন্দের সাথে প্রতিটি গল্প প্রতিটি পৃষ্ঠা উপভোগ করেছিলাম।
প্রথম উপন্যাস আ স্টাডি ইন স্কারলেট-এ প্রথমবারের মত হোমসের ক্ষুরধার বুদ্ধিদীপ্তির চমকপ্রদ প্রমাণ, মহাজটিল রহস্যকাহিনীর ভেতরেই অপ্রত্যাশিতভাবে হৃদয়ভাঙ্গা এক বিয়োগান্তক প্রেমের গল্প, নিদারুণ কঠিন প্রতিশোধপরায়ণতা। আমি বলা যায় ডয়েলের কল্পনাশক্তির এক ঘুষিতেই কুপোকাত! কিন্তু সে তো সবে শুরু, বিশ্ববিখ্যাত দ্য হাউন্ড অফ দ্য বাস্কারভিলস পড়ে প্রতিটা মুহুর্তে যে গা শিউরানো শিহরণ, রুদ্ধশ্বাস রোমাঞ্চ আর ক্ষণে ক্ষণে উচ্চরক্তচাপ অনুভব করেছিলাম তা এখনো পরিষ্কার মনে আছে । ভরদুপুর বেলাতেও ভয়াল বাদা'র (জলাভূমি) ভীতিকর পরিবেশের বর্ণনা পড়ে বাস্তবিকই আমার গা কাঁটা দিয়ে উঠছিল । এটি আমার জীবনে পড়া ২য় সর্বশ্রেষ্ঠ রহস্যোপন্যাস (১মটি আগাথা ক্রিস্টি'র অতুলনীয় 'অ্যাণ্ড দেন দেয়ার ওয়ার নান') । দ্য সাইন অফ ফোর আরেকটি অতি অতি অসাধারণরকমের দুর্ধর্ষ রহস্যোপন্যাস; আপাতঃ অসম্ভব সিচুয়েশনে অদ্ভূত এক খুনের ঘটনা, আর পরিস্থিতির সাথে পাল্লা দিয়ে হোমসের বিদ্যুৎগতির তদন্ত ও একের পর এক বুদ্ধির ঝিলিক, দৌড়ের উপরে লন্ডনের এক অন্ধকার প্রাসাদবাড়ির খুনের ঘটনাস্থল থেকে আমাকে নিয়ে ফেলেছিল পৃথিবীর অপর প্রান্তে ব্রিটিশশাসিত ভারতের আগ্রা দূর্গের ফটকে আরেক খুনের ঘটনায়... সবকিছুর সাথে কিভাবে যেন জড়িয়ে গেল রোমাঞ্চকর গুপ্তধন-শিকারের গল্প! উপন্যাসগুলোর মধ্যে একমাত্র দ্য ভ্যালি অফ ফিয়ার পড়েই সেই মাত্রার মজা পাইনি, তারপরেও ভিন্নস্বাদের কাহিনী হিসেবে ভালই লেগেছিল, মাঝখানে আবার ওয়েস্টার্ন-ধর্মী কিছু ফ্ল্যাশব্যাকও আছে (কয়েকবার পড়ে নিশ্চিত হতে হয়েছিল যে ভুল করে অন্য গল্পে ঢুকে যাইনি!)। হোমসের ছোটগল্পও প্রতিটাই ডিজার্ভিংলি ক্লাসিক, ছোট মরিচে ঝাল বেশির মত, বিশেষত দ্য অ্যাডভেঞ্চারস অফ শার্লক হোমস আর দ্য রিটার্ন অফ শার্লক হোমস-এর সবগুলো গল্প । বলা বাহুল্য দ্য মেমোয়ারস অফ শার্লক হোমস-এরও অধিকাংশ গল্প যথারীতি দারুণ, বিশেষ ভাবে উল্লেখ করতে হয় সংকলনের সর্বশেষ গল্প 'দ্য ফাইনাল প্রবলেম'-এর কথা, যাতে প্রথম ও শেষবারের মত আবির্ভাব ঘটে হোমসের চিরশত্রু ও সবচেয়ে বিপজ্জনক প্রতিপক্ষ ডঃ জেমস মরিয়ার্টির। গল্পের শেষে রাইকেনবাক প্রপাতের গোড়ায় তাদের দুজনার দ্বৈরথ ও তার নাটকীয় সমাপ্তি এমনই ধাক্কা দিবে পাঠককে যা থেকে বোধ করি আক্ষরিক অর্থেই "ক্লিফহ্যাঙ্গার" শব্দটার উৎপত্তি হলেও অবাক হব না। লিখতে গিয়ে এখন খেয়াল হল, দ্য কেসবুক অফ শার্লক হোমস আর হিজ লাস্ট বাও-এর বেশিরভাগ গল্পই কেন জানি এখন একেবারে মনে নাই, তাই মনে হচ্ছে খুব শিঘ্রই অনেক বছর পর আবার রিভাইজ দেয়া দরকার বইটা। পড়েছি তো সেই ২০ বছর আগে!
