Classics Without All the Class discussion

I've never read any Sherlock Holmes, or seen any BBC shows on his adventures. Well, I guess I've never really been interested in mystery novels. However, recently I've gotten into a few. So, I think I'll start with the first story and see how it goes! ;)

I am going to dig out my son's copy of the collected stories and start this one today too!

Got it reading it.

I just started on this too. Never read any Holmes before, but liking it.

I read this one earlier this year. It introduces the relationship between Holmes and Watson.

Nell wrote: "I read this one earlier this year. It introduces the relationship between Holmes and Watson."

It's one of my favorite stories for that very reason!

I'm about half-way through this. Somebody let me know when you reach the flasback part. I won't say anything else to avoid spoliers, but I'd like to discuss this part.

I had never read this Holmes story and was always told it was a classic. Now that I've reached the end, I was surprised by how the story unfolded. I'd love to talk about the flashback part (Rosella) when you get through!

I am really loving this story so far! I love how Holmes and Watson meet and immediately "fall for each other," and I only mean that in a best friend kind of way. I also didn't realized that these stories are all told from Watson's perspective. I guess that makes sense because if we were hearing it from Holmes, we wouldn't be surprised at the discoveries later on. It works better to have his genius revealed to us through his amazing, yet egotistical, remarks to Watson. And, I love that Watson is willing to accept the bad with the good, when it comes to being with Sherlock.

I just finished this and quite enjoyed the read! Unfortunately the first episode of the BBC series Sherlock gave away much of the plot. Who knew???! It was fun to compare to the original to the modernized version, though I'll need to finish the rest of the books before watching more of the show. :)

What I found most striking was how we got the "raw" Holmes, a little different from the later one. The idea that he might be a narcotic user is swept aside as he is such a clean liver, and his knowledge is specific, while later stories tend to depict him knowing everything (or at least a great deal) about everything. Here he is quite ignorant of things like politics, and it's on purpose.

I actually found the plot rather silly, and Holmes eminently dislikeable - as I put in my review, I think I appreciate the legacy and the modern (Basil Rathbone and forward to today) pastiches much more than I do the original in the raw.

E :) wrote: "Unfortunately the first episode of the BBC series Sherlock gave away much of the plot. Who knew???!"
I appreciated how close "A Study in Pink" stuck to "A study in Scarlet." I suppose it did give away some of the plot, but I didn't think it detracted from my enjoyment. Honestly, I'm so used to Holmes dazzling me at the end, that I felt a little smarter the moment I realized that it was going to be (view spoiler)[ the cab driver in the book as well as in the show (view spoiler)[ .
I particularly liked how closely the producers modeled the first meeting of their Holmes and Watson with the first meeting of the originals. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Krazykiwi wrote: " I think I appreciate the legacy and the modern (Basil Rathbone and forward to today) pastiches much more than I do the original in the raw"

I've always preferred Doyle's Holmes to later adaptations and I'm thrilled with the how both the most recent movies and the Sherlock series have returned to a closer interpretation of the characters. But then, I suppose it's all in what you're used to. I first read some of the short stories in late grade school. When I later listened to the old radio show on my parents' cassettes, I was less impressed with the radio character than I had been with the original story.

I, too, had never read any SH, which I find strange because I enjoy reading mysteries. Liked how the ending provided the chronological order of the reasoning Holmes used to solve the case. Also liked that there was a back-story to explain the reasons for the murders, and that it wasn't just some random serial killer. The back-story itself seemed off-the-wall, which is what I liked about it. I look forward to reading more of Doyle's SH stories.

This is the first SH I've ever read, and I'd say overall that I liked it. Well, to be more clear, I liked the Holmes/Watson part. The middle where Doyle goes into the backstory of the murderer seemed to drag to me. Maybe I didn't catch on as quickly as I should have, but it took me a while to put all the pieces together and I really was left wondering if there wasn't a better way to tell it. Overall I went with 3 stars, I didn't dislike it enough not to read more, but I wasn't overly thrilled with it either. :) Next I'll try Sign of the Four since we still have plenty of month left.

I just finished it. This was only my 2nd Holmes; I had read The Hound of the Baskervilles in high school.

I loved the main story. Loved the description of Watson and Holmes's meeting, and Watson's observations of Sherlock. The backstory was very weird to me. It didn't fit my expectations, but I'm not sure why I had any. I guess I wasn't expecting part of the action to take place in the US.

