I had read many of these before but there were a few new ones that led to this read, and I reread the rest in order to refresh for a book group. Holmes stories are interesting in that they are mysteries, but not ones where you are given the information to try to actually solve it as more recent ones go with the hints and the red herrings and such. These you just go along for the ride admiring Holmes' genius.

I did notice this time through that most, if not all, of the female characters were very strong. They were smart, observant, deep-thinking, strong-willed, brave, even with a fainting spell here or there, there was a lot of respect to the women despite Holmes' wanting to write off the female sex. And the one person to fully "beat" him that we read about was a woman. There is only one character I can think of off the top of my head that might not fit the profile, but even she had many admirable qualities and had some good insights. But then again, it took me almost a month to read this through so I may be forgetting or muddling.

This book was definitely good! Kept me entertained, even though at some points it can get slightly boring. Still amazing, and reading about the most famous detective was super fun!

The Complete Sherlock Holmes: Volume I by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is great fun to read. Other than the three short novels, A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, this first volume is comprised of a collection of Holmes stories (also published under the titles of Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes). I read this large volume over the course of three months or so, reading stories between the run of bad books I’ve unfortunately had this winter. I’ve never been interested in Sherlock Holmes, probably due to his over-exposure. He’s everywhere and thus I felt no need to read the original stories. That changed when I began watching BBC’s excellent Sherlock. I found the character of Sherlock intriguing (to say nothing of my newly-formed Cumberlust) and the relationship between Sherlock and Holmes is complex and funny and intriguing. So I bought this volume at my local Barnes & Noble and I’ve enjoyed it so much. Even the not-so-great stories are fun.

What I enjoy so much about the stories aren’t necessarily the mysteries. I’ve read much more complex and suspenseful mysteries by other authors. I didn’t have the crimes solved before Sherlock did, but I usually had a fairly good idea of what was going on. What I like is the excellent, no-nonsense, crisp writing. The writing is so economical and practical and what long descriptions there are set the mood effectively. I don’t have to read long annoying passages about how the characters feel. Doyle lets the reader figure that out. I like that Sherlock isn’t overly emotional and his intelligent conversation and deductions are enjoyable. His deductive skills are best displayed in The Sign of Four when Sherlock looks at a watch Watson recently inherited and deduces much from it. This scene is also brilliantly adapted by Sherlock for “A Study in Pink” (1.1). In this episode, Watson’s cellphone (which was given to him by his sister) is the modern substitution for the watch, and the scene is just as enjoyable to watch as it is to read (although I think the modern mystery is better).

I like Watson and his bemusement at Sherlock’s deductive powers. He also struggles to understand why a man who is so intelligent in some areas is completely ignorant in others. There is a scene in a Study in Scarlet in which Watson makes a list entitled: “Sherlock Holmes—his limitations.” Sherlock’s knowledge of literature, philosophy and astronomy are summed up thusly: “nil” and his knowledge of politics is “feeble.” This is also when Watson is flabbergasted to learn that Sherlock doesn’t know that the earth goes around the sun: “My surprise reached a climax, however, when I found incidentally that he was ignorant of the Copernican Theory and of the composition of the Solar System. That any civilized human being in this nineteenth century should not be aware that the earth travelled round the sun appeared to me to be such an extraordinary fact that I could hardly realize it” (14). When Watson reproaches him for his ignorance, Sherlock interrupts impatiently: “What the deuce is it to me? You say that we go round the sun. If we went round the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to me or to my work” (15). Benedict Cumberbatch, by the way, said this line with such childish irritation and arrogance while flouncing around in his robe; a great interpretation of the complex, mercurial personality that is Sherlock Holmes.

The Sherlock Holmes stories are very evocative of nineteenth century London and I feel as if I am there walking the foggy streets dimly lit by gas lights. The descriptions of the moor in The Hound of the Baskervilles make the story even more creepy and scary: “Our wagonette had topped a rise and in front of us rose the huge expanse of the moor, mottled with gnarled and craggy cairns and tors. A cold wind swept down from it and set us shivering” (615). This was creepy story and I enjoyed it immensely.

What surprised me to learn is that the things Sherlock is most famous for (the cape, the curved pipe and the deerstalker cap) don’t exist in the stories. Sherlock does smoke a pipe, but it’s straight, not curved. An early illustrator of the original stories added these affectations. Sherlock’s famous line, “It’s elementary, Watson” (and variations on that) is said only once in all the stories. What Sherlock most often says is, “You know my methods, Watson,” but apparently that’s too wordy and not as catchy. Also, Professor Moriarty, Sherlock’s genius evil alter-ego, only appears in one story: “The Final Problem.” Since so much is made of him, I thought he would be a repeating character, but he is not. However, he is so clever and evil and so like Sherlock, he makes an impressive and lasting impression.

I would have enjoyed these Sherlock Holmes stories anyway, but my enjoyment was heightened whenever I came across a plot or character habit or dialogue that had been adapted directly into the BBC’s Sherlock. The two mediums together are a special treat. However, when I read the stories, I don’t picture Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock. The Sherlock Holmes and John Watson of the stories are similar, but not the same, as the characters in the television show. If you are a fan of the show, you may want to go right to the source and read the stories. I absolutely loved them and look forward to starting volume two and the resurrection of Sherlock in “The Empty House.”

