El inicio de uno de los personajes más icónicos de la historia.
Estudio en escarlata es la primera novela de Conan Doyle donde conocemos a Holmes y Watson y el método deductivo para resolver crímenes que emplea el famoso detective.

Pero no es solo el inicio de Sherlock Holmes si no el comienzo de un relato policiaco que revolucionó el género y que ahondó en lo ya iniciado por Edgar Allan Poe.

Por todo esto es una novela obligatoria de leer aunque tenga partes que no me hayan gustado tanto. De verdad que no recordaba, ya que lo leí en el instituto, que estas novelas tuvieran unos flashbacks tan extensos contando la historia de la víctima y el asesino. Ya me pasó con El valle del miedo, cuya historia de logias en las minas de Pensilvania se me hizo aburrida y la parte de Sherlock Holmes era minoritaria. Aquí me ocurre lo mismo con la historia de los mormones en Utah.

Le pongo más nota por lo que comentaba antes. Vemos aquí el inicio de algo histórico y las conversaciones entre Holmes y Watson es algo que no puedes dejar de leer. Pocos personajes tienen tanto magnetismo como estos dos. Pero ve con la idea de que estas partes son menores y el grueso de la historia son los flashbacks.

At the inception of the second part, I was contemplating as to why there's strong contrast with what I've been reading until now. Simultaneously, I was also aware that this is providing the background of the crime that happened, but I still think that the background was way too detailed.

However, taking nothing away from the author, the way in which Sherlock unravels the mystery is good enough a reason why Conan Doyle became a world-renowned author.

The quotes in between the chapters were breathtaking!

4.6 stars rounded to 5 from my side!

I'll write more in this review in a couple of days! [Busy reading the other 3 novels :)]

Quite clearly marvelous to see how the rules of detective fiction/noir are placed so meticulous and clear in this, the first Sherlock Holmes novel. Halfway the locale turns exotic--Holmes already knows who the culprit is--and, fittingly, the motive is but half the story! What a feeling of pervasive excitement the mid 19th century had with these cerebral, albeit universal, yarns of suspense.

As slight-yet-surprising a tome as (another English hero) James Bond's first foray, Ian Fleming's ultracool "Casino Royale."

n  n    An anti-reviewn  n
I don’t read reviews of books, of which I am damn sure I will be reading it very soon. Now, I don’t know how this habit affects my reading.

So, what happened was..
I was not aware of the fact that “I had to be surprised when the second part of the book starts and wonder what happened to the story with Sherlock Holmes in it and how that mystery was solved! Moreover, I had to wonder whether the second part was from some other book, somehow got binded in my copy and curse the publishers”. I was not surprised and neither did I curse the publishers.

As I was ill-prepared for reading, this resulted in me being not disappointed like I was supposed to be.
I was not aware of the fact that “I had to loathe the second part because it didn’t have Sherlock Holmes but instead Mormons and whatnots”. I couldn't loathe it because it was equally good.

I was even not aware of the fact that “I had to drop my jaw when Sherlock Holmes says ‘Gentleman, let me introduce you to Mr. Jefferson Hope, the murderer of...’”. But I did, so atleast I got some expression right.
You see, I was not aware of such shortcomings and issues so I enjoyed it a bit more than I should have. It’s a promise that I will hate the second part and enjoy it less on my re-read.

And I mean no...


n  Earlier...n
Okay, what the hell am I going to write for this review without writing spoilers, because everything turns out to be a spoiler.
Damn! This is hard.
I don’t know what to include and what not to include!
Maybe, I should include this line, for this is best:

n  I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.n

No, I should not, since almost every reviewer has used this line. So I am not going to write it in my review too and lengthen it unnecessarily, I will skip this.
This is going to be damn hard, I can't find a single thing to write about.
And what should I write about Sherlock Holmes?
Kemper wrote: “Sherlock Holmes is a dick.” and got bunch of votes. I should also write something like that.
Like, Sherlock Holmes is douchebag. Nah! that doesn’t sound nice and that is not correct either.
I don’t want to write about the same issue of disjointed second part being a problem and this part being boring too, I didn’t felt so. But almost every review says same thing.