দুই যুগ পর আজ হুট করে স্মৃতিকাতর হয়ে গেলাম শ��র্লক হোমসের পৃথিবীতে প্রবেশের প্রথম অনুভূতির কথা মনে পড়ায়। বর্তমান প্রজন্ম ও আগামী প্রজন্মের জন্য এখন আফসোস হয়, পৃথিবীটা হাতের মুঠোতে চলে আসায় সম্ভবত আর কখনই তাদের কেউ আমার মত কোনপ্রকার পূর্ব ধারণা ছাড়া সম্পূর্ণ নতুন দৃষ্টিতে শার্লক হোমসের জগত উন্মোচনের আনন্দ আস্বাদন করতে পারবে না। তবে একটা কথা ধ্রুবসত্য - হাল আমলে যত নিত্যনতুন সৃজনশীলতাই আনুক না কেন শার্লককে টিভিতে-মুভিতে-বইতে নতুনভাবে নতুন সময়ে নতুন প্রেক্ষাপটে উপস্থাপন করে (আমি নিজেও অবশ্য এসবের ভক্ত ভালরকম), প্রকৃত শার্লক হোমস আর তার ভিক্টোরিয়ান লন্ডনের ২২১-বি বেকার স্ট��রিটে সেইসব যাবতীয় গল্পগাঁথা আর্থার কোনান ডয়েলের লেখাতেই অমর হয়ে আছে যুগ থেকে যুগান্তরে, চিরকাল তাই থাকবে।
প্রথম উপন্যাস আ স্টাডি ইন স্কারলেট-এ প্রথমবারের মত হোমসের ক্ষুরধার বুদ্ধিদীপ্তির চমকপ্রদ প্রমাণ, মহাজটিল রহস্যকাহিনীর ভেতরেই অপ্রত্যাশিতভাবে হৃদয়ভাঙ্গা এক বিয়োগান্তক প্রেমের গল্প, নিদারুণ কঠিন প্রতিশোধপরায়ণতা। আমি বলা যায় ডয়েলের কল্পনাশক্তির এক ঘুষিতেই কুপোকাত! কিন্তু সে তো সবে শুরু, বিশ্ববিখ্যাত দ্য হাউন্ড অফ দ্য বাস্কারভিলস পড়ে প্রতিটা মুহুর্তে যে গা শিউরানো শিহরণ, রুদ্ধশ্বাস রোমাঞ্চ আর ক্ষণে ক্ষণে উচ্চরক্তচাপ অনুভব করেছিলাম তা এখনো পরিষ্কার মনে আছে । ভরদুপুর বেলাতেও ভয়াল বাদা'র (জলাভূমি) ভীতিকর পরিবেশের বর্ণনা পড়ে বাস্তবিকই আমার গা কাঁটা দিয়ে উঠছিল । এটি আমার জীবনে পড়া ২য় সর্বশ্রেষ্ঠ রহস্যোপন্যাস (১মটি আগাথা ক্রিস্টি'র অতুলনীয় 'অ্যাণ্ড দেন দেয়ার ওয়ার নান') । দ্য সাইন অফ ফোর আরেকটি অতি অতি অসাধারণরকমের দুর্ধর্ষ রহস্যোপন্যাস; আপাতঃ অসম্ভব সিচুয়েশনে অদ্ভূত এক খুনের ঘটনা, আর পরিস্থিতির সাথে পাল্লা দিয়ে হোমসের বিদ্যুৎগতির তদন্ত ও একের পর এক বুদ্ধির ঝিলিক, দৌড়ের উপরে লন্ডনের এক অন্ধকার প্রাসাদবাড়ির খুনের ঘটনাস্থল থেকে আমাকে নিয়ে ফেলেছিল পৃথিবীর অপর প্রান্তে ব্রিটিশশাসিত ভারতের আগ্রা দূর্গের ফটকে আরেক খুনের ঘটনায়... সবকিছুর সাথে কিভাবে যেন জড়িয়ে গেল রোমাঞ্চকর গুপ্তধন-শিকারের গল্প! উপন্যাসগুলোর মধ্যে একমাত্র দ্য ভ্যালি অফ ফিয়ার পড়েই সেই মাত্রার মজা পাইনি, তারপরেও ভিন্নস্বাদের কাহিনী হিসেবে ভালই লেগেছিল, মাঝখানে আবার ওয়েস্টার্ন-ধর্মী কিছু ফ্ল্যাশব্যাকও আছে (কয়েকবার পড়ে নিশ্চিত হতে হয়েছিল যে ভুল করে অন্য গল্পে ঢুকে যাইনি!)। হোমসের ছোটগল্পও প্রতিটাই ডিজার্ভিংলি ক্লাসিক, ছোট মরিচে ঝাল বেশির মত, বিশেষত দ্য অ্যাডভেঞ্চারস অফ শার্লক হোমস আর দ্য রিটার্ন অফ শার্লক হোমস-এর সবগুলো গল্প । বলা বাহুল্য দ্য মেমোয়ারস অফ শার্লক হোমস-এরও অধিকাংশ গল্প যথারীতি দারুণ, বিশেষ ভাবে উল্লেখ করতে হয় সংকলনের সর্বশেষ গল্প 'দ্য ফাইনাল প্রবলেম'-এর কথা, যাতে প্রথম ও শেষবারের মত আবির্ভাব ঘটে হোমসের চিরশত্রু ও সবচেয়ে বিপজ্জনক প্রতিপক্ষ ডঃ জেমস মরিয়ার্টির। গল্পের শেষে রাইকেনবাক প্রপাতের গোড়ায় তাদের দুজনার দ্বৈরথ ও তার নাটকীয় সমাপ্তি এমনই ধাক্কা দিবে পাঠককে যা থেকে বোধ করি আক্ষরিক অর্থেই "ক্লিফহ্যাঙ্গার" শব্দটার উৎপত্তি হলেও অবাক হব না। লিখতে গিয়ে এখন খেয়াল হল, দ্য কেসবুক অফ শার্লক হোমস আর হিজ লাস্ট বাও-এর বেশিরভাগ গল্পই কেন জানি এখন একেবারে মনে নাই, তাই মনে হচ্ছে খুব শিঘ্রই অনেক বছর পর আবার রিভাইজ দেয়া দরকার বইটা। পড়েছি তো সেই ২০ বছর আগে!
দুই যুগ পর আজ হুট করে স্মৃতিকাতর হয়ে গেলাম শ��র্লক হোমসের পৃথিবীতে প্রবেশের প্রথম অনুভূতির কথা মনে পড়ায়। বর্তমান প্রজন্ম ও আগামী প্রজন্মের জন্য এখন আফসোস হয়, পৃথিবীটা হাতের মুঠোতে চলে আসায় সম্ভবত আর কখনই তাদের কেউ আমার মত কোনপ্রকার পূর্ব ধারণা ছাড়া সম্পূর্ণ নতুন দৃষ্টিতে শার্লক হোমসের জগত উন্মোচনের আনন্দ আস্বাদন করতে পারবে না। তবে একটা কথা ধ্রুবসত্য - হাল আমলে যত নিত্যনতুন সৃজনশীলতাই আনুক না কেন শার্লককে টিভিতে-মুভিতে-বইতে নতুনভাবে নতুন সময়ে নতুন প্রেক্ষাপটে উপস্থাপন করে (আমি নিজেও অবশ্য এসবের ভক্ত ভালরকম), প্রকৃত শার্লক হোমস আর তার ভিক্টোরিয়ান লন্ডনের ২২১-বি বেকার স্ট��রিটে সেইসব যাবতীয় গল্পগাঁথা আর্থার কোনান ডয়েলের লেখাতেই অমর হয়ে আছে যুগ থেকে যুগান্তরে, চিরকাল তাই থাকবে।
'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.'
- Sherlock Holmes, 'The Sign of Four'
June 20, 2020
*Nota bene: Долуописаната сцена не е част от никоя от историите на сър Артър Конан Дойл. Всяка прилика с фикционални лица и събития обаче е напълно преднамерена.
