Book Review: Sherlock Holmes
- Reyna Joseph- 9D
- Oct 17, 2020
- 4 min read
Welcome back to yet another post in Rey Blogs!
This week, we are giving a book review on Sherlock Holmes, the greatest fictional detective of all time.
Introduction:
Sherlock Holmes is a novel series written by British Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It made its first appearance in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887, since then it has been the most beloved character made by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story is narrated by Sherlock Holmes' most trusted companion: John Watson, a medical man and late British Military Surgeon.
Story Outline:
Mr. John Watson retires from the British Army and moves back to London. There, he meets his old friend who helps him to find lodgings in the busy streets of London, and that's how he meets his lifelong friend and private consulting detective: Sherlock Holmes. The first adventure documented by Watson was: ' A Study in Scarlet.' It gives a clear introduction about Sherlock Holmes' detective powers and his sharpness to details, which leaves Watson in awe and makes him eager to accompany Holmes in his coming adventures. One of his adventures include' The Sign of Four' which presents Holmes' famous 'seven percent solution.' His other well known adventures include: 'The Hound Of Baskervilles' and 'The Valley of Fear'. These stories takes the readers to a life in Victorian England of horse drawn cabs, fogs and the famous lodgings at 221B baker Street.
Character Description:
Sherlock Holmes:
Sherlock Holmes is a man who believes in ' Art for Art's sake.' His love for detective work and his extraordinary feet in observation makes him one of the best fictional detectives. In the novel, he is portrayed as cold, emotionless, and as a one who thinks from the mind, not from the heart. However, this trait enables him to make a fair judgment in most of his cases and not let his feelings interfere in his professional work. Watson presents Holmes as one of the people who have the natural air of superiority and as someone whose orders can never be. He has keen eyes and great attention to detail, 'You see...but you do not observe.' He is portrayed as being egoistic and yet very caring about his close friends. He is also a man who loves music and is known to play the violin up to late hours. Whenever he is not involved in a case, he turns his attention to research and chemicals. He has sharp eyes and hawk-like features. Mycroft Holmes, the brother of Sherlock Holmes who inherits the same qualities as his brother, is also introduced in the stories.
Dr. John Watson:
Dr. John Watson is the next most important character who narrated the entire story and remains as a very loyal friend. He is a very caring man and get frequently worried about Sherlock Holmes. He is one of the only people who Holmes trusts, he even requests Watson to accompany him on many adventures after Watson had got married and shifted. His narration is very clear and articulate, as well as very classic. he doesn't fail to incorporate both the art of writing as well as the various observations and inferences made by Holmes.
A quick summary of how I felt while reading the book:
Sherlock Holmes was and remains one of my most favorite books. I remember while I started reading it, I was constantly diverted back to the book, It's very engaging and mixed with thrill and suspense. The entire set of the novel included diverse stories, some are calm and pleasant and some which were filled with horror, climax, and thrill. The deduction and delusional powers of Sherlock Holmes and the very appealing narration never failed to grab my attention. I still go back to some of the stories to refresh my memory and I never feel bored. Dr. Watson always included surprise endings and a very detailed approach to how Sherlock solves the most singular of all crimes and saves London from the clutches of criminals like Moriarty.
Some quotes from the book:
"You see but you do not observe. The distinction is clear." - S.H
"It is of the highest importance in the art of deduction to be able to recognize, out of the number of facts, which are incidental and which are vital.." - S.H
"What one man can invent, another can discover." - S.H
"A complex mind.", said Holmes. "All great criminals have that."...
"It was worth a wound- it was worth many wounds to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and the only time, I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation." - Watson, The Adventure of the Three Garridebs.
I would really like to include more quotes from the book, but you see..."I am the most incurably lazy devil that ever stood in shoe leather-- that is when the fit is on me, for I can be spry enough at times." - Sherlock Holmes.
Thank you for reading the post! I hope you like it, see ya next time.
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