Books on the Nightstand discussion
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A Study in Scarlet
Crime Fiction Read-Along
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April Read-Along: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first novel
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Linda
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Mar 30, 2012 10:17AM
This novel was first published in 1887. I have just started reading it and will post comments later.
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I read this last year, just before our local PBS played the updated version. (unplanned) It was interesting to. See what was kept and what was changed. I have to admit it took mea while to figure out who had killed her. Lots of twists and turns. I have e next 4-5 books already loaded on my ereader.
I found the extended back story that starts part II to be jarring. On some level, it made me read quickly (after checking to make sure it wasn't a second story in the volume) to figure out how Holmes had done it. Clearly, Doyle didn't have a set pattern to follow yet; he was just figuring the genre out (or creating it!)I liked the reference to Poe's story and how the book differentiates itself from the methods posed therein. Having just read it, as well as the excellent background from our readalong hostess, I felt very connected to the contemporary literary issues the book engages with.
I first would like to ask if you could offer additional advice on how the read-along works? The timing of our discussions, for example....is there an ideal time to start a discussion? I'm new, and I don't want to break any rules! Is this going to be the main place where we can discuss each book?My first thought about Study in Scarlet is a question for all of you: why do we have so many different interpretations of Sherlock Holmes stories in movies and TV? Also, why is the character of Sherlock Holmes so appealing? How would you compare Sherlock Holmes to a similar person in a contemporary work of crime fiction?
I enjoyed reading the blog with background on how the works were originally received. It always interests me, however, to think how the same story can be re-read generation after generation, possibly for different reasons. Why is Holmes popular to our generation? What do you think?
I have no clue what the OFFICIAL rules are (or if there are any), I figured we could talk about the book at any point throughout the month. There doesn't seem to be anything up on SOHO's blog. This is my first red-along though, so if I'm doing it wrong, someone please let me know!
Hi, guys! I wanted to let you know that I put up a first post on the Soho Press blog here:bit.ly/HQf1eu
The theme: What does Sherlock Holmes mean to you?
It's to open up discussion about the AC Doyle phenomenon and everything he started.
I'll post some about-the-book questions next Tuesday, too!
And apologies to those who are confused about the rules--we totally confused everyone by not having our blog up and running when we thought we would. But everything is going smoothly now! Here's a calendar for all future dates:
http://www.sohopress.com/classic-crim...
There will be two posts every month, one on the second Tuesday of the month to kind of open discussion and inspire people (focusing on background, the author or publishing story, or other fun stuff), then the formal book discussion with about-the-book on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Thanks so much for your patience, all, while we got up and running! It's been an adventure.
I'm glad the blog is up and running. Just in time too as I've just finished this month's choice this morning.I'd just like to say thank you for choosing Sherlock Holmes as I've been meaning to read the stories for ages now and just never get around to it. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the story immensely, his deductive skills are amazing and to him, common place. The second part was a bit iffy though, I wasn't sure if my narrator (as I was listening to it as an Audiobook) had gone off into another story without letting me know. In the end it all worked out though and it all made sense. I wonder though if anyone else was picturing Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law as Sherlock and Watson when reading the book?
High Point: Sherlock being offended at Watson comparing him to Edgar Allen Poe's Dupin. Lol! Wouldn't have gotten that reference had it not been for you, Juliet and this read-a-long. Thanks for getting me back into my crime fiction groove. Can't wait for next month's pick! :)
Shinke wrote: "I'm glad the blog is up and running. Just in time too as I've just finished this month's choice this morning.I'd just like to say thank you for choosing Sherlock Holmes as I've been meaning to re..."
I agree with you Shinke --- I thought that my audio had skipped to another story when the 2nd part started. It seemed so out of place. While I was impressed with Sherlock's skills, I wondered why Drebber and Stangerson would have been travelling together; that seemed odd to me.
I was also picturing Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock and can now see that his characterization is fairly spot-on from the books. One of my favorite parts was when Watson was trying to figure out Holmes' occupation by making a list