Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet", #83

[katikat]

"A Study in Scarlet" is the first published story of one of the most famous literary detectives of all time, Sherlock Holmes. Here Dr. Watson, who has just returned from a war in Afghanistan, meets Sherlock Holmes for the first time when they become flat-mates at the famous 221 B Baker Street. In "A Study in Scarlet" Sherlock Holmes investigates a murder at Lauriston Gardens as Dr. Watson tags along with Holmes while narratively detailing his amazing deductive abilities.

Review: First "Holmes" story that I've ever read. I liked it a lot, but I have to admit that the flashback to what happened in Utah - as interesting as it was - disrupted my reading pleasure a lot. It felt as if I was suddenly reading a completely different book and it took me a bit to realize that it was a flashback, there to explain the how-s and why-s behind the murder. And some parts of the mystery - like the word "Rache" on the wall or some of the conclusions Holmes drew - were a bit over the top. Also, my gosh, is Holmes a swollen-headed guy!

One thing that surprised me was how young both Watson and Holmes were in the book. Several times they were addressed as "young men" - most of the series/movies out there present the two of them as older or old guys. Curious.

Comments

[twilight-angel.livejournal.com]

Parts of A Study in Scarlet, I love, mostly things like when Holmes met Watson and they become BFFs. Then, there's the random Mormon romance revenge melodrama, which is utterly ridiculous. I actually prefer how the new show dealt with the story in "A Study in Pink," especially the cabby's reasons for doing it and the "rache" being short for her password "Rachel."

One of the main things you have to remember is that Holmes is an utter, utter arrogant dick, and we love him for it.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Yes, I liked A Study in Pink much better. A Study in Scarlet felt really... heavy-handed in some places, especially the Mormon love story felt totally out of place. I think it would've been enough, if the culprit just told them what happened in his own words, the flashback was unnecessary. But I guess Doyle was paid for the amount of words he had written?

[twilight-angel.livejournal.com]

It was extremely heavy-handed. And I just don't think Doyle is that great of a writer. I'm not sure if he was paid by the word, since mostly people refer that fact to Dickens, but it wouldn't surprise me if he was. His short stories are better than his novels because his novels really only had enough plot for a short story, maybe a longish short story.