Sherlock Holmes discussion

Just finished this. I forgot how much racism was reflected in the attitudes of the British soldiers stationed in India.

I LOVE the romantic young Dr. Watson. So, so adorable!!

Oh yes. ^_^ His whole thing with Mary was just too adorable and sweet. :3

xD I was so surprised when he announced he was marrying her -- it was like, "Wait. Watson get's married?" :) But yes, I loved this book almost as much as the first :D

This is definitely one of my favorites. ^_^

Mark Gatiss and Steven Mofatt have mined the travails of Watson's love life so brilliantly, but I thought that was all their creation. I did not realize that Conan Doyle portrayed Watson in the role of romantic suitor in the stories. I knew he was bachelor and flat-mate in some stories, married in others, and evetually widowed, but I missed the courtship until now. It adds an extra facet to his personality to see him as the young, hopeful, romantic.

Also interesting that while Holmes is resigned to his BFF's engagement, he really can't bring himself to congratulate him, since love is such an emotional thing, bound to get in the way of reason. Even while heaping (for Holmes) praise on Mary as a most charming young woman of decided genius, who might have been useful in their work. It made me laugh out loud. So perfectly Sherlockian a response, and the grandfather of all those to follow right up to present day.

“Well, and there is the end of our little drama,” I remarked after we had sat some time smoking in silence. “I fear that it may be the last investigation in which I shall have the chance of studying your methods. Miss Morstan has done me the honour to accept me as a husband in prospective.”
He gave a most dismal groan.
“I feared as much,” said he. “I really cannot congratulate you.”
I was a little hurt.
“Have you any reason to be dissatisfied with my choice?” I asked.
“Not at all. I think she is one of the most charming young ladies I ever met and might have been most useful in such work as we have been doing. She had a decided genius that way witness the way in which she preserved that Agra plan from ali the other papers of her father. But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things. I should never marry myself, lest I bias my judgment.”

:D

Johanna-- Exactly the section I was thinking of! I think it's interesting that the next story is Scandal in Bohemia with "the woman," believed by many to be as close as the stories come to a feminine "match" for Mr. Holmes.

:)

I agree, Watson was so sweet feeling relieved that Mary was not rich. It was a great character moment.

I also really enjoyed the part where they were sailing down the river with those darts being thrown at them. A suspenseful moment there! Very exciting :D

Mary wrote: "I agree, Watson was so sweet feeling relieved that Mary was not rich. It was a great character moment.

I also really enjoyed the part where they were sailing down the river with those darts being ..."

Loved that part, too!

Johanna ღ♣✽Hobbit and Proud✽♣ღ wrote: "“Well, and there is the end of our little drama,” I remarked after we had sat some time smoking in silence. “I fear that it may be the last investigation in which I shall have the chance of studyin..."

Oh, that whole quote is so Holmes-y. :)))

Aren't they all? ^^

Yes, of course. XD Just that one especially. It shows a lot about him, with his complex mind that I love to figure out.

Wonderful story by Sir Doyle, one of the best I think. And it's definitely wonderful to see such character development with Watson.

Bringing up The Sign of Four because it is IMHO the best of the four Sherlock Holmes novels. In two of them - A Study in Scarlet and The Valley of Fear - half of the book is the mystery and investigation and the other half is a long flashback that doesn't involve Holmes. And in The Hound - as much as I like the story and the writing, Holmes isn't around for much of it, it's mostly Watson's letters that describe the Stapletons, the neighbors, the Barrymores and the convict. The Sign of Four is the only novel where Holmes is at the center of the story all the way through.