Квартирата на Шерлок Холмс и д-р Джон Уотсън на ул. „Бейкър“ 221Б, Лондон. Холмс е погълнат от химичен експеримент, а Уотсън седи в кресло пред камината, взира се в пламъците и от време на време се оглежда неспокойно.
- Уотсън, убеден съм, че нервната Ви превъзбуда е напълно необоснована. Тихото шумолене, което така често прекъсва хода на мислите Ви, не може да бъде нищо друго, освен отгръщане на страниците на книга. Съвсем очевидно е, че някой чете за нас! Явно Вашите описания на скромните ни преживявания са привлекли публика.
- Колко смущаващо ти самият да си обект на нечие изследване… Кой ли би могъл да бъде?
- Смятам, че имаме работа с не твърде висока дама, тъмнокоса, с увлечение към викторианската литература.
- Холмс, предполагам, че за организиран ум като Вашия тези заключения са напълно логични, но бихте ли…
- Лекият аромат, който и двамата долавяме, разбира се, е на жасминов чай – съгласете се, че ако нашият наблюдател беше мъж, по-вероятният му избор би бил стипчив и силен „English breakfast“ например. За интереса на дамата към този тип четива можем да предположим по ритмичното и относително бавно отгръщане на страниците – твърде вероятно става въпрос за препрочитане на абзаци или просто за бавно наслаждаване на текста. Като се замисля може да бъде и някой слабоумен клетник със странни гастрономически навици… Но по-добре е да се придържаме към първоначалното ми предположение.
- Но откъде разбрахте, че става въпрос за дребна брюнетка, Холмс?!
- Както и сам знаете, драги ми Уотсън, представителките на прекрасния пол, които са наясно със своята… хм, физическа и метафорична висота в обществото, ако мога така да се изразя, често предпочитат по-светски занимания от книгите за двама старомодни джентълмени. Що се отнася до цвета на косата, тъмнокосите хора статистически винаги са били по-многобройни от светлите, но прибавих този детайл по-скоро за изчерпателност. Мисля, че все пак е безопасно да възприемем заключенията ми като работна хипотеза за момента.
- Но какво ще правим?
- Предлагам и този път да видим къде ще ни отведе случаят и просто да се оставим да бъдем изследвани…
Небезизвестните приключения на двамата лондонски господа се разстилат тържествено, подобно на „Болеро“-то на Морис Равел или пък са жизнерадостни и бързи като „На хубавия син Дунав“ на Щраус-син, но понякога добиват и тревожните нотки на Бетховеновата „Лунна соната“. Бих казала, че Шерлок и Уотсън са една от най-синергичните двойки в литературата, но вече не съм чак толкова малка, че да си въобразявам, че знам всичко. Уотсън винаги задава точните въпроси, които разкриват тихото величие на неповторимия детектив на Артър Конан Дойл. Добрият доктор смирено приема ролята си на втора цигулка (все пак Холмс има завидна практика в тази област на музиката) и на него неизменно може да се разчита – ако не за дедукции, то поне за допълнителен зареден револвер и много кураж. Дарбите на Холмс се простират от разпознаване на аромата на 75 различни парфюма, през 140 вида тютюн, та чак до подробности за личния живот по отпечатъка на обувката. Шерлок неминуемо има и своите слабости – подчертаният уклон към драматизъм и употребата на седемпроцентен разтвор на кокаин са част от примерите, които обаче само добавят благородна патина към мекия блясък на чистия ум.
Признавам, че съм напълно пристрастна и прочутото отвратително английско време, изтънчени маниери и високомерни обноски винаги са ми били по-близки, отколкото е допустимо, ако си зърнал Албиона за пръв път едва след като си минал двайсетте. Някой по-запознат от мен с детективските истории би казал, че заключенията на Холмс не само граничат, но и често бродят далеч отвъд границите на вероятното. Аз обаче в дост�� отношения съм привърженик на по-овехтелите школи, затова обичам като покорен читател да се оставям щастливо да ме водят за носа, особено по толкова словесно издържан начин. Ако сте изкушени да проследите развитието на западната детективска традиция между По и Уилки Колинс от една страна и Агата Кристи и всички останали нови попълнения на жанра от друга, непременно се отбийте на по питие и лула у Шерлок и Уотсън. Няма да съжалявате.
Квартирата на Шерлок Холмс и д-р Джон Уотсън на ул. „Бейкър“ 221Б, Лондон. Холмс е погълнат от химичен експеримент, а Уотсън седи в кресло пред камината, взира се в пламъците и от време на време се оглежда неспокойно.
- Уотсън, убеден съм, че нервната Ви превъзбуда е напълно необоснована. Тихото шумолене, което така често прекъсва хода на мислите Ви, не може да бъде нищо друго, освен отгръщане на страниците на книга. Съвсем очевидно е, че някой чете за нас! Явно Вашите описания на скромните ни преживявания са привлекли публика.
- Колко смущаващо ти самият да си обект на нечие изследване… Кой ли би могъл да бъде?
- Смятам, че имаме работа с не твърде висока дама, тъмнокоса, с увлечение към викторианската литература.
- Холмс, предполагам, че за организиран ум като Вашия тези заключения са напълно логични, но бихте ли…
- Лекият аромат, който и двамата долавяме, разбира се, е на жасминов чай – съгласете се, че ако нашият наблюдател беше мъж, по-вероятният му избор би бил стипчив и силен „English breakfast“ например. За интереса на дамата към този тип четива можем да предположим по ритмичното и относително бавно отгръщане на страниците – твърде вероятно става въпрос за препрочитане на абзаци или просто за бавно наслаждаване на текста. Като се замисля може да бъде и някой слабоумен клетник със странни гастрономически навици… Но по-добре е да се придържаме към първоначалното ми предположение.
- Но откъде разбрахте, че става въпрос за дребна брюнетка, Холмс?!
- Както и сам знаете, драги ми Уотсън, представителките на прекрасния пол, които са наясно със своята… хм, физическа и метафорична висота в обществото, ако мога така да се изразя, често предпочитат по-светски занимания от книгите за двама старомодни джентълмени. Що се отнася до цвета на косата, тъмнокосите хора статистически винаги са били по-многобройни от светлите, но прибавих този детайл по-скоро за изчерпателност. Мисля, че все пак е безопасно да възприемем заключенията ми като работна хипотеза за момента.
- Но какво ще правим?
