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rebeccazh's review against another edition
read baskerville, sign of the four and the final problem for school
cransell's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
holrob's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
humatariq's review against another edition
5.0
I have read this one several times. There was a beautiful letter size hardbound edition of this novel in my school library. It was colorfully illustrated with full page drawings on every alternate page. Needless to say, it was not kept among the ordinary shelves but decorated prominently on the huge shelves covering the whole wall behind the librarian's desk. I don't remember if we were allowed to borrow it or not, but I certainly went back to it during the weekly hour long library period quite a few times in those senior years at school.
This is also the book - and only one - where we meet Irene Adler, or "the woman" to Sherlock. In fact, the short story, A Scandal in Bohemia begins with these words:
"To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but admirably balanced mind."
My best friend at that time was the one who discovered it and showed me these very memorable first lines. I think we were in 7th grade at that time. I had never read Sherlock Holmes, but obviously I knew of his reputation. I must say that these lines failed to inspire me read the book. One way or the other, I did end up eventually reading my first Holmes; which I do not remember. But I did come back to this come eventually and really enjoyed it.
A Scandal In Bohemia may have eclipsed the other 11 stories in this collection due to its romanticization in modern TV & drama; but the rest are all equally interesting, if not more.
This is also the book - and only one - where we meet Irene Adler, or "the woman" to Sherlock. In fact, the short story, A Scandal in Bohemia begins with these words:
"To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but admirably balanced mind."
My best friend at that time was the one who discovered it and showed me these very memorable first lines. I think we were in 7th grade at that time. I had never read Sherlock Holmes, but obviously I knew of his reputation. I must say that these lines failed to inspire me read the book. One way or the other, I did end up eventually reading my first Holmes; which I do not remember. But I did come back to this come eventually and really enjoyed it.
A Scandal In Bohemia may have eclipsed the other 11 stories in this collection due to its romanticization in modern TV & drama; but the rest are all equally interesting, if not more.
valeriemoore85's review against another edition
4.0
I had never before read a Sherlock Holmes novel. I, of course, knew who Sherlock Holmes was. I had a mental image of him before ever opening one of Arthur Conan Doyle's books. But I felt that I was really missing out on something, making my classic an easy choice. I wish I could say I had a brilliant reason for choosing to read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes over one of Conan Doyle's other novels, but the truth is it was one of the few novels available at my library on the day I was there. However, I felt that it was a pretty good first read of this series.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is actually a collection of short stories, although the stories do refer to one another from time to time. It's a great pick to suggest to a reader who may not be sure that they want to read a classic. A reader can just read a story or two from this collection. Each story is around twenty pages making them a good length for a reluctant reader.
I also feel that this would make a good first classic read because this book if filled with so much. There's suspense, horror, humor and mystery. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is very much character driven. It was the characterization of Holmes that really made this book appealing to me. The best thing that I can compare Sherlock Holmes to is the TV series House. Like House, Holmes is a brilliant man who can often figure out things no one else can. He has a loyal friend, Dr. Watson, who reminds me of House's friend Dr Wilson. Holmes uses drugs, much like House has drug problems. Although, at least in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Holmes' drug use is not mentioned very much. Both House and Holmes are arrogant and well aware of their brilliance. However, their characters are likeable despite their arrogance. Both characters make sarcastic comments which are fairly humorous at times. Much like watching different episodes of House, there is a mystery that holds each story together, and the ending of the short stories of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes are somewhat known. The reader knows that Holmes will surely solve the case. It is following Holmes as he comes to the solution that is fun and exciting.
The only down side of this particular Holmes book was that while each chapter had a mystery, I'm not sure that a die-hard mystery fan would really enjoy the tales. It is hard to develop a full mystery with twists and unexpected results, as Agatha Christie does so well, in twenty pages or so. I'm interested to read a full-length Holmes novel to see if the mystery is developed a bit more fully. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is actually a collection of short stories, although the stories do refer to one another from time to time. It's a great pick to suggest to a reader who may not be sure that they want to read a classic. A reader can just read a story or two from this collection. Each story is around twenty pages making them a good length for a reluctant reader.