Sherlock Holmes has impressed me to no end. I thoroughly enjoyed these stories, I liked that even though they were separate the narrator maintained a timeline to connect them. Similar to Nancy Drew I was a little disappointed that there were only hints of the supernatural with every case having a logical, practical resolution, but only a little. I originally wanted to put the second volume on hold, as I was not ready to depart from Watson and Holmes, until I came to the last story where Watson annouced that he believed Holmes to be dead. I was almost in tears. Surely Holmes appears in volume two? Now I have to read it just to make sure.

This month, I have read ten of the short stories for 12th grade British Literature. I am a little disappointed that this was my first foray into the adventures of Holmes and Watson. But, to be trite, better late than never.

What is there to say that hasn't already been said? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote incredibly compelling tales and created one of the most magnificent characters in the history of literature. Despite more than a century in popular culture with countless interpretations in books, films, and television, there is nothing overrated about Sherlock Holmes. His methods of deduction are brilliant and contagious; I find myself attempting to use them whenever possible. His personality is interesting, especially given its differences with many well-known portrayals of the character. (On a humorous note, Holmes' keen awareness of his own abilities sometimes reminds me of that of Hercule Poirot.)

The following is a list of the stories I have read thus far, the first five being a part of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and the latter five from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes:

A Scandal in Bohemia - Probably my favorite of the bunch. The first paragraph alone is captivating.
The Red-Headed League
The Boscombe Valley Mystery
The Adventure of the Speckled Band - Another favorite of mine. Highly suspenseful.
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
Silver Blaze
The Crooked Man
The Resident Patient
The Naval Treaty
The Final Problem - This is the only story that left me feeling dissatisfied. I can clearly see how, in its day (when no one knew Holmes would come back), readers felt betrayed. It was an easy out, and contrived, at that. If Moriarty had been in, or even alluded to, in previous stories, and if Holmes' beloved methods had actually been on display, then this story would have been one of the very best. Thank goodness Doyle eventually decided to revive, as Dr. Watson states, "the foremost champion of the law... whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest man whom I have ever known." (Pg. 570)

I am very excited to continue reading these books and short stories; I might even try watching one of the movies about them. I'm a little choosy when it comes to Holmes, so I'll probably play it safe and stick with Basil Rathbone. I'm pretty sure he actually was Sherlock Holmes.

I have read and re-read so many of the stories in this collection enough times that Watson and Holmes feel like old friends (well, Watson, at least . . . Holmes is a bit more reticent in the friend-making department), and I will always be fond of these adventures. I'm not sure if my love of spooky old manor houses out in the country is because of Sherlock Holmes, or if I love the Sherlock Holmes stories because they so often feature spooky old manor houses out in the country. Either way, it's hard not to appreciate all the gothic and Victorian spookiness that you'll find in these tales, whether it's on a dark fog-shrouded London street in the long hours of the night or out on the moors under the cold, silver light of the moon. For a self-proclaimed non-reader of mysteries - not particularly a genre that gets me going, in most instances - I really do love these stories a lot.

Now, on to Volume II!

Ugh I love Sherlock stories.

OH MY GOSH. That took me WAY longer than I thought it would... but I finished it!! I've said this before, but this must have been a marvel in its day... The way Holmes understands natural human reactions and thought processes is still almost super-human-like today! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a genius himself to put something like this together... Amazing!

I had forgotten so many little things about Holmes and Watson and the original stories of ACD.

It seems like a phenominal statement to make doesn't it? Holmes and Watson have been fixtures in my life, since I can't remember when. I have been watching movies and TV shows about them since my parents got our 1st TV when I was six years old. The can still remember the horror I felt watching one of the The Hound of the Baskervilles movies (I do not remember which version).

This year, there is a new TV show called Elementary where Dr. Watson is a woman.
I am still watching the Jeremy Brett episodes on public TV as well as the newer verson called Sherlock. There is a blog on the internet written by Dr. John Watson that chronicles Sherlock from the show. I can watch them all in the same week AND pop in a DVD of the newest movies any time I want.

The greatest thing though, is that I can still read all of the original stories and books - written over 100 years ago because they are still in print. I can download them onto my e-reader or go to the library and check them out or go to the bookstore or internet and buy a book.

What I liked about this book is the editor's notes and the history and timeline information.
The foot notes about the British terms, and translations of the French, German and Latin sayings and mini history notes referenced about the people mentioned in the stories is wonderful. Author Cannon Doyle put SO MUCH in his stories besides just Holmes and Watson. Don't get me wrong - I love them, I do, but I love the people, history, art, and literature in the stories too!!!

Next up, volume II...

Sherlock Holmes
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I’ve had Volume 1 & 2 of Sherlock Holmes for two years now? And made it a goal to read Volume 1 in the month of July.
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I failed. It took me a month and a half to finish it!

I appreciated the style and direct writing, but I struggled with distinguishing among the few characters.

I loved the novels (The Hound of the Baskervilles was a reread for me), but the stories were very much hit-or-miss.