- Предлагам и този път да видим къде ще ни отведе случаят и просто да се оставим да бъдем изследвани…
Небезизвестните приключения на двамата лондонски господа се разстилат тържествено, подобно на „Болеро“-то на Морис Равел или пък са жизнерадостни и бързи като „На хубавия син Дунав“ на Щраус-син, но понякога добиват и тревожните нотки на Бетховеновата „Лунна соната“. Бих казала, че Шерлок и Уотсън са една от най-синергичните двойки в литературата, но вече не съм чак толкова малка, че да си въобразявам, че знам всичко. Уотсън винаги задава точните въпроси, които разкриват тихото величие на неповторимия детектив на Артър Конан Дойл. Добрият доктор смирено приема ролята си на втора цигулка (все пак Холмс има завидна практика в тази област на музиката) и на него неизменно може да се разчита – ако не за дедукции, то поне за допълнителен зареден револвер и много кураж. Дарбите на Холмс се простират от разпознаване на аромата на 75 различни парфюма, през 140 вида тютюн, та чак до подробности за личния живот по отпечатъка на обувката. Шерлок неминуемо има и своите слабости – подчертаният уклон към драматизъм и употребата на седемпроцентен разтвор на кокаин са част от примерите, които обаче само добавят благородна патина към мекия блясък на чистия ум.
Признавам, че съм напълно пристрастна и прочутото отвратително английско време, изтънчени маниери и високомерни обноски винаги са ми били по-близки, отколкото е допустимо, ако си зърнал Албиона за пръв път едва след като си минал двайсетте. Някой по-запознат от мен с детективските истории би казал, че заключенията на Холмс не само граничат, но и често бродят далеч отвъд границите на вероятното. Аз обаче в дост�� отношения съм привърженик на по-овехтелите школи, затова обичам като покорен читател да се оставям щастливо да ме водят за носа, особено по толкова словесно издържан начин. Ако сте изкушени да проследите развитието на западната детективска традиция между По и Уилки Колинс от една страна и Агата Кристи и всички останали нови попълнения на жанра от друга, непременно се отбийте на по питие и лула у Шерлок и Уотсън. Няма да съжалявате.
April 7, 2023
Having been a fan of these stories and the main characters for years, I'd like to make two observations:
1) I guess it's based on expectations, but I think some adult readers over-react when they read these stories for the first time. I think if these stories were published as something new today, they'd be classified as YA. Which is fine. I've read my share of YA and enjoyed it. We know these books are not supposed to be on the same level as Dickens, Shakespeare, or Infinite Jest in their sophistication.
2) Some attempts to adapt Holmes overemphasize the detecting methodology, which is certainly quite inadequate by modern standards. The heart of these stories is the relationship between Holmes & Watson. The reader fills the shoes of Watson and goes off on these seemingly wild goose chases and it's fun. That's the point.
========
I’ve read the Holmes stories many times over the years and watched all the Jeremy Brett adaptations several times, as well. Unfortunately because of Brett’s ill health, he was less and less present in the last adaptations and his death prevented him from finishing the Holmes canon
I became curious which of the Holmes stories did not get adapted and found a list at the bottom of the Wikipedia entry below.
I proceeded to read all of the unadapted stories and did not remember a one of them and found some of them quite terrible. I can say, unreservedly, nothing was lost in not adapting them.
Looking more closely, except for the novellas, A Study in Scarlet and The Valley of Fear, the unadapted, weaker episodes could be found in the last three volumes of the Holmes’ books.
This is no surprise given that in volume 3 of the Holmes stories, “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes” author Doyle killed off his main character in a story titled “The Final Problem,” where Holmes and his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty, fall to their deaths while fighting at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland.
Arthur Conan Doyle was sick of Holmes and wanted that to be the last of him. But a prolonged hue and cry from the reading public, and some financial need of Doyle's, brought back Holmes some 11 years later . And while Doyle’s final three volumes have many excellent adventures in them, some of which have been adapted to the screen, it’s also no surprise that these volumes have all of his worst tales. Doyle’s heart was not always in it.
Although Doyle had written other adventure series, Professor Challenger and Brigadier Gerard, he considered his true calling to be an author of Medieval Romances, with knights and so forth. I read some of them and they are quite wordy and pretty bad. The short story was Doyle’s true métier. And I say, without hesitation, if not for Holmes, Doyle would now be forgotten.
==============
The best of these short stories have had amazing staying power. They're concise and action-packed, full of romance and mystery in a setting at once old and modern. But they don't carry the baggage of Victorian verbiage that make lit from that era tough for modern readers. They're wonderfully escapist when the brain needs a rest or perhaps if you're fighting the flu.
"We must begin in Baker Street; and best of all, if possible, let it be a stormy winter morning when Holmes routs Watson out of bed in haste. The doctor wakes to see that tall, ascetic figure by the bedside with a candle. "Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot!" (Christopher Morley)
=============
“I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”
"the grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the every-day affairs of life it is more useful to reason forwards, and so the other comes to be neglected. There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically.”
=========
The perfect duo....
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...
=========
Adapted and unadapted stories per Jeremy Brett....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
1) I guess it's based on expectations, but I think some adult readers over-react when they read these stories for the first time. I think if these stories were published as something new today, they'd be classified as YA. Which is fine. I've read my share of YA and enjoyed it. We know these books are not supposed to be on the same level as Dickens, Shakespeare, or Infinite Jest in their sophistication.
2) Some attempts to adapt Holmes overemphasize the detecting methodology, which is certainly quite inadequate by modern standards. The heart of these stories is the relationship between Holmes & Watson. The reader fills the shoes of Watson and goes off on these seemingly wild goose chases and it's fun. That's the point.
========
I’ve read the Holmes stories many times over the years and watched all the Jeremy Brett adaptations several times, as well. Unfortunately because of Brett’s ill health, he was less and less present in the last adaptations and his death prevented him from finishing the Holmes canon
I became curious which of the Holmes stories did not get adapted and found a list at the bottom of the Wikipedia entry below.
I proceeded to read all of the unadapted stories and did not remember a one of them and found some of them quite terrible. I can say, unreservedly, nothing was lost in not adapting them.
Looking more closely, except for the novellas, A Study in Scarlet and The Valley of Fear, the unadapted, weaker episodes could be found in the last three volumes of the Holmes’ books.
This is no surprise given that in volume 3 of the Holmes stories, “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes” author Doyle killed off his main character in a story titled “The Final Problem,” where Holmes and his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty, fall to their deaths while fighting at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland.