I'm going to continue with the Sign of the Four and then a short story or two, and then will decide if I want to go on, or call it quits with Sherlock, or dip in every now and then.

I've read quite a few SH stories and the flashback was like nothing I've encountered in any other SH stories. I actually checked the book to make sure I hadn't picked up the wrong book.

Well looks like I'm in good company. :) I also enjoyed the introduction to Holmes and Watson, but didn't really like the flashback. (view spoiler)[ I thought the desert conversation between Ferrier and Lucy was terribly unnatural. It reminded me of soap opera characters staring off into space while explaining to the flower arrangements everything that has happened in the previous weeks. I also didn't feel as sympathetic to the murderer as I think Doyle intended the reader to feel. I just keep thinking if he really loved Lucy he would have tried to get her away from her horrible marriage instead of waiting for her to die and take revenge. Fat lot of good it did her then. (hide spoiler)]

I enjoyed the flashback. Oddly it so reminded me of a book I recently read about meteorites creating chupacabrahs and a killer man-bunny. The book was it came from Del Rio. I think it was mainly due to the fact that the flashback in Scarlet starts with a man smuggling a girl through the dessert; the first half of It Came from Del Rio is all about smugglers working the dessert on the Mexico/US border. I suppose that, tied with the fact that they are both mysteries, has me discussing this bizarre tangent to this Holmes story. I find the effect of a mystery interrupted midway by a related story through a narrative that makes it feel like I'm reading another book a really effective device - well at least for me it does. It adds to the sense of mystery for me. It looks like I may be alone in the opinion.

Tome wrote: "I enjoyed the flashback. Oddly it so reminded me of a book I recently read about meteorites creating chupacabrahs and a killer man-bunny. The book was it came from Del Rio. I think it was mainly ..."

One of the things I love about the discussions in this group are the vastly differing opinions. :)

Danaë wrote: "Tome wrote: "I enjoyed the flashback. Oddly it so reminded me of a book I recently read about meteorites creating chupacabrahs and a killer man-bunny. The book was it came from Del Rio. I think i..."

Me too! Exactly why we created the group! I love that we can have differing opinions, but still be respectful and have a good time. :)

Margaret wrote: "I just finished it. This was only my 2nd Holmes; I had read The Hound of the Baskervilles in high school.

I loved the main story. Loved the description of Watson and Holmes's meeting, and Wats..."

I'm happy you mentioned the flashback taking place in the US being something that threw you off a little. I think you've helped me put a finger on why the flashback felt so strange to me. Being the first SH story written, I expected it to be traditional and take place all in the United Kingdom. All the other stories I've read have taken place there. Now that I think about the *location* of the story line, and not the content itself, I can see the story in a different way and appreciate the technique more than before. Thank you!

It's fun to read it! It's my first holmes book, i'm scared at first that it's going to be hard read for me. But it's quite light, and i love the holmes-watson relationship

This was my first Holmes book too, and I also found it to be quite entertaining. :) I followed this up with The Sign of Four (on audiobook, also a first for me!) and now I'm slowly making my way through The Adventures. The Holmes series has been a very fun group read for this month. I love the open-endedness!

Tome wrote: "I enjoyed the flashback. Oddly it so reminded me of a book I recently read about meteorites creating chupacabrahs and a killer man-bunny. The book was it came from Del Rio. I think it was mainly ..."

I also really enjoyed the flashback. It was a nice respite from the back and forth banter between Holmes and Watson and showed a different style of writing from Doyle.

Holmes takes out his magnifying glass and looks for clues.
This is the image of a detective I always remember.

So this is where it all began!

Really liked the story but when part 2 came I was lost. What does all this have to do with Sherlock Holmes? Then finally it all came together and I was quite impressed how I could be stumped so easily. I like the easy to read language which can be a problem with authors in this time period, but its written just in a normal modern day type speech.

Am I the only one who has Gerry Rafferty in my head any time Sherlock Holmes is mentioned especially when Baker Street is mentioned. Or perhaps you prefer the Foo Fighters cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DmIk0... or Gerry Rafferty http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgQWjQ...

I really enjoyed this first Holmes. I thought tHe countdown of days in part two was an effective suspense devise.

