I'm going to admit from the start that I'm not exactly a Sherlock Holmes fan--the closest I come to it is a deep and abiding love for Disney's The GreI'm going to admit from the start that I'm not exactly a Sherlock Holmes fan--the closest I come to it is a deep and abiding love for Disney's The Great Mouse Detective (if you don't at least like that movie, may I just point out that Vincent Price? Yes, I thought that might change your mind). I've never read any of the original stories except The Hound of the Baskervilles (a very, very long time ago), I haven't watched the various adaptations (unless you count a glorious Wishbone episode), nor read any other derivative works on the subject, so I'm not entirely sure what Sherlock Holmes (the stories or the character) is 'supposed' to be. I have absorbed a bit through cultural osmosis--cocaine use, violin playing, little to no tact or sensitivity, excellent deductive reasoning that borders on psychic powers. That said, I don't consider myself a good judge of measuring this against the original Sherlock Holmes stories. I leave that to the experts.
Therefore, I must judge this collection of tales on its own merits, as a more 'mainstream' audience member. I found it delightful! The mysteries were all intriguing, keeping me hooked as I pressed on, eager to unravel each one. There's humor, in Holmes's dry manner and unexpected naivety, and 'Watson's' good-natured attempts to keep him safe and on a fairly even keel (and his real name is a hoot), and sometimes in the resolutions (although these are just as often dark). There is also a good chunk of drama, but you're not bashed over the head with it--Holmes's past is more hinted at than verbalized, and while the other characters' are generally explored more, it's still done with enough delicacy that I didn't feel preached at, nor did I feel crushed by the weight of their troubles. Life sucks sometimes, and that's that. It's very matter-of-fact, and it works. At the same time, the characters don't turn this into a defeatist attitude--they still do everything they can to help, because just because life sucks sometimes doesn't mean you shouldn't try to make it better and keep fighting the good fight. Better yet, it's all very real--these are real problems that real people can and do face, just not with that Holmes flair.
I found the plots interesting, I found the characters interesting, and the writing found exactly the perfect notes at the appropriate moments. There were a few typos (a misplaced letter here and there, a 'lead' instead of 'led' now and then), but they're negligible and easily overlooked. It doesn't detract from the enjoyment. I'd highly recommend this to just about anyone over the age of fourteen or so, as it's a romp with some weight. I don't know why more people haven't read it, but they should.
Merged review:
I'm going to admit from the start that I'm not exactly a Sherlock Holmes fan--the closest I come to it is a deep and abiding love for Disney's The Great Mouse Detective (if you don't at least like that movie, may I just point out that Vincent Price? Yes, I thought that might change your mind). I've never read any of the original stories except The Hound of the Baskervilles (a very, very long time ago), I haven't watched the various adaptations (unless you count a glorious Wishbone episode), nor read any other derivative works on the subject, so I'm not entirely sure what Sherlock Holmes (the stories or the character) is 'supposed' to be. I have absorbed a bit through cultural osmosis--cocaine use, violin playing, little to no tact or sensitivity, excellent deductive reasoning that borders on psychic powers. That said, I don't consider myself a good judge of measuring this against the original Sherlock Holmes stories. I leave that to the experts.
Therefore, I must judge this collection of tales on its own merits, as a more 'mainstream' audience member. I found it delightful! The mysteries were all intriguing, keeping me hooked as I pressed on, eager to unravel each one. There's humor, in Holmes's dry manner and unexpected naivety, and 'Watson's' good-natured attempts to keep him safe and on a fairly even keel (and his real name is a hoot), and sometimes in the resolutions (although these are just as often dark). There is also a good chunk of drama, but you're not bashed over the head with it--Holmes's past is more hinted at than verbalized, and while the other characters' are generally explored more, it's still done with enough delicacy that I didn't feel preached at, nor did I feel crushed by the weight of their troubles. Life sucks sometimes, and that's that. It's very matter-of-fact, and it works. At the same time, the characters don't turn this into a defeatist attitude--they still do everything they can to help, because just because life sucks sometimes doesn't mean you shouldn't try to make it better and keep fighting the good fight. Better yet, it's all very real--these are real problems that real people can and do face, just not with that Holmes flair.
I found the plots interesting, I found the characters interesting, and the writing found exactly the perfect notes at the appropriate moments. There were a few typos (a misplaced letter here and there, a 'lead' instead of 'led' now and then), but they're negligible and easily overlooked. It doesn't detract from the enjoyment. I'd highly recommend this to just about anyone over the age of fourteen or so, as it's a romp with some weight. I don't know why more people haven't read it, but they should....more
Lol, so great! I think every author should read this! It's so cute and funny, and extremely relatable to anyone who knows the struggle of being a writLol, so great! I think every author should read this! It's so cute and funny, and extremely relatable to anyone who knows the struggle of being a writer! On top of that it's a super fast read, so taking five minutes to read it and put a smile on your face is well worth it....more
**spoiler alert** This book is proof that the book isn't always better. I enjoyed the movie so much more - the plot improvements, the character arcs, **spoiler alert** This book is proof that the book isn't always better. I enjoyed the movie so much more - the plot improvements, the character arcs, the development of an actual ending - all of that made the movie a much more enjoyable experience than this book.
Also, this is only my opinion, and obviously not a popular opinion, but this book is lauded as a satire - if that's the case, then I can only say that I don't feel this author has the skill to successfully pull off a satire. To me, it only came off as a worship of excess....more
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