Arthur Conan Doyle was sick of Holmes and wanted that to be the last of him. But a prolonged hue and cry from the reading public, and some financial need of Doyle's, brought back Holmes some 11 years later . And while Doyle’s final three volumes have many excellent adventures in them, some of which have been adapted to the screen, it’s also no surprise that these volumes have all of his worst tales. Doyle’s heart was not always in it.
Although Doyle had written other adventure series, Professor Challenger and Brigadier Gerard, he considered his true calling to be an author of Medieval Romances, with knights and so forth. I read some of them and they are quite wordy and pretty bad. The short story was Doyle’s true métier. And I say, without hesitation, if not for Holmes, Doyle would now be forgotten.
==============
The best of these short stories have had amazing staying power. They're concise and action-packed, full of romance and mystery in a setting at once old and modern. But they don't carry the baggage of Victorian verbiage that make lit from that era tough for modern readers. They're wonderfully escapist when the brain needs a rest or perhaps if you're fighting the flu.
"We must begin in Baker Street; and best of all, if possible, let it be a stormy winter morning when Holmes routs Watson out of bed in haste. The doctor wakes to see that tall, ascetic figure by the bedside with a candle. "Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot!" (Christopher Morley)
=============
“I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”
"the grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the every-day affairs of life it is more useful to reason forwards, and so the other comes to be neglected. There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically.”
=========
The perfect duo....
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...
=========
Adapted and unadapted stories per Jeremy Brett....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
March 7, 2015
For the Celebrity Death Match Review Tournament, Le Petit Prince (14) versus The Complete Sherlock Holmes (19)
It was some time during the summer of 19__ that I received an urgent telegram from Holmes. Arriving at 221B, Baker Street, I was struck by how little he had changed. He was older, to be sure; but his eye was as keen as ever, and his enthusiasm not one whit abated by the passage of the years.
"I trust you have brought your passport, Watson?" he said, in lieu of greeting. "We depart for Algeria this evening. The cab will be here momentarily."
"But Holmes!" I protested, as he hurried me down the stairs. "What -"
"We can discuss that once we are on the train," replied Holmes firmly. And, true to his word, he said no more until we were comfortably ensconced in the First Class carriage of the Dover Express.
"Now, Watson," said Holmes, after he had carefully packed and lit his pipe, "I wonder if you have heard of a young Frenchman called Saint-E_____. An author and aviator."
The rest of this review is available elsewhere (the location cannot be given for Goodreads policy reasons)
It was some time during the summer of 19__ that I received an urgent telegram from Holmes. Arriving at 221B, Baker Street, I was struck by how little he had changed. He was older, to be sure; but his eye was as keen as ever, and his enthusiasm not one whit abated by the passage of the years.
"I trust you have brought your passport, Watson?" he said, in lieu of greeting. "We depart for Algeria this evening. The cab will be here momentarily."
"But Holmes!" I protested, as he hurried me down the stairs. "What -"
"We can discuss that once we are on the train," replied Holmes firmly. And, true to his word, he said no more until we were comfortably ensconced in the First Class carriage of the Dover Express.
"Now, Watson," said Holmes, after he had carefully packed and lit his pipe, "I wonder if you have heard of a young Frenchman called Saint-E_____. An author and aviator."
The rest of this review is available elsewhere (the location cannot be given for Goodreads policy reasons)
July 24, 2018
Caro Arthur Conan Doyle,
So il che rapporto con la tua più famosa creatura non sempre è stato idilliaco. So che sei arrivato perfino a commettere un omicidio pur di sbarazzarti della tua onnipresente e impertinente creatura. Ma… sono contenta che ti sia ricreduto e che Sherlock Holmes, alla fine, sia sopravvissuto anche al suo peggior nemico: il suo stesso creatore.
Ora, ci sono mille altre cose che vorrei aggiungere. Ad esempio, potrei dire di come abbia cominciato con "Uno studio in rosso" che avevo ancora una decina d'anni e come, nel corso del tempo, quei racconti e quei libri mi abbiano portato ad appassionarmi sempre più alla letteratura gialla. Potrei dire di come, a Londra, mi sono fermata in contemplazione davanti alla statua di Sherlock Holmes nella famosa Baker Street, pensando al povero Watson, narratore, sempre in secondo piano, di gran parte delle storie di Holmes.
Con un certo distacco, datomi anche dalle tante letture accumulate sulle mie spalle, potrei dire che non tutti i racconti sono usciti "con il buco" e che qualche storia è più appassionante e intricata di altre. E potrei dire di come, leggendo queste storie, sia arrivata a comprendere così in profondità i meccanismi della narrazione, da arrivare alla soluzione del caso insieme a Holmes (che soddisfazione!).
Potrei dire che queste vicende rapiscono e incantano generazioni e generazioni di lettori da oltre un secolo (un sogno che ogni scrittore spera di raggiungere un giorno)! Potrei dire di come, nonostante in alcuni casi si trattasse di una rilettura, non abbia avvertito noia o insoddisfazione nel leggere storie già conosciute.
Ma dirò solo una parola: grazie.
August 4, 2012
So, I'm now done with reading this whole 2-volume 1,796-page Sherlock Holmes canon. I spent 10 months reading all the 4 novels and 56 short stories contained herein.
I really liked the experience and I am proud of this accomplishment. My first time to read a canon. Before reading this, I thought that the word canon only applied to biblical works. Well, that was the first thing I learned upon adding this book in my currently-reading folder.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote in a classy classic manner and even if his settings were not familiar to me as a Filipino, I appreciated his stories because of the universal messages in them: love of a husband to a wife, a son to a father, a father to his child, etc; the evil in greed especially when it comes to riches and money; that men can be truly friends without homosexuality getting in-between; that we have to respect the people we work with; always be wary of the people around you; and that, if used in moderation, cocaine and morphine can actually make you sharper. I cringed while typing the last one.
So, what are my takeaways from Sherlock Holmes? There are three:
Anyway, I will definitely miss Sherlock Holmes. But I have to move on to Samuel Beckett.
I really liked the experience and I am proud of this accomplishment. My first time to read a canon. Before reading this, I thought that the word canon only applied to biblical works. Well, that was the first thing I learned upon adding this book in my currently-reading folder.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote in a classy classic manner and even if his settings were not familiar to me as a Filipino, I appreciated his stories because of the universal messages in them: love of a husband to a wife, a son to a father, a father to his child, etc; the evil in greed especially when it comes to riches and money; that men can be truly friends without homosexuality getting in-between; that we have to respect the people we work with; always be wary of the people around you; and that, if used in moderation, cocaine and morphine can actually make you sharper. I cringed while typing the last one.
