Literary Exploration discussion

finally finished the book. A very enjoyable read. looking forward to next months discussion

Sorry, I thought they were incredibly tedious, so I moved on to Dorian Grey ... which is a whole other story.

I agree with the other readers who suggested that the stories are more enjoyable who when not read as an anthology.

I notice that I also read a story then take a break for a day or two and come back to another one. I think this is the case for most short story collections. It's perfect reading when you are reading another book at a time because the short short doesn't take that long to read. As a whole, a really enjoyable collection. I've gotten through most, although I did skip a few. I'll be finishing soon. I'm also watching the Jeremy Brett film versions after I'm finished with the story, so it's taking me awhile to get through.

Finishing up. Really enjoyed The Adventure of the Speckled Band. Excellent murder mystery. The suspense at the end was top notch.

Franky wrote: "I'm also watching the Jeremy Brett film versions after I'm finished with the story, so it's taking me awhile to get through."

This is a great idea! I've watched a few for the stories I've already read and I'm going to watch the others as I finish the stories.

I'm mid-way through "Speckled Band." I really wanted to finish it last night, but I was falling asleep and wanted to be awake enough to catch all the little things.

I usually do these group reads a little at a time because I have other books I'm working on, so it was nice to pick up Sherlock, read a case (or two) and then step back for a little while. I really enjoyed the stories though--I found a lot of the mysteries to be quite creative and enjoyed learning all of the little details involved in the case and what they pointed to.

Despite having read these stories and some of the others in the past, I've only seen the new Sherlock series. I enjoy it but feel like it doesn't really capture the real Sherlock. Is he really that cruel (or perhaps just really removed from everything and everyone else) in the books? I didn't think so. I'll have to try other versions recommended on here.

I'm reading these in between other books too and find them nice to go back to, they are positive and energetic, especially after something more wrenching. I just finished The Five Orange Pips and what I found interesting was the KKK showing up as part of the plot. I've never thought of the horrible Ku Klux Klan acting outside of the US or being familiar outside of the US so it was a surprise to find them up to their dirty tricks in a Sherlock Holmes story. Watson was not familiar with them, but Holmes of course was.

Of the actors who have played Holmes, I think Basil Rathbone captures him the best, the knife edge intellect, and the lack of human connection being more a by-product of his intellect than something overtly intentional. Robert Downey seems more like a mafioso trying to be Victorian.

I really enjoyed this book, and like the fact that I could read a story and move on to something else.

I also agree with what other people have said about finding it interesting the inspiration for some of Doyle's stories. I especially like "The Red Headed League." I found out that this story was influenced by the Blue-Eyed Six which was international news in the late nineteenth century. I always find it interesting what authors are influenced by.

I really did enjoy this book, and will most likely read more Sherlock Holmes stories in the future.

This is my first time to read Sherlock Holmes, I wasnt too sure i would like it but it turns out i cant put it down. I may have discovered a new favorite of mine, I never thought of looking into detective/mysteries. I have missed out on so much!

This is the first book I read with this group. I just finished and I like it. I also liked the length of most of the stories. It made it easy to put down and come back to it later. My favorites are A Study in Scarlet, Silver Blaze, The Crooked Man and The Red-Headed League. I enjoy reading Agatha Christie and the old Perry Mason mysteries so this suited me well.

Enjoyed the stories. Interesting information in the beginning of the book about Doyle's life. A talented man.