I can’t think of anything to write. I should probably skip this one and write review of Cosmicomics, I need to edit that ‘FUCKING MINDFUCK’ I have left over there.

No, I must write something!
Maybe, I should review others' reviews and in this process the book will also be reviewed. This sounds like good idea, but may be offensive. So I should mention in my review at last that:
I mean no harmdisrespect, I just happen to love Sherlock Holmes.

Ah! My dear reader of review, I see you have just returned from Afghanistan, in a black cab, driven by an Italian driver, on your way here you stopped for breakfast at a McDonald's where you were served by a pregnant red-headed lady. I am sure you are wondering how I know all this. Well, my dear fellow (I have also immediately deduced your gender) I have my methods. Now, to the matter of writing this A Study in Scarlet review, that, my friend, is a three pipes problem.

Wait! Don't go away just yet! I've finished with that crap now, I am aware that reviewing is a serious undertaking which should not be subjected to this kind of tomfoolery and silly references. Not to worry. The game is afoot! (sorry).

A Study in Scarlet is Conan Doyle’s very first Sherlock Holmes story, and as such appears to be the most read, according to Goodreads’  Arthur Conan Doyle page. So the first section of the novel introduces our beloved narrator, Dr. John Watson; just back from Afghanistan, looking for an affordable accommodation. Some bloke introduced him to Sherlock and Bob’s your uncle. Of course, we are treated to the very first depiction of Holmes’ amazing power of observation.

(Gratuitous Sherlock photo)

Then they get settled into 221B Baker Street, Holmes starts shredding on his violin, and the British bobbies coming to consult him about the strange case of the gentleman what died of unknown causes, which they find to be “too many” for them. Homes does a lot of his patented scrutinizing, crawling, sniffing, tasting thing, to the astonishment of everybody, but none more so than Watson who is an instant fanboy. Not long after, just when Holmes is about to collar the guilty party, the book goes to Part 2 and something happened which would have flummoxed even Holmes himself if he wasn't confined inside the narrative.

Basically, in “Part II: The Country of the Saints” Holmes and Watson completely disappeared from the book, and the narrative shifts to the backstory of the murderer who is kind of a good bloke, multiple homicides notwithstanding. When I first read A Study in Scarlet many years ago I very much enjoyed the introduction of Holmes and Watson, when I reached Part 2 I was jarred by their sudden absence from the narrative, I flipped through the book and found that Part 2, sans Holmes & Watson goes on for more than 50 pages! I almost gave up on the book then, but gritted my teeth and finished it anyway. Of course, H&W do come back for the excellent denouement. I remember being bored by this Part 2 though, it made me feel like a Holmesless man!

Rereading the book now I have to say that Part 2 is actually a very good standalone-ish story; full of dark villainy, bloody vengeance, and evil Mormons (what?).

Anyway, it is lots of fun if you can forgive the lack of Sherlock, it does help a lot, knowing that in advance. So, fair warning, you read this book and you do without Sherlock for quite a while. In any case, Conan Doyle was a first class storyteller, and this Part 2 is not at all dull. If you want a novel without a meaty non-Sherlock sandwich filling, you may want to pick up  The Hound of the Baskervilles, but really just read A Study in Scarlet and enjoy it as it is. it's elementary.

___________________
Notes:

• Audiobook credit: Free Librivox audiobook , read extremely well by David Clarke. Thank you!

• The very first Sherlock episode "A Study in Pink" takes a surprising amount of plot elements from this book. I shouldn't be surprised really, but I insist.

• Spoiler talk:
“Providence would never have allowed his guilty hand to pick out anything but the poison.”

Jefferson Hope’s plan with the poison pills is very dodgy. Imagine, if “providence” does not oblige him as he expected, he would have died, and the Mormon villain he has been chasing for years would have thought “WTF?”, then have a good old laugh at Jefferson’s stupidity.

Ah, but never mind providence, Conan Doyle is on Jeff’s side so he could not have possibly lost. Still, stupid bloody plan!

You should read this if you like: Sherlock Holmes stories or its many adaptations, detective novels, short mysteries, Victorian London setting.

