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mrej's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
While I love Arthur Conan Doyle and his work on Sherlock Holmes, this is my least favourite of his works I've read so far. It is still well written and an interesting mystery with the classic twists and turns.
However, my main problems with this story is firstly the blatant racism that was so prevalent in the story. I understand that these view are typical for a work published in 1890 but part of the case being solved by figuring out what race a person was by their footprint was not just appalling but also highly unlikely.
Additionally, this felt like a short story that belongs in a collection drawn out into a novella. It was so long when it did not need to be and I could tell that Doyle was attempting to make it longer with John's romance which was actually very sweet.
However, my main problems with this story is firstly the blatant racism that was so prevalent in the story. I understand that these view are typical for a work published in 1890 but part of the case being solved by figuring out what race a person was by their footprint was not just appalling but also highly unlikely.
Additionally, this felt like a short story that belongs in a collection drawn out into a novella. It was so long when it did not need to be and I could tell that Doyle was attempting to make it longer with John's romance which was actually very sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
the_literary_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an enjoyable read, but it didn't grip me the way A Study in Scarlet did years ago. The mystery wasn't as suspenseful as I thought it would be, and the long winded story about the 'villain' in the end was a bit dull.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
aritag's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
kloughlin's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Racism
Minor: Misogyny and Racial slurs
buzzcutduck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I enjoyed the plot however it is incredibly racist which I know is inherent to the time it was written however it so racist I felt most uncomfortable reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: War
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
readingelli's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Murder
Period typical racismnathanjhunt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
My 9th book finished in 2022.
This book hasn't aged well. This is my very first dive into a Sherlock Holmes novel, and I must admit, I wasn't expecting so much racism from it.
It's a snapshot into the British colonial minds and attitudes of the late 1800s. Imperialism was reaching its peak, and that forms the backbone of the plot. The whole basis of the treasure was that it was stolen in the first place. I can't sympathise with any of the characters because they're hunting for colonial gains. It really does leave a sour taste in the mouth.
The casualness of drug use at the beginning of the novel was baffling! They call this era 'The Great Binge' for a reason! If anything, this is an interesting case study into middle-class society of the time.
Casting the plot aside, I did enjoy seeing how Holmes' mind works, and having it from Watson's POV worked very well. There was a lot of monologue and explaining along the way. Every character seems to speak in the same manner and the same words. I feel like Conan Doyle was very comfortable writing as a middle-class man, but had no idea how to write characters from poorer and different backgrounds, and it's full of stereotypes. The cast, I suppose, is diverse, but it's written badly.
I left feeling unsatisfied by the story - why demonise one character, but act like the other was right with what they did? It just doesn't make any sense. And ultimately, Holmes did hardly anything in this novel, if was the characters around him mostly.
I enjoyed it somewhat, and am curious to read other Sherlock Holmes novels, but perhaps this wasn't the best one to start on.
This book hasn't aged well. This is my very first dive into a Sherlock Holmes novel, and I must admit, I wasn't expecting so much racism from it.
It's a snapshot into the British colonial minds and attitudes of the late 1800s. Imperialism was reaching its peak, and that forms the backbone of the plot. The whole basis of the treasure was that it was stolen in the first place. I can't sympathise with any of the characters because they're hunting for colonial gains. It really does leave a sour taste in the mouth.
The casualness of drug use at the beginning of the novel was baffling! They call this era 'The Great Binge' for a reason! If anything, this is an interesting case study into middle-class society of the time.
Casting the plot aside, I did enjoy seeing how Holmes' mind works, and having it from Watson's POV worked very well. There was a lot of monologue and explaining along the way. Every character seems to speak in the same manner and the same words. I feel like Conan Doyle was very comfortable writing as a middle-class man, but had no idea how to write characters from poorer and different backgrounds, and it's full of stereotypes. The cast, I suppose, is diverse, but it's written badly.
I left feeling unsatisfied by the story - why demonise one character, but act like the other was right with what they did? It just doesn't make any sense. And ultimately, Holmes did hardly anything in this novel, if was the characters around him mostly.
I enjoyed it somewhat, and am curious to read other Sherlock Holmes novels, but perhaps this wasn't the best one to start on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Minor: Cannibalism and Alcohol
crowdenks's review against another edition
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia