Where to Start?

On this day, in 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was published. The stories it contained had previously been published in magazines, but this marked the debut of the character in book form.

Every year on this day, I am reminded of the fact that I have always meant to read some of the stories and books about this character. Where would members recommend I begin? Should it be with this collection of stories, the first book published? Or would it be better to start with one of the novels? Recommendations welcome!

>1 AbigailAdams26:

Where would members recommend I begin?

Begin at the beginning, with A Study in Scarlet.

>2 lilithcat: Thank you! For some reason I had it in my head that The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was the first book, but I see now it's the first story collection in book form, but actually came after the first two novels. I will do as you suggest, and start at the beginning!

I think I'll put this on my schedule for my annual Christmas—New Years break. Any thoughts on edition? Are there really nice ones? There must be...

Heart for whoever spent ages combining and separating the series page! It looks wonderful.

>1 AbigailAdams26: The complete Sherlock Holmes isn't a bad edition you can get it formatted with the original magazine typescript which may or may not be something you'd enjoy. It's not as weighty a tome as you might expect.

>4 reading_fox: Thank you! I'll look into that.

There are SO many good editions! My favorites to read from my collection are the Oxford Sherlock Holmes — 9 individual volumes with very good introductions. And the black leather 3-volume edition from Easton Press.