A Study in Scarlet: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
"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.
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Community Reviews
“It's quite exciting," said Sherlock Holmes, with a yawn.”
I personally love this book for two main reasons:
1. It's the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series! Origin stories (well, how the doctor and detective met) is something I'll always throw hearts at.
2. Sir Doyle's/ Dr Watson's format of part one being the reminiscences of Dr Watson and part two partially being a third person narration was unique in my eyes.
I personally love this book for two main reasons:
1. It's the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series! Origin stories (well, how the doctor and detective met) is something I'll always throw hearts at.
2. Sir Doyle's/ Dr Watson's format of part one being the reminiscences of Dr Watson and part two partially being a third person narration was unique in my eyes.
The first third or so of this story is really good - the back and forth with the detectives is pretty funny and the mystery is solid.
Then we get these huge digressions - the detectives telling stories of their of sleuthing which go on forever even though we know they will only be shown up.
Then the multiple chapters set in America. While I personally don't mind authors taking a swipe at patriarchic, misogynistic, irrational cults and religions, I suppose it does somewhat annoy me that Doyle 1. was repeating some pretty ridiculous extreme slanders on Mormonism (mainly that they kill people within the cult for disobedience as opposed to fighting exterior groups like for example the IDF - there's no need to exaggerate the small minded chauvinistic immoral violence of any religions that actually bother to have a paramilitary force. the logic of that structure by itself ensures they have plenty to spare in reality.) and 2. felt the need to completely depart from the primary diegetic setting.
The main point is that Sherlock stories are at their best when Sherlock is on the page. Deviating from that sometimes can help enhance the pleasures of his return, but only so much.
Then we get these huge digressions - the detectives telling stories of their of sleuthing which go on forever even though we know they will only be shown up.
Then the multiple chapters set in America. While I personally don't mind authors taking a swipe at patriarchic, misogynistic, irrational cults and religions, I suppose it does somewhat annoy me that Doyle 1. was repeating some pretty ridiculous extreme slanders on Mormonism (mainly that they kill people within the cult for disobedience as opposed to fighting exterior groups like for example the IDF - there's no need to exaggerate the small minded chauvinistic immoral violence of any religions that actually bother to have a paramilitary force. the logic of that structure by itself ensures they have plenty to spare in reality.) and 2. felt the need to completely depart from the primary diegetic setting.
The main point is that Sherlock stories are at their best when Sherlock is on the page. Deviating from that sometimes can help enhance the pleasures of his return, but only so much.
I read this all in one day and will certainly be making my way through the entire series. I particularly enjoyed the juxtaposition between the two parts, which are of completely different worlds. By the end, they are masterfully combined, and the ending is short and sweet. A short book that can pack the same punch as a longer one is something I always prefer. Would read again!
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