What a delightful read! Sherlock Holmes and his detective stories have always been a favorite of mine. But while I’m very familiar with the numerous TV and film adaptations of the series, ASIC was my first foray into the novels. As expected the reading experience was slightly different, but equally entertaining.

In A Study in Scarlet, author Arthur Conan Doyle introduces his readers to the infamous Sherlock Holmes, his partner Dr. John Watson, and their crime solving adventures. The story is told in roughly two parts: the first half is seen from Dr. Watson’s perspective as he is pulled into Sherlock’s world of crime solving via deduction. The second half is narrated from the perspective of the criminal as he details his motivation behind the murders.

The mystery is a pretty straightforward one. Especially if you have seen "A Study in Pink" from BBC’s Sherlock, then you already know how this goes. But the Victorian setting, certain nuances in the characters, and lack of technology are things that kept the mystery fresh and engaging. It made the process of deduction that much more impressive.  

“You have brought detection as near an exact science as it ever will be brought in this world.” My companion flushed up with pleasure at my words, and the earnest way in which I uttered them. I had already observed that he was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty.”

With the changes in setting and time period, I was curious to see if the characters had undergone modifications when adapted onto the screen. I was quite used to seeing the neurotic, sociopath version of Sherlock Holmes as played by Benedict Cumberbatch. In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock’s character retains his personality with slight changes: this Sherlock was more excitable at the prospect of crime solving and wasn’t as cynical as the Sherlock from the 21st Century. Victorian Sherlock was also slightly more pompons, though he still carries his love for theatricality and his genius craves attention. He wears his emotions on his sleeve for the most part, though he can be quite tight lipped with information.

"They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains," he remarked with a smile. "It's a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective work.”

Watson’s character in the novel is more that of an observer than an active participant at least in this first installment of the series. By all accounts he becomes a more active partner for Sherlock as the series progresses. Already in this novel, we see him slowly evolve into Sherlock’s friend and confidante. Though a little one dimensional, Watson is an integral part of the novel. He informs and mirrors the reader’s fascination with Sherlock and his methods of observation. In A Study in Scarlet, he exists as a foil to Sherlock own extraordinary abilities. But I have hope that this improves as I make my way down the series.

My only other complaint with the novel is how abruptly the story splits into the second half which is narrated from the killer’s perspective. The digression acts as a flashback into the killer’s background and motivation, but it happened so abruptly it took me out of the story for a bit. It’s such an odd choice to pause for the info-dump right after apprehending the murderer specially as they then go on to narrate the past events when we come back to the cliffhanger from part 1.

But that is a minor complaint, and I really enjoyed the mystery otherwise. It served as a really good introduction to the characters and the series as a whole. I would recommend it to anyone looking to get a sense of the Sherlock Holmes stories or looking for a place to start reading this gargantuan series. You can also read this novel for comparison with the BBC Sherlock and see how the show diverges from the source material. It certainly made me appreciate the Pilot episode a lot more the direction the BBC version took to establish its characters and the mystery in just its pilot episode. 3 stars.

"

August 2020 5 stars ⭐️
Group read for English Mysteries, as part of ongoing a complete Holmes buddy read.
So having just finished this book, I am seriously considering upping my rating to 5 stars. I had forgotten how good it was, even the bit that I had previously found rather boring,  the background part giving details of why the crime was committed .
So I shall have to give serious thought over the next few days as to whether the wonderful scenes of the first encounters between Holmes and Watson, and the investigation into the "Study in Scarlet", warrant an upgrade to 5 stars.

January 2016 4 stars ⭐️
Having recently read some of ACD's Challenger books I was well used to and at ease with the writing style, and it felt like coming home to a cosy room. I have read a Study in Scarlet before, many years ago, but remembered little of it, now I realise it was certainly the weakest of the novels, given that half of it is background after the event.
Having said that it was enjoyable, and brought me back into the Holmes fold, where I haven't been for many a year. It re-reminded me that in my opinion Jeremy Brett is THE archetypal Holmes actor. I see his face and mannerisms as I read, or was he just so good in dedicating the remainder of his acting career and life to Holmes that his interpretation is just so accurate. Anyway having re-read this I shall endeavour to read more Holmes thru the year.