So, what are my takeaways from Sherlock Holmes? There are three:
1. Logical reasoning. He is a keen observer. In almost every company I joined with, there is a safety program and one of the things they teach in the training is to stop and closely look up, down, left, right, front, back for every thing that we see that can cause an accident. I think that if all of us in the company will have that power of keen observation, all factories will have zero unsafe incidents. Not only that, because Holmes has that keen observation, he uses those things that he sees to link them to his hypotheses and when he applies his knowledge in forensics (having a background on medicine), to the things he observes, it results to his power of deduction.My favorite novel of course is The Hound of the Baskervilles followed by The Sign of Four. My top 10 favorite stories are below. Interestingly, while typing this, I checked a website and all, except #1, of my choices are not among the Top 12 Sherlockians' choices haha.
2. Ability to disguise. I am still to see any Sherlock Holmes television episodes or movies but this one makes the story unbelievable for a middle age man like me but interesting enough to engage me while reading. Sherlock Holmes can be anybody: a pheasant, a woman, an old man, a soldier, a dead person, etc. Not only that, some of his characters put disguises too. This fantasy element in the story is entertaining in my mind but it is the least in terms of the practical application of what I learned from Sherlock Holmes. For one, I could not freaking imagine myself dressed like a woman.
3. Forensic skills. From the first few pages of the A Study in Scarlet when the very young Sherlock Holmes told Dr. Watson how to detect blood from the scene, I was mesmerized. Oh, I thought I knew it from my medical technology readings way back 3 decades ago. However, I am not practicing that profession so at times I already forget what I learned before. Sir Conan Doyle really puts his passion into each novel and short story because he incorporated what he learned from medical books but even history, travel and other sciences such as anthropology, handwriting analysis, weaponry, zoology and botany (I still remember the giant jellyfish). He must have been a very well-read gentlemen.
1.The Final Problem (Memoirs) - 5 starsMaybe I am just strange but I always enjoy stories that either "speak" to me or at least "surprise" me.
2. His Last Bow (Last Bow) - 5 stars
3. The Adventure of the Retired Colourman (Case Book) - 5 stars
4. The Five Orange Pips (Adventures) - 4 stars
5. The Copper Beeches (Adventures) - 4 stars
6. The Naval Treaty (Memoirs) - 4 stars
7. The Adventure of the Empty House (Return) - 4 stars
8. The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton (Return) - 4 stars
9. The Adventure of the Three Students (Return) - 4 stars
10. The Adventure of the Devil's Foot (Last Bow) - 4 stars
Anyway, I will definitely miss Sherlock Holmes. But I have to move on to Samuel Beckett.
October 18, 2024
The just recently concluded third season of the hit BBC series Sherlock was pretty much the impetus for my reread of the entire Sherlock Holmes canon this month. The show's writers were pretty much Conan Doyle inspired and the cases Benedict Cumberbatch's detective solved and episode titles were lifted from the original stories. I figured a reread of ACD's entire Holmes work was in order as I could barely remember the particulars of the original stories the show drew its inspiration.
I've read another edition of Conan Doyle's entire Holmes material but this was the first time I read it in an eBook format. It was an entirely different reading experience, almost like encountering the stories for the first time again. It was a perfect match for me current reading habits as I was heavily sourcing my reading to an iPad.
Yet, I couldn't bring myself to give this edition of the book five stars. It touted itself as "The Complete Sherlock Holmes" but the maps and other graphics are missing. The stories were still readable and enjoyable without them but it could hardly call itself a complete edition without those.
The entire Sherlock Holmes canon would definitely merit five stars. Just not this edition.
I've read another edition of Conan Doyle's entire Holmes material but this was the first time I read it in an eBook format. It was an entirely different reading experience, almost like encountering the stories for the first time again. It was a perfect match for me current reading habits as I was heavily sourcing my reading to an iPad.
Yet, I couldn't bring myself to give this edition of the book five stars. It touted itself as "The Complete Sherlock Holmes" but the maps and other graphics are missing. The stories were still readable and enjoyable without them but it could hardly call itself a complete edition without those.
The entire Sherlock Holmes canon would definitely merit five stars. Just not this edition.
August 10, 2019
I can't remember how often I've read and reread this book collection. More than 20 times since elementary school. Literally the only book that never quit on me, and it was a used book I picked up for 10 cents. Sherlock was my first crush I guess. Even now I simply cannot be objective on any level in regards to this character. It's probably a good thing I moved on to the Man From U.N.C.L.E. Well, maybe not.
Read
June 14, 2015My impression of what a Sherlock Holmes' story is actually like.
I came down to breakfast one morning to find my dear friend, Sherlock Holmes disembowelling a gerbil with a teaspoon.
"My dear Holmes," said I, "is that really necessary?"
Barely glancing up from his gruesome task, he told me that it was. "You see, Watson," he continued, "there is matter that I believe may soon become illuminated not only to you but the whole of London society."
"Good God, Holmes!" I cried. "Whatever is this?"
"Have patience, Watson," returned he. "You will understand directly."
Two days later, I came down to breakfast to discover my dear friend, Sherlock Holmes, dressed as a goldfish.
"Ah Watson," he greeted me. "You remember the matter we spoke of the other day?"
"I do, Holmes, I do!"
"Well, it is even darker and more disturbing than even I at first realised."
The next day, I came down to breakfast to discover my friend lying disconsolately among the bacon.
"Are you quite well, Holmes?" I enquired.
"I have solved the case, Watson." He sat up, brushing a fried egg from the lapel of his dressing gown. "Allow me to elucidate."
By which I mean, everything happens very statically and in a quintessentially Victorian way.
Holmes is a prick and Watson is a sycophant. The theory of deductive is bobbins and I feel genuinely sorry for Lestrade.
However ... this is motherfucking Sherlock Holmes.
And I enjoy the hell out of it. Maybe precisely because it is completely stupid.
I came down to breakfast one morning to find my dear friend, Sherlock Holmes disembowelling a gerbil with a teaspoon.
"My dear Holmes," said I, "is that really necessary?"
Barely glancing up from his gruesome task, he told me that it was. "You see, Watson," he continued, "there is matter that I believe may soon become illuminated not only to you but the whole of London society."
"Good God, Holmes!" I cried. "Whatever is this?"
"Have patience, Watson," returned he. "You will understand directly."