I also feel that this would make a good first classic read because this book if filled with so much. There's suspense, horror, humor and mystery. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is very much character driven. It was the characterization of Holmes that really made this book appealing to me. The best thing that I can compare Sherlock Holmes to is the TV series House. Like House, Holmes is a brilliant man who can often figure out things no one else can. He has a loyal friend, Dr. Watson, who reminds me of House's friend Dr Wilson. Holmes uses drugs, much like House has drug problems. Although, at least in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Holmes' drug use is not mentioned very much. Both House and Holmes are arrogant and well aware of their brilliance. However, their characters are likeable despite their arrogance. Both characters make sarcastic comments which are fairly humorous at times. Much like watching different episodes of House, there is a mystery that holds each story together, and the ending of the short stories of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes are somewhat known. The reader knows that Holmes will surely solve the case. It is following Holmes as he comes to the solution that is fun and exciting.
The only down side of this particular Holmes book was that while each chapter had a mystery, I'm not sure that a die-hard mystery fan would really enjoy the tales. It is hard to develop a full mystery with twists and unexpected results, as Agatha Christie does so well, in twenty pages or so. I'm interested to read a full-length Holmes novel to see if the mystery is developed a bit more fully. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others.
stori_time's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
kimxenia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
moonafall's review against another edition
I wish I enjoyed this more than I did. I feel like I should have.
I wish the book wasn't from Watson's point of view. It gives Holmes an excuse to understand every little minute detail. And when Watson doesn't catch something first Holmes gives him a good pat on the back and tells him that, don't worry old sport, you'll get there if you just try hard enough and drink your milk to grow big and strong. Holmes is allowed to be all-knowing, all-perceiving because the reader is in as much dark as Watson.
Speaking of our dear Watson... How does a practicing doctor have this much time on his hands? I understand that the events in the stories are most likely not one after the other and passing the time of some months. But no amount of time is given for the parts between the stories and it feels as if Watson will drop everything to be with Holmes (which he is undoubtedly in love with) and somehow is just always near him when a case goes on the market for him to solve. AND WATSON HAS A WIFE. I understand that women had a certain role they were expected to play in the home, especially in fiction written of the time and EVEN MORE SO by men. There is a scene where Watson is enjoying breakfast with his wife when a letter arrives. It is from Holmes and in it he asks Watson to spend some time with him, a few weeks mind you, to solve this case. The wife encourages him to go with a smile on her face. I get the whole, husband-knows-best mentality that is often preached during this time period, but some of Holmes' escapades end up violent and Watson would be gone for a number of weeks. Does she not actually like her husband?
I'm happy I gave this book a shot but equally happy to be rid of it.
Reason to read this book: You know someone really pretentious and can imagine them playing the part of Sherlock Holmes. Or you really like Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite character: Adler. I'd date her.
I wish the book wasn't from Watson's point of view. It gives Holmes an excuse to understand every little minute detail. And when Watson doesn't catch something first Holmes gives him a good pat on the back and tells him that, don't worry old sport, you'll get there if you just try hard enough and drink your milk to grow big and strong. Holmes is allowed to be all-knowing, all-perceiving because the reader is in as much dark as Watson.
Speaking of our dear Watson... How does a practicing doctor have this much time on his hands? I understand that the events in the stories are most likely not one after the other and passing the time of some months. But no amount of time is given for the parts between the stories and it feels as if Watson will drop everything to be with Holmes (which he is undoubtedly in love with) and somehow is just always near him when a case goes on the market for him to solve. AND WATSON HAS A WIFE. I understand that women had a certain role they were expected to play in the home, especially in fiction written of the time and EVEN MORE SO by men. There is a scene where Watson is enjoying breakfast with his wife when a letter arrives. It is from Holmes and in it he asks Watson to spend some time with him, a few weeks mind you, to solve this case. The wife encourages him to go with a smile on her face. I get the whole, husband-knows-best mentality that is often preached during this time period, but some of Holmes' escapades end up violent and Watson would be gone for a number of weeks. Does she not actually like her husband?
I'm happy I gave this book a shot but equally happy to be rid of it.
Reason to read this book: You know someone really pretentious and can imagine them playing the part of Sherlock Holmes. Or you really like Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite character: Adler. I'd date her.
brigittedupe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bsmith320's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75