“There is no satisfaction in vengeance unless the offender has time to realize who it is that strikes him, and why retribution has come upon him.”

Sherlock Holmes is a legend. I've watched movies and TV shows, heard stories and read adaptions, but to this day I never read the original work. I wondered if original Sherlock would own up to BBC Sherlock, and so he did. But while their personalities are quite similiar, their stories still differ a lot, which was to be expected. I have to admit that I got a little bored and annoyed throughout this book, and I blame five big chapters in Part II of A Study in Scarlet. Suddenly I was in the middle of America, reading a story about Mormons, Secret Societies and the Great Plains - a subplot that had, to my disappointment, no Holmes included. The murder mystery was interrupted by a large background story that I had no interest in whatsoever.

This novel was a classic example of a good story that took an undesired turn and therefore changed my formerly positive opinion of it. I still intend to pick up the sequels, this one was nevertheless promising.

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Mysteries are my go to palette cleanser in between denser reads. I have a few go to series, but as my current contemporary series may be winding down, I am always on the lookout for mysteries both old and new. Even though the phrase "elementary, my dear Watson," has become part of the vernacular, I have never read a single Sherlock Holmes story. Looking to alleviate that, I decided to encounter Holmes and Watson when they first met in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first novella, A Study in Scarlet, composed in 1887. Complete with color engravings by Gus Grimsly, I immersed myself in a period piece written at the dawn of the golden age of mysteries and settled in for a fun ride.

Dr. John Watson was returning to London from his service in the British army after being stationed in Afghanistan. Looking for someone to split rent with, a mutual friend suggested a scientist and amateur detective who he thought Watson might be compatible with. Meeting at a university science lab, Watson first encountered Sherlock Holmes as he investigated the properties of blood in water. Holmes deemed Watson someone who he could live comfortably with and the partnership at 221B Baker Street began. As the two men kept different hours while Holmes dabbled in both his detective work and science experiments, Watson and Holmes had little contact in the early days of their living arrangement. Watson had little idea that Holmes was even a sleuth, that is until the day a letter arrived asking for Holmes' assistance on a case, which Holmes insisted that Watson accompany him for. The most famous of detective duos had embarked on their first case.

As in many modern detective stories featuring private investigators, Sherlock Holmes solved the mystery before the police detectives even began to suspect whodunit. Also similar to the modern cases I have read, the police receive all of the credit for solving the mystery even though it is Holmes who comes through in record time. In this case, Holmes' record as a scientist is linked to two murdered bodies with the word Rache written in blood on the wall above their corpses. The police immediately believe that the suspect attempted to write Rachel only to run out of blood, throwing them off the trail. Holmes points out, much to Watson's bewilderment as well, that rache signifies revenge in German. What is the revenge that the murderer is seeking? Only Sherlock Holmes is capable of finding this out.

Doyle's novella takes readers to the old west as he tells a backstory in the second half of this novella. In historical fiction focusing on the formation of the Mormon community in what is now Salt Lake City, Utah, Doyle paints his picture of religion, love, and later revenge. This story is augmented by Grimsley's engravings and black-and-white illustrations, which show the period of both 1850s Utah and 1880s London. I was captivated by the graphics as I had never encountered Holmes or Watson before and was curious as to how they were depicted on paper. The mystery itself is compelling as Doyle's tale moves across thirty years and two continents in a case that finally reaches its apex in London. Holmes scientific background and deduction skills come into play, and it was refreshing to read a mystery that takes place at a time when detectives had to do all of the sleuthing themselves without the aid of gadgets. Leaving the police baffled, it is obvious throughout that Sherlock Holmes is meant to be one eccentric yet intelligent sleuth.

As this is the first of many Holmes and Watson stories, Doyle is first introducing his cast of characters and does not give readers the full spectrum of the Holmes and Watson partnership. Yet, this novella was compelling enough that I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that I visit 221B Baker Street. Hopefully, in the next story I read, I will even be fortunate to hear Holmes utter the famous words, "elementary, my dear Watson." Palette cleansed.

