After reading A Study In Scarlet, I can see why so many people have fallen for Sherlock Holmes over the years. He's an ass, but clever. He is charming to Watson, but the Scotland Yard Detectives dislike him, yet are constantly needing him. They want to be better than him, because he's the best. Even thought they use his skills, they take credit for his work. No wonder he gets so jaded! Holmes is funny, serious, intelligent and irreverent. He's an amazing character.
In this first case, Arthur Conan Doyle keeps the plot seemingly simple. We get to know Watson, as the story is told initially from his perspective. We discover Holmes as Watson does. I can imagine that when Doyle first wrote this story, people would wonder who this man was, with his strange behaviour. Now, we learn about Sherlock Holmes as we grow up and his being an investigator is not a surprise. I read A Study In Scarlet waiting for Holmes' attitude. At the beginning of the story, Watson and Holmes have not yet met. After they do, Watson is fascinated by Holmes' studies, peculiarities and personality. They are just discovering each other. They are not the partners we are used to seeing.
Another unexpected part of the tale was the back story of the crime. Though Holmes uses his deductive reasoning and skills to discover the killer, Doyle delves into the motive. He gives us the tale of a family, who was from the state of Utah in America, and all the events that led to the murder in England. It is sad, emotional, and creates sympathy in the reader. I wonder how many, or if all of Sherlock Holmes' tales will have this element. It is a short novel (novella), so I can't really say too much more. Though we know Sherlock Holmes, A Study In Scarlet was not a tale I was familiar with and it was interesting discovering Holmes and the secrets of the mystery.
A Study In Scarlet was also my Spin book. I'm always happy to participate in the Classics Club's Spins. They remind me to read those classics that have been sitting on my shelf for too long. I wonder what other classics were read for today.
After all the fun of A Study In Scarlet, and getting a taste of Doyle's writing, I am looking forward to reading more Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes as a character just *rocks*. To me he's an icon - even with his faults - and was a hero of my teen years. I envy you discovering the rest of his stories for the first time!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I've never read him bet, but I'm excited to dive into all his stories.
DeleteI can definitely recommend 'Hound of the Baskervilles'. It's much more meatier than his short stories.
DeleteI'll definitely get to that eventually.
DeleteI've only ever read one Holmes story and was underwhelmed. But I was told the one I read was one of the weaker ones (I can't even remember the name of it now), so I want to try again. After your praise, I think I start with this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's the first and I figured I should start at the beginning. I hope you have better luck with it than the other one you read.
DeleteHolmes is always fun. Love that magazine cover you found!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I thought it was fun!
DeleteI have all the Sherlock Holmes books on my TBR pile and had planned to read them in order - your review has confirmed that that is indeed a good thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you should read them in order. I'm excited to read Sign of Four next!
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