Two days later, I came down to breakfast to discover my dear friend, Sherlock Holmes, dressed as a goldfish.
"Ah Watson," he greeted me. "You remember the matter we spoke of the other day?"
"I do, Holmes, I do!"
"Well, it is even darker and more disturbing than even I at first realised."
The next day, I came down to breakfast to discover my friend lying disconsolately among the bacon.
"Are you quite well, Holmes?" I enquired.
"I have solved the case, Watson." He sat up, brushing a fried egg from the lapel of his dressing gown. "Allow me to elucidate."
By which I mean, everything happens very statically and in a quintessentially Victorian way.
Holmes is a prick and Watson is a sycophant. The theory of deductive is bobbins and I feel genuinely sorry for Lestrade.
However ... this is motherfucking Sherlock Holmes.
And I enjoy the hell out of it. Maybe precisely because it is completely stupid.
February 24, 2008
I was so sad when I finished this book. Nothing new to read ever again about Sherlock Holmes ... hmmmm *sigh*
June 29, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
I picked this novel hoping that there was something new but not to be. I have read or listened 🎶 to each of the stories in this book. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to each conclusion. I would recommend this free novel to 👍 fans of Sherlock Holmes and readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒☺👑
I picked this novel hoping that there was something new but not to be. I have read or listened 🎶 to each of the stories in this book. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to each conclusion. I would recommend this free novel to 👍 fans of Sherlock Holmes and readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒☺👑
June 8, 2017
Stephen Fry Narrates Sherlock Holmes
The Characters Come To Life
The Different Voices Are Amazing
Highly Recommend
October 25, 2008
I don't know if anyone else does this, but in times of stress or when I have exceptional trouble falling asleep, I find myself re-reading a favorite book. One of these used to be my complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series but alas, it *is* in fact possible to read those books too many times. Lately this book has been the Complete Sherlock Holmes.
What amazes me the most about these stories is that, despite having read through the entire collection a number of times, I seem to find something new each time I read it. Knowing the solution to the mysteries, doesn't seem to diminish the excitement at getting to Holmes' big reveal each time. The characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson become character studies, making you long for the little tidbits that provide more insight into their inner workings.
This time around I took the time to look up some of the odder Victorian words and thereby expanded my vocabulary with words like shaw (a small wood or thicket), chandler (a retailer of provisions) and extravasate (to force out from the proper vessels, as blood, so as to diffuse through the surrounding tissues).
There are other details that seem impossible to not notice: the fact that, despite Holmes and Watson being clearly hetersexual, their relationship is nevertheless odd, that Holmes was a high-functioning autistic (Asperger's, my guess), and that Watson was a terrible doctor, seeing as how he treated every patient with brandy regardless of their ailment.
But it is indeed these quirks that make the characters seem more real, and make the tales and deductions that much more enjoyable.
What amazes me the most about these stories is that, despite having read through the entire collection a number of times, I seem to find something new each time I read it. Knowing the solution to the mysteries, doesn't seem to diminish the excitement at getting to Holmes' big reveal each time. The characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson become character studies, making you long for the little tidbits that provide more insight into their inner workings.
This time around I took the time to look up some of the odder Victorian words and thereby expanded my vocabulary with words like shaw (a small wood or thicket), chandler (a retailer of provisions) and extravasate (to force out from the proper vessels, as blood, so as to diffuse through the surrounding tissues).
There are other details that seem impossible to not notice: the fact that, despite Holmes and Watson being clearly hetersexual, their relationship is nevertheless odd, that Holmes was a high-functioning autistic (Asperger's, my guess), and that Watson was a terrible doctor, seeing as how he treated every patient with brandy regardless of their ailment.
But it is indeed these quirks that make the characters seem more real, and make the tales and deductions that much more enjoyable.
July 30, 2017
One sentence until I turn up with a more powerful review :
January 18, 2025
71 hrs and 58 minutes of delight. Stephen Fry's delivery is excellent, as always. The audio book includes not only the complete collection of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and novels, but also Stephen Fry's introductions to each novel or story collection. These introductions were a pleasant surprise for me and an added value. I didn't know Stephen Fry was such a passionate Sherlockian, and since his childhood too, just like me, although, unlike him, I had never been a proud member of a distinguished Sherlockian society.
*Read in 2017.
*Read in 2017.
December 29, 2018
*My overall rating is 4.5 stars for the entire bind up. I do list each story and my rating individually, as well as my average rating for each collection.*
A Study in Scarlet : 4 stars
The Sign of the Four : 4.5 stars
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes : 3.9 stars
-"A Scandal in Bohemia": 4 stars
-"The Red-Headed League": 3.5 stars
-"A Case of Identity": 4.5 stars
-"The Boscombe Valley Mystery": 5 stars
-"The Five Orange Pips": 4 stars
-"The Man with the Twisted Lip": 3.75 stars
-"The Blue Carbuncle": 3.5 stars
-"The Speckled Band": 3 stars
-"The Engineer's Thumb": 4 stars
-"The Noble Bachelor": 4.5 stars
-"The Beryl Coronet": 3.5 stars
-"The Copper Beeches": 4 stars
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes : 3.6 stars
-"Silver Blaze": 3 stars
-"The Yellow Face": 3.5 stars
-"The Stockbroker's Clerk": 3.5 stars
-"The Gloria Scott": 3 stars
-"The Musgrave Ritual": 4.5 stars
-"The Reigate Squire": 3 stars
-"The Crooked Man": 3 stars
-"The Resident Patient": 4 stars
-"The Greek Interpreter": 4.5 stars
-"The Naval Treaty": 4 stars
-"The Final Problem": 4 stars
The Return of Sherlock Holmes : 3.2 stars
-"The Empty House": 3 stars
-"The Norwood Builder": 3 stars
-"The Dancing Men": 4 stars
-"The Solitary Cyclist": 3.5 stars
-"The Priory School": 4.25 stars
-"Black Peter": 3.75 stars
-"Charles Augustus Milverton": 3.5 stars
-"The Six Napoleons": 3.75 stars
-"The Three Students": 3.25 stars
-"The Golden Pince-Nez": 3 stars
-"The Missing Three-Quarter": 3.25 stars
-"The Abbey Grange": 3.5 stars
-"The Second Stain": 3.25 stars
The Hound of the Baskervilles : 4.5 stars
The Valley of Fear : 3.5 stars
His Last Bow : 3.6 stars
-"Wisteria Lodge": 3.75 stars
-"The Cardboard Box": 4 stars
-"The Red Circle": 3.75 stars
-"The Bruce-Partington Plans": 3.25 stars
-"The Dying Detective": 3 stars
-"The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax": 3 stars
-"The Devil's Foot": 3.5 stars
-"His Last Bow": 4.25 stars
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes : 3.9 stars
-"The Illustrious Client": 3.75 stars
-"The Blanched Soldier": 3.75 stars
-"The Mazarin Stones": 4 stars
-"The Three Gables": 3.75 stars
-"The Sussex Vampire": 4.5 stars
-"The Three Garridebs": 3.75 stars
-"Thor Bridge": 4.25 stars
-"The Creeping Man": 3.75 stars
-"The Lion's Mane": 3.75 stars
-"The Veiled Lodger": 4 stars
-"Shoscombe Old Place": 3.75 stars
-"The Retired Colourman": 3.5 stars
Average Rating Overall: 4.3 stars - rounded up to a 4.5 stars
This was a great collection of short stories and novels (novellas?). It had its ups and downs, but overall I really enjoyed my time reading this massive bind up of the entire series.
