Reading the Detectives discussion

Everyman wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Recently finished the complete works of Sherlock Holmes; a bit sad it is all over, but already looking forward to a re-read. ."

They are just as delightful on re-reading. I've prob..."

I have already planned the re-read; I can't help but find these works entertaining, but also intricately done. It makes for a most satisfying read. Waiting for the doctor or dentist is so tedious, I will definitely be taking a volume of stories with me next time I go. Although I probably will be tempted to ignore my appointment and keep reading.

Rebecca wrote: "Waiting for the doctor or dentist is so tedious, I will definitely be taking a volume of stories with me next time I go. Although I probably will be tempted to ignore my appointment and keep reading. .."

I've always wondered whether I could get away with listening to Sherlock while in the dentist's chair for my semi-annual cleaning. I have them on my MP3 player, so could easily slip in earbuds and listen away while my hygienist works away. So far I haven't dared, but I'm tempted!!

Everyman wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Waiting for the doctor or dentist is so tedious, I will definitely be taking a volume of stories with me next time I go. Although I probably will be tempted to ignore my appointment..."

Ha! Now that's an idea! I never thought to do that. That would certainly be more pleasurable than attempting to watch whatever melodrama they have on the television. However, I can also see that being dangerous for me during a tense moment in one of the stories. I don't think springing out of my chair cursing Professor Moriarty while the technician has the dental scaler in my mouth would be wise!!

Rebecca wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Waiting for the doctor or dentist is so tedious, I will definitely be taking a volume of stories with me next time I go. Although I probably will be tempted to igno..."

I don't think it would work for me. It wouldn't drown out the noise. So I listen to music - just loud enough so that I don't hear the drill, etc.

Jan C wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Waiting for the doctor or dentist is so tedious, I will definitely be taking a volume of stories with me next time I go. Although I probably will be..."

I understand; the sound the drill makes is one of the worst.

Conan Doyle's Holmes' stories are among my all time favourites as well and I re-read these often- Of the novels, I love The Sign of the Four and Baskervilles and of the short stories I have many many favourites like the Red Headed League, the Naval Treaty and the Blue Carbuncle.

Bumping this thread to say that I've just finished The New Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes by Martin Edwards, which are very loving slices of pastiche - short stories he has written over the years, where I think the voice is close to that of the original.

Reading these has reminded me how much I love the originals! Just wondering, which non-Holmes Conan Doyle books would anyone recommend - and also are there any other sequels etc you have enjoyed? Holmes has been revisited and reworked so endlessly!

I have the entire collection on Audible narrated by Simon Vance. It’s on my to do list. Work my way through it.

I had it also, Farrah and I’m pretending to listen it soon. First, I will finished my actual listening, The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith. A dry one, btw.

I’m beginning to listen the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes, produced by audible. I already listened to A Study at Scarlet and like it very much. Stephen Fry’s narration is good and balanced. Next to Sign of Four.

Sounds like a lot of fun in store there, Marcus. I read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories a while back and really enjoyed them. I haven't listened to Stephen Fry reading the Holmes stories, but did enjoy him reading a couple of stories about another detective from the same era, Max Carrados.

http://flip.it/.t21g9

Sherlock Holmes Illustrations

My all time favorite novel is A Study in Scarlet. I also loved the second half, which most people either hate or ignore, even so called Sherlockians. I'm surprised it hasn't caught on with more contemporary audiences, especially with #metoo going on.

I am currently reading Conan Doyle for the Defence

Just before Christmas 1908, Marion Gilchrist, a wealthy 82-year-old spinster, was found bludgeoned to death in her Glasgow home. A valuable diamond brooch was missing, and police soon fastened on a suspect - Oscar Slater, a Jewish immigrant who was rumoured to have a disreputable character. Slater had an alibi, but was nonetheless convicted and sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment in the notorious Peterhead Prison.

Seventeen years later, a convict called William Gordon was released from Peterhead. Concealed in a false tooth was a message, addressed to the only man Slater thought could help him - Arthur Conan Doyle. Always a champion of the downtrodden, Conan Doyle turned his formidable talents to freeing Slater, deploying a forensic mind worthy of Sherlock Holmes.

Drawing from original sources including Oscar Slater's prison letters, this is Margalit Fox's vivid and compelling account of one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in Scottish history.

I know about Conan Doyle's forays into spiritualism, but I was less aware of his exploits in real life detection.