Francie wrote: "I really enjoyed this first Holmes. I thought tHe countdown of days in part two was an effective suspense devise."

Despite my feeling of disorientation at the sudden shift in setting and narrative style, I did like the device of the countdown. Never knowing where the numbers would appear heightened my overall sense of suspense.

i have always love Sherlock Holmes but it was not until freshmen year when i first found A Study in Scarlet, i was immediately hooked xD. i was very intrigued on how Sherlock and Watson become friends after there first meeting and from there Watson astonishment towards Sherlock's way of deduction. I also like how Detective Lestrade would view the crime scenes only to be corrected or be hinted by Holmes help. when i was done reading i could not help but smile ^^.

** POSSIBLE SPOILERS**

I adored this book. I just want to start with that statement. Because I did. I ADORED IT.

This was my first foray into the written world of "Sherlock Holmes". And although I had never read any of Doyle's version of Holmes, I was already very enamored with the character from the different screen versions I have seen over the years. I loved each version of Sherlock for one reason or another; and so finally meeting the REAL Sherlock was like greeting an old friend.

Reading along as the relationship between Holmes and Watson grew warmed my heart. I loved how outwardly awed Watson was by Sherlock, and how pleased he was by Watson's praise.

I was surprised to read how many people did not enjoy the back-story of Jefferson Hope. To me, it was perfect. In the BBC version "Sherlock", I felt as though the murderer was incredibly selfish. Yes, he was dying. Yes, the stuff about his kids sucked. But that doesn't change the fact that they made him out to be a prick. A highly intelligent, methodical prick; but a prick nonetheless. Doyle made him MATTER. What he did, why he did it, how he ended up-- it all mattered to me. And I could (in a small way) rally behind him. That is no small feat for an author.

I think it's obvious that I could go on and on, but I won't. I'll end with this: I am more in love with the idea of Sherlock Holmes now than I have ever been. And I cannot wait to read more

I really enjoyed this story, which was the first Sherlock Holmes book I've read - although I am a big fan of the BBC series!

I found it very easy to read and understand in terms of style - sometimes I struggle to get into books written around the same era because of the language used, maybe it's because this is a short story so there's not so much scope for waffle or unnecessary detail!

Like a couple of other people, I was a little confused by the back story. I really enjoyed it, but it just threw me that a completely different story seemed to begin in the middle of the book. I was reading it on my Kindle, and I must admit that I had to go forwards a bit to check that there wasn't some error with my copy! Like Ashley says above, this back story really made me sympathise with Hope, and see him as a real person with reasons for his crime, rather than a cold-blooded murderer.

Although maybe not what I expected, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read some more.

Hi everyone, I absolutely loved this book! I really enjoyed the flashback story and like Abi, I was reading it on my Kindle and I did the same thing (looking forward a bit to check there wasn't an error!) It was a completely different story and I think that's why I enjoyed the book so much. It was great to get two such different narratives and then have them knitted together at the end.

I recently started reading through The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes (thank you Kindle for having it available for free!) and I have to agree with those who were a bit jarred by the flashback sequence. It was really good though, and so far I'm almost at the end of The Return of Sherlock Holmes and I've loved them all.

Yes, God bless the Kindle! (lol)

I think study in scarlet has to be my favorite. There are 4 longer, story-esque Sherlock Holmes pieces that let you enjoy the masterful writing and suspense a little more, but this is the best of those. I'm a die hard Sherlock Holmes fan anyway.

I really enjoyed this story! I, too, was a little thrown off by the flashback at first, but I thought it was amazing how much contrast there was between the two stories: different time period, contrasting cultural elements, and settings set an ocean--and then some--apart. I thought that Sherlock Holmes was going to be a lot harder to tackle (I had trouble with some of the stories I was assigned in a college course. I could never get through them!), but I am enjoying reading through them all.

I started going through all of the Holmes stories in another group and am doing them in order, so this was my first Holmes as well. I enjoyed it, though Sign of the Four is markedly better. I love all the deductions, it's fabulous!

Oh good, I can't wait to read Sign of the Four!

I enjoyed reading a study in scarlet but do have a question about the ending. Why was Jefferson Hope not concerned about going to 221 Baker Street, where he was ultimately arrested? He knew of the address already, when he sent his friend to pick up the ring...