A Duet: With an Occasional Chorus

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Charming romance based on Conan Doyle's own courtship of his wife. There are many reasons for a reader's enjoyment of A Duet with Occasional Chorus. Its story is neatly told, and its characters are finely drawn, as might be expected from a writer whose skill and talent were fully developed. But there is, certainly, a sense of surprise at the discovery of the romance and humanity in this book, in sharp contrast to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's more familiar tales of adventure and mystery, although there is an appropriate suspense imparted to everyday Victorian stresses...and temptations. Those who know something about the author's life will recognize many of his interests and enthusiasms, there is much to be learned about the author himself. Doyle himself saw this book as something different. As he

"...my aim has been, in an age of pessimism, to draw marriage as it may be, and as it often is, beautiful and yet simple, the commonplaces of life being all tinged, and softened, and glorified by the light of love. No startling adventures here, for they do not come to such people as I have portrayed, nor would I have them sparkling and talking in aphorisms, for this also is unusual in suburban villas. It is atmosphere...the subtle, indefinable, golden-tinted atmosphere of love...which I have wished to reproduce, and also the humor which the great jester, Life, brings with it. It is on these points that I have succeeded or failed, for I have attempted no other."

Genres: Classics, Romance, Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1899

About the author

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.

Reviews

[Debyi Kucera (Book&BuJo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is simply adorable!

The story of two lovers and the start of their married life, it is just so cute and heartwarming with chuckles throughout each chapter.

[Senga Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ciekawa koncepcja. Zazwyczaj romanse kończą się na końcowej romantycznej scenie. A tu opowieść dopiero się zaczyna.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a prolific writer and this charming tale is a nice change from the Holmes canon. In tone and setting, it reminded me a lot of "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. Conan Doyle doesn't quite have Wilde's witty skill, but he had his tongue firmly in his cheek while writing this. (It might make a good farce.) The situations and dialogue in this story of Victorian newlyweds are at times hilarious in a gentle parody of the popular "ladies' stories" of the time. Several instances of the author's philosophy on male-female relationships are woven in, as well as a couple of hints of his belief in an afterlife and possible reincarnation. The story is in parts a London travelogue, too, as the couple visit Westminster Abbey and sites important to Samuel Pepys and Thomas Carlyle. (A good map of London can be useful to have at hand.) In doing a little research, I found the Wikipedia entry a bit curt, as it cites only one reference of a rather negative review. Another opinion may be found at https://books.google.com/books?id=wD4...

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A minor work by Doyle about two young people who are very much in love. But it is VERY low key and very slow. I was waiting for some conflict or any other story line. But it was simply a lovely story about two people ... the Duet.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little book (120 pages?) about a young couple in love and married. It is sweet.