Ooh, sounds good, Susan, I will be interested to hear more.

The novel Arthur & George by Julian Barnes is based on another real-life case where Conan Doyle got involved in investigating whether there was a miscarriage of justice - I don't remember this book in detail but I know I enjoyed it.

Judy wrote: "Ooh, sounds good, Susan, I will be interested to hear more.

The novel Arthur & George by Julian Barnes is based on another real-life case where Conan Doyle got involved..."

I loved Arthur and George too- ACD has written a much shorter account of the George Edalji case which was also pretty good.

Yes, the beginning of the book mentions Arthur & George.

I read Holmes off and on,and also watch the TV seies. An interesting story that comes to mind is The Red Headed League.
The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes is currently with me,though I suppose the stories in this volume are not the best.

I’ve actually found that even the weaker volumes each had some classic stories, including the Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, but there were definitely some weaker ones in Casebook. Really, none of the short story books after Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes were as good. He didn’t enjoy writing the stories after he tried killing off Sherlock, and I don’t think his heart was in it most of the time. He mostly wrote them 1. To make money, as they were VERY profitable, and 2. So he would have relevance as a writer so he could write other books.

Has anyone read an annotated version of the Holmes stories? If so would you recommend it?

The one I've seen is The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels and there is The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Short Stories as well by the same author. I'm curious as to what sort of notes are included. If the library was open I'd try to get hold of a copy. At £45 each I'm not willing to just take a punt on buying it!

I like the idea of having someone "at my shoulder", dropping little extra bits of info in at the appropriate places in the narrative!

I read the annotated version of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes about 10 years ago or so. I don’t remember it too well. There WAS a lot of info, although it makes each story very lengthy. I’d recommend reading them once, but you’d probably be better off borrowing them, or getting it on ebook.

Bruce wrote: "I read the annotated version of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes about 10 years ago or so. I don’t remember it too well. There WAS a lot of info, although it makes each story very lengthy. I’d rec..."

Thanks Bruce.

I purchased The Oxford Sherlock Holmes Series published in the 1990's (one example here) which was I believe a 9-volume series. The annotations are all at the back so don't need to interrupt the flow. The ones I had were hardcover but were also small books (12x19 cm/5x8 ") so quite pleasant to read.

Thanks Frances. I'm curious about what's included in the annotations, if either of you remember anything about that.

I read a lot of non-fiction books which have annotations. Those are very factual, showing the source for quotes or stats in the text and that sort of thing. I wonder what sort of annotations are given for fiction.

I suppose what I'm hoping for is something that will help me understand the story better, or its historical context. I read a lot of Victorian and early 20C fiction and I often think I'm missing something. Either a phrase doesn't mean anything to me, or some cultural reference goes over my head. I imagine that readers at the time would have had quite a different experience compared to us reading it now.

I actually don’t remember. I think there might have been things explaining historical things mentioned, etc, but I don’t remember specifically.

Rebecca wrote: "Recently finished the complete works of Sherlock Holmes; a bit sad it is all over, but already looking forward to a re-read. I can't believe it took me so long to finally pick up Sherlock but I am ..."

I really enjoyed his short story collection immensely and his works over all. I want to go back and reread as well. The only one I wasn't too keen on was "A Study in Scarlett" but other than that, I love the stories and novels like "The Hound of the Baskervilles"

Sue wrote: "Thanks Frances. I'm curious about what's included in the annotations, if either of you remember anything about that.

I read a lot of non-fiction books which have annotations. Those are very factu..."

The annotations are quite detailed-some are definitions of more obscure words, there are mini-biographies of people we should know and historical details, some discussions about the manuscript and changes or possible missprints/misspellings-in one volume (His Last Bow) there are 70 pages of explanatory notes for 167 pages of actual text plus an introduction (30 pages) a chronology of ACD and an appendix of 3 unsigned pieces by P.G. Wodehouse. Quite a lovely little set.

Thanks Bruce and Frances. I'll try to get a copy of these annotated books then because I think it'll add a lot to my enjoyment of these stories.

I have The Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Four Novels and the Fifty-Six Short Stories Complete. It been a long time since I read through this version. The 2 volumes have the 56 short stories and 4 novels arranged chronologically. Full of fascinating info.

Ellen wrote: "I have The Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Four Novels and the Fifty-Six Short Stories Complete. It been a long time since I read through this version. The 2 volumes have the 56 short ..."

Thanks Ellen, I'll keep an eye out for it.