HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Loading...

A Study in Emerald {short story} (2003)

by Neil Gaiman

Other authors: See the other authors section.

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations / Mentions
2731796,217 (4.3)1 / 39
Alluding to both the Sherlock Holmes canon and the Old Ones of the Cthulhu Mythos, this Hugo Award-winning short story will delight fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H. P. Lovecraft, and of course, Neil Gaiman. A Study in Emerald draws listeners in through carefully revealed details as a consulting detective and his narrator friend solve the mystery of a murdered German noble. But with its subtle allusions and surprise ending, this mystery hints that the real fun in solving this case lies in imagining all the details that Gaiman doesn't reveal, and challenges listeners to be detectives themselves.… (more)
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

» See also 39 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
interesting. Pretty good mimicking of Doyle’s writing style. Nice twist at the end. Nice job seeding in all the worldbuilding for the alternate history. The ads at the beginning of sections were a little confusing and jarring, but fun, and a nice nod to the original publication method of the Holmes stories as serialized in The Strand. ( )
  Julie_in_the_Library | Jul 9, 2023 |
Also known as that time Gaiman wrote fanfiction and got a fucking Hugo for it. (Yay!!! Also, life goals?)

But seriously, this thing is great. In the beginning, you're led to believe that everything is fine and normal... until it really isn't. I'm catching up on my Lovecraft as I write this, but for the Conan Doyle and Victorian London aspects alone this is fantastic. ( )
  a.lu | Jan 4, 2023 |
Summer 2018, audiobook:

Neil Gaimen's masterpiece in honor of Arthur Canon Doyle & HP Lovecraft, based on "A Study in Scarlet."

I had a delightful time watching this play out as a "Sherlock Story" far into the future, with our unnamed duo sluthing the case, of The Great Old Ones. I laughed delightedly at the inworld advertisements showcasing even more literary characters (Vlad Tepes/Dracul, Victor Frankenstein, Spring Heeled Jack, and Dr. Jekyl). A short fast read, I can still see why this masterpiece won so many awards and is constantly on several recommendation lists. ( )
  wanderlustlover | Dec 27, 2022 |
"A Study in Emerald" is a cool short story written by Neil Gaiman, one of today's masters of weird fiction, and can be found for free here. If you have half an hour of your time left to be spent with one of Gaiman's best short stories, then you should right now click on this link instead of reading my thoughts about it disguising themselves as a review.

As the title already implies, the entire story alludes to Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel, [b:A Study in Scarlet|102868|A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, #1)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348362236s/102868.jpg|1997473], but only upon closer observation does it become clear that Gaiman also spends those nine pages with references to the works of [a:H.P. Lovecraft|9494|H.P. Lovecraft|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1299165714p2/9494.jpg]. As I don't know any of his stories, the internet had to assist me with getting to this conclusion, but I do know the original Sherlock Holmes canon quite well by now, and not only was it interesting to see classic characters like Greg Lestrade and Mrs. Watson included in this story, but also to follow the hints leading back to Doyle's original tale. The plot premise was similarly structured, yet turned out to be completely misleading and full of surprises as the ending drew closer, turning "A Study in Emerald" into an independent short story which Neil Gaiman once again used to prove his creativity and his talents as a writer.

The story's originality unfolds not only in the plot itself, but also in the structure of the story. With each chapter being introduced by different advertisements referencing to well-known characters of classic literature like Viktor Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyll, Gaiman produced a mysterious atmosphere, which only added to the story's charm. And I totally fell for it.

"If there's one thing that a study of history has taught us, it is that things can always get worse."

This story includes cool stuff (not without reason did Neil Gaiman include this in the "cool stuff" section of his website) and certainly a few surprises you will not have guessed at the beginning of the first chapter. Tadiana's review includes an interesting step-by-step suggestion for reading this, which I might have followed as well (if I had not read "A Study in Scarlet" already months prior to this one). I can recommend this story for fans of Neil Gaiman and/or Sherlock Holmes, but also generally for readers looking for a fast-paced little distraction. ( )
  Councillor3004 | Sep 1, 2022 |
I had the luxury of seeing this performed as an ephemeral play-- the director was given permission by Mr. Gaiman to do a limited run--no photography, no filming, no proof that it existed. I was unaware of Mr. Gaiman though I had seen the film Coralinne and loved it. Did not realize he was the author. Terrific story with a wild twist. Between these two works and a few impressive quotations attributed to Mr. Gaiman, I am now on a mission to read a LOT of his work. And there seems to be an endless outpouring from this creative man. Looking forward to the treats. This is one. If you like Sherlock Holmes and/or are familiar with Lovecraft, THIS IS A MUST. ( )
  JEatHHP | Aug 23, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
no reviews | add a review

» Add other authors

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Neil Gaimanprimary authorall editionscalculated
Koponen, JouniIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
First words
Fresh from their stupendous European tour, where they performed before several of the CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE, garnering their plaudits and praise with magnificent dramatic performances, combining both COMEDY and TRAGEDY, the Strand Players wish to make it known that they shall be appearing at the Royal Court Theatre, Drury Lane, for a LIMITED ENGAGEMENT in April, at which they will present "My Look-Alike Brother Tom!" "The Littlest Violet-Seller" and "The Great Old Ones Come," (this last an Historical Epic of pageantry and delight); each an entire play in one act!
It is the immensity, I believe. The hugeness of things below. The darkness of dreams.
Quotations
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
This is the short story. Do not combine with the graphic novel.
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

Alluding to both the Sherlock Holmes canon and the Old Ones of the Cthulhu Mythos, this Hugo Award-winning short story will delight fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H. P. Lovecraft, and of course, Neil Gaiman. A Study in Emerald draws listeners in through carefully revealed details as a consulting detective and his narrator friend solve the mystery of a murdered German noble. But with its subtle allusions and surprise ending, this mystery hints that the real fun in solving this case lies in imagining all the details that Gaiman doesn't reveal, and challenges listeners to be detectives themselves.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Alluding to both the Sherlock Holmes canon and the Old Ones of the Cthulhu Mythos, this Hugo Award-winning short story will delight fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H. P. Lovecraft, and of course, Neil Gaiman. A Study in Emerald draws listeners in through carefully revealed details as a consulting detective and his narrator friend solve the mystery of a murdered German noble. But with its subtle allusions and surprise ending, this mystery hints that the real fun in solving this case lies in imagining all the details that Gaiman doesn't reveal, and challenges listeners to be detectives themselves. ©2006 Neil Gaiman; (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (4.3)
0.5
1 2
1.5
2 2
2.5
3 14
3.5 1
4 32
4.5 3
5 56

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 202,646,955 books! | Top bar: Always visible