4 stars

إعجابي بشخصية شيرلوك هولمز نبع من إدماني لحلقات المحقق كونان في السابق ومن بعدها سعيت لقراءة قصصه ورواياته، لكن في ظل توقف دار الأجيال عن نشر ترجماتها لمدة طويلة، لم يكن لي إلا النسخ المسروقة والمختصرة وبعد تجاربي معهم فضّلت انتظار دار الأجيال، وأخيرًا رجعوا.
هذه الرواية الأولى التي يظهر بها هولمز وتبدأ صداقته مع واطسون واتخاذهم للعنوان الشهير ٢٢١ب شارع بيكر مسكنًا لهم.
شيرلوك هولمز شخصية مثيرة للغيض والاهتمام في آن. وواطسون راوي ممتاز. أحسن دويل رسم شخصيات نتعلق بها دون معرفة أي شيء تقريبًا عن ماضيها.
الملاحظة والاستنتاج مع المعرفة الواسعة بالعلوم والفنون المتعلقة بالقضايا يشكلون منهج شيرلوك في كل شيء. إدمانه الشديد بالملاحظة يجعلها تتسرب للقارئ بصورة ما، ليحثه على الانتباه للحقائق والعلامات المهملة وأخيرًا ربطها للوصول إلى استنتاج وإن كان تافهًا. وكم من الممتع شحذ هذه القدرات ورؤيتها تُطبق. ويبدو بأن ذلك من الأسباب التي جعلت لشيرلوك هولمز كل هذه الشعبية الجارفة. وكما هو مكتوب في مقدمة ترجمة دار الأجيال، فإن آرثر كونان دويل قد أستلهم صفات شخصيته من أستاذه بكلية الطب الدكتور جوزيف بيل وأساليبه الفذة في تشخيص الأمراض وأصحابها على حد سواء.

في الجزء الأول من الرواية تتطور العلاقات بين الشخصيات وتنخرط الأحداث بجريمة قتل غامضة في بيت مهجور، فيلجأ الضابطَين الغيورَين من بعضهما لطلب المساعدة من شيرلوك.
والجزء الثاني من الرواية شهد تحول غريب أشبه بالاقتحام لكنه رائع. ينقل الأحداث إلى الماضي في وسط الأراضي الأمريكية المقفرة، ليعطي بعد آخر للشخصيات. وتعرفت فيه على المورمون وهم طائفة مسيحية استوطنت ولاية يوتا الأمريكية وما حولها. ومن أبرز اختلافاتهم عن باقي الطوائف هي سماحهم بتعدد الزوجات، بالإضافة لكتبهم المقدسة الأخرى ونشأة معتقدهم. لست متأكدًا من صحة المجتمع الذي صورته الرواية عنهم والأغلب في ظني بأنها كانت صورة نمطية مشوهة. لكن على أي حال فالأحداث كانت متسارعة ومثيرة وربطها بالجزء الأول جوهري. موهبة دويل لا تنحصر بابتكار الشخصيات فقط، فحتى السرد والوصف كانوا رائعين.
الرسوم أضفت طابع جميل للرواية ككل. وترجمة الأجيال لا غبار عليها وسعدت جدًا بعودتهم للنشر.

When I read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in May, it stuck with me almost immediately. This did not. It has been like four months and I do not remember a single plot point and I frankly do not want to.

Study in Scarlet is not a bad book. Let’s just get that out there. It’s an interesting book, actually, towards the beginning—the first few scenes are exciting, and do an excellent job at setting up the characters of Holmes and Watson. It’s easy to see why these stories were such an overnight success.

I don’t know where exactly it begins to fall apart. I just know that it does.

Listen… Is this not just a short story that has been made novella length for no reason? Truly. Is it not that? There is no purpose to this being so long—frankly, the plot structure began suffering to me. And I honestly just didn’t sign up to be lectured about Mormonism for so many pages for a mystery that would’ve made a perfectly fine short story.

Is this a low-level take? Almost certainly. Is it honest? Absolutely.

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