A Study in Scarlet : 4 stars
The Sign of the Four : 4.5 stars
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes : 3.9 stars
-"A Scandal in Bohemia": 4 stars
-"The Red-Headed League": 3.5 stars
-"A Case of Identity": 4.5 stars
-"The Boscombe Valley Mystery": 5 stars
-"The Five Orange Pips": 4 stars
-"The Man with the Twisted Lip": 3.75 stars
-"The Blue Carbuncle": 3.5 stars
-"The Speckled Band": 3 stars
-"The Engineer's Thumb": 4 stars
-"The Noble Bachelor": 4.5 stars
-"The Beryl Coronet": 3.5 stars
-"The Copper Beeches": 4 stars
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes : 3.6 stars
-"Silver Blaze": 3 stars
-"The Yellow Face": 3.5 stars
-"The Stockbroker's Clerk": 3.5 stars
-"The Gloria Scott": 3 stars
-"The Musgrave Ritual": 4.5 stars
-"The Reigate Squire": 3 stars
-"The Crooked Man": 3 stars
-"The Resident Patient": 4 stars
-"The Greek Interpreter": 4.5 stars
-"The Naval Treaty": 4 stars
-"The Final Problem": 4 stars
The Return of Sherlock Holmes : 3.2 stars
-"The Empty House": 3 stars
-"The Norwood Builder": 3 stars
-"The Dancing Men": 4 stars
-"The Solitary Cyclist": 3.5 stars
-"The Priory School": 4.25 stars
-"Black Peter": 3.75 stars
-"Charles Augustus Milverton": 3.5 stars
-"The Six Napoleons": 3.75 stars
-"The Three Students": 3.25 stars
-"The Golden Pince-Nez": 3 stars
-"The Missing Three-Quarter": 3.25 stars
-"The Abbey Grange": 3.5 stars
-"The Second Stain": 3.25 stars
The Hound of the Baskervilles : 4.5 stars
The Valley of Fear : 3.5 stars
His Last Bow : 3.6 stars
-"Wisteria Lodge": 3.75 stars
-"The Cardboard Box": 4 stars
-"The Red Circle": 3.75 stars
-"The Bruce-Partington Plans": 3.25 stars
-"The Dying Detective": 3 stars
-"The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax": 3 stars
-"The Devil's Foot": 3.5 stars
-"His Last Bow": 4.25 stars
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes : 3.9 stars
-"The Illustrious Client": 3.75 stars
-"The Blanched Soldier": 3.75 stars
-"The Mazarin Stones": 4 stars
-"The Three Gables": 3.75 stars
-"The Sussex Vampire": 4.5 stars
-"The Three Garridebs": 3.75 stars
-"Thor Bridge": 4.25 stars
-"The Creeping Man": 3.75 stars
-"The Lion's Mane": 3.75 stars
-"The Veiled Lodger": 4 stars
-"Shoscombe Old Place": 3.75 stars
-"The Retired Colourman": 3.5 stars
Average Rating Overall: 4.3 stars - rounded up to a 4.5 stars
This was a great collection of short stories and novels (novellas?). It had its ups and downs, but overall I really enjoyed my time reading this massive bind up of the entire series.
November 1, 2021
Before anything else, I'd like to make a couple of clarifications:
First of all this is an audiobook, although for reasons unknown to me it appears as a Kindle ebook and I can't change the format. Secondly, the ninth book in the Sherlock Holmes Series (The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes) is not included in this collection. Still, the first eight books are part of this collection and it all amounts to about 68 hours of audio.
Now, I won't even try to review so much material, as the stories are many and vary widely. All I can say is that I enjoyed the whole collection in general, specially the novels, but then I'm not that keen a reader of tales and short stories.
Most of the stories are highly atmospheric and if you've ever been to England it's very easy to immerse yourself in the narrative, which I thought was marvelous.
On the not so positive side, it must be said that apart from Watson and Holmes the other characters lack depth, but then their appearance and importance is fleeting only, and we ought to take into account that these stories were delivered to the public in episodes and had therefore to keep the interest piqued and the plot had to stay dynamic.
Finally, something that surprised me was how brief the appearance of Professor Moriarty was, as I was expecting it to be much stronger since he's deemed to be Holmes's nemesis.
All in all, highly entertaining.
First of all this is an audiobook, although for reasons unknown to me it appears as a Kindle ebook and I can't change the format. Secondly, the ninth book in the Sherlock Holmes Series (The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes) is not included in this collection. Still, the first eight books are part of this collection and it all amounts to about 68 hours of audio.
Now, I won't even try to review so much material, as the stories are many and vary widely. All I can say is that I enjoyed the whole collection in general, specially the novels, but then I'm not that keen a reader of tales and short stories.
Most of the stories are highly atmospheric and if you've ever been to England it's very easy to immerse yourself in the narrative, which I thought was marvelous.
On the not so positive side, it must be said that apart from Watson and Holmes the other characters lack depth, but then their appearance and importance is fleeting only, and we ought to take into account that these stories were delivered to the public in episodes and had therefore to keep the interest piqued and the plot had to stay dynamic.
Finally, something that surprised me was how brief the appearance of Professor Moriarty was, as I was expecting it to be much stronger since he's deemed to be Holmes's nemesis.
All in all, highly entertaining.
August 20, 2020
Most of the stories are similar to one another, but it was nice to read about old England. In my opinion the novels are better than the shorts since Doyle had the opportunity to expand the story into other areas which gave depth and breadth to the stories.
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