Gets me every time! ( )

A very familiar story, of course, but exciting and interesting for all that. Very enjoyable to read the prose. ( )

I've long felt bad about never having read any of the nine books that make up the Sherlock Holmes canon, so finally I've rectified that... and what an odd little work it is.

The first half of the book is what's important, historically, but it's the least interesting. Conan Doyle doesn't write natural dialogue, and a result the discussions between Watson and Holmes come across more like a treatise on how detective work - in the real world and in novels - is evolving and progressing. While this is all very very interesting, particularly to someone like myself who has read a lot of Christie and Poe etc, it feels like an essay that has been structured in story form, rather than the other way around.

On top of this, I concede that I have a bias against this "one really smart quirky man always outdoes everyone" formula. Holmes started it, but it's returned in the last ten years or so to television, and personally I think it just weakens the narrative when every other character functions only as a sounding board for our god of a leading man. Sherlock is cunningly described by Watson as a seemingly paradoxical man who in fact has rational reasons for all of his education and activities, although even the great detective can't seem to fix his (bipolar?) moods. As their friendship is still embryonic at this stage, Watson can give us no insight into Holmes' life, and Holmes offers none, so he remains a cipher. But I'm treating this as a pilot episode, so that's okay. More immediately fascinating are the elements of contemporary life: street beggars working for Holmes, the necessary advantages and disadvantages that came from being a police officer in the era - thrilling stuff.

The second half is a mixed bag also. Conan Doyle is an admirable prose writer, and his description of the events twenty years prior to the murders is captivating and gripping. On the other hand, it is filled with amazingly anti-Mormon sentiment. I'm no religious sympathiser myself, but I couldn't take it seriously when the narrator assured us that all Mormons kill or destroy anyone who attempts to leave their faith.

An odd little novel, and I've already started the second one, since I'm very eager to see if Conan Doyle can somehow retain his marvelous leading character, whilst furthering his skills in the other required areas.

(Two and a half stars) ( )

In part one, I was engrossed by the initial meeting of Holmes and Watson, followed by the mystery that ensued. Part two of the story, explained the prior circumstances leading up to the mystery and crime. It seemed like it belonged in a different book and I really didn't like it that much, with the exception of the very last chapter. I'll still continue to try reading different stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, although I might just listen to the BBC dramatized adaptations. They are well done and entertaining. ( )

Like a lot of people nowadays, I imagine, I started this book because of the brilliant BBC adaptation starring Brolerdang Commernitch. I must say, while I enjoyed the story and all the inside jokes of the tv show which opened up for me, it was still a bit underwhelming. I don't want to say the tv show is better, but it kind of is. The plot felt just a bit easier and more predictable (which has nothing to do with already knowing what will happen). ( )