kiwi_of_serenity's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a lot slower than a Study in Scarlet, but fairly essential to the Holmesian canon, as it advances Watson's character and relationships. It's the gateway to the rest of this amazing, amazing series.
kati33's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ayereads's review against another edition
1.5
I am almost compelled to add a 'aged like sour milk' shelf for this book alone.
I don't know if Doyle ever visited India but I can imagine this book in the 1890s, almost fairy tale like talking about 'devil worshiping', 'good for nothing' wild natives with names like Mahomet Singh. I can see readers nodding their heads and saying 'yes, this is why they need us, poor things.'
This book made me MAD. Apart from the blatant disrespect to the culture and people of India, and the casual misogyny, the mystery is so lazily done. It goes- oh, this happens and that happens and don't forget- we may have been forcefully colonizing their country but Indians are the true villains.
I am all for seeing books through the lens of the time they were written, but some stories are just trying too hard to be racist by adding unnecessary (to the plot) things, as in this one. So, nope.
Overall, highly disappointed and just absolutely angry because of this book.
Also Watson (kind of) pulls a Hastings and ends up getting the girl.
I don't know if Doyle ever visited India but I can imagine this book in the 1890s, almost fairy tale like talking about 'devil worshiping', 'good for nothing' wild natives with names like Mahomet Singh. I can see readers nodding their heads and saying 'yes, this is why they need us, poor things.'
This book made me MAD. Apart from the blatant disrespect to the culture and people of India, and the casual misogyny, the mystery is so lazily done. It goes- oh, this happens and that happens and don't forget- we may have been forcefully colonizing their country but Indians are the true villains.
I am all for seeing books through the lens of the time they were written, but some stories are just trying too hard to be racist by adding unnecessary (to the plot) things, as in this one. So, nope.
Overall, highly disappointed and just absolutely angry because of this book.
Also Watson (kind of) pulls a Hastings and ends up getting the girl.
oranges448's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
spoko's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lightsaber's review against another edition
Listened to the LibriVox audiobook on Spotify
kretosnejk's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
retroarmadillo'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
2.0