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A review by moonafall
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Did not finish book.
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.