Sherlock Holmes.

The Sun King

Hi all,

I recently picked up the complete stories of Sherlock Holmes. What I'm wondering is if the books live up to the character as we know him now?

Sherlock Holmes seems to have taken on a whole range of guises and personalities. Does the original work hold up?

I'm looking forward to getting started, and I just wondered what everyone thought.

Earthhorse

I love the original Sherlock Holmes stories and think they stand up remarkably well to the modern reader. Far better than Agatha Christie's work for instance. Doyle was ahead of his times and it shows.

I can't really compare to the modern BBC version as I haven't watched it. I think House is a great re-interpretation of the character which succeeds by taking the essence of the character but not being afraid to do its own thing. The Guy Rithchie films are tat.

I think you'll enjoy reading the originals either way especially the short fiction who you get to it and latterly The Hound of the Baskervilles. I don't recommend anything after Reichenbach. Finally, I think you should read the work in order; it's not essential to but I think it enriches the experience.

The Sun King

Earthhorse wrote: »

I love the original Sherlock Holmes stories and think they stand up remarkably well to the modern reader. Far better than Agatha Christie's work for instance. Doyle was ahead of his times and it shows.

I can't really compare to the modern BBC version as I haven't watched it. I think House is a great re-interpretation of the character which succeeds by taking the essence of the character but not being afraid to do its own thing. The Guy Rithchie films are tat.

I think you'll enjoy reading the originals either way especially the short fiction who you get to it and latterly The Hound of the Baskervilles. I don't recommend anything after Reichenbach. Finally, I think you should read the work in order; it's not essential to but I think it enriches the experience.

Thanks for the reply. I'm ashamed to say that I could never find the proper chronology. Interest and necessity led me to buying the full collection

eternal

They were popular Victoriana fiction. Very easy to read and really enjoyable too. They tempt you to keep reading, suspensful text urges readers on.

Earthhorse

The Sun King wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I'm ashamed to say that I could never find the proper chronology. Interest and necessity led me to buying the full collection

It's a bit more complex than it needs to be alright. Best reading them in order of publication I think, as per the top answer here:

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091003132759AALqEGs

The Sun King

This is great, guys. Hopefully it restarts my reading habit. I've gone through a dry spell lately

eternal

The Sun King wrote: »

This is great, guys. Hopefully it restarts my reading habit. I've gone through a dry spell lately

Good books to get back into it. Very easy to fly through them!

Zillah

I was a little surprised by the character in the books. He's far more neurotic and immature than modern interpretations tend to show. They're very easy to read though, as said. Very rare instances of word use that makes little sense to a modern reader.

He uses "singular" a lot, essentially to mean "unique/fascinating", which you don't hear much in modern language. My favourite, by far however, is that he now and then uses a certain verb to mean "spoke suddenly".

Typical example: "You can't be serious!" Watson ejaculated.

Won't find that in modern English...

Orizio

Earthhorse wrote: »

I think you'll enjoy reading the originals either way especially the short fiction who you get to it and latterly The Hound of the Baskervilles. I don't recommend anything after Reichenbach. Finally, I think you should read the work in order; it's not essential to but I think it enriches the experience.

Please don't listen to this - the "Return of Sherlock Holmes" series is well worth reading.

Mars Bar

I came to reading Sherlock Holmes after watching Elementary and I can hear Johnny Lee Miller's voice when I'm reading. I love that!

The books are really great and easy to get through. You'll enjoy them!

GLaDOS

Any particular book you'd recommend to start off with or does it really matter?

Earthhorse

I really do think it's worth following the chronology I posted above but the short stories tend to be the best and The Adventures are where it really kicks off. Still worth reading the other two books before it though ultimately.

Dirty Dingus McGee

The Hound of the Baskervilles is brilliant, one of my all time favourite books.Really atmospheric book.

Jinonatron

I picked up "The adventures of Sherlock Holmes" in Taiwan last week. It was one of the only books they had in English and it was only about 2€. Read it on the flight back. Incredibly well written, atmospheric and a page turner. I love a good short story. Can't believe I've not read this before.

Just found out nearly everything is available on the iTunes store for free. Except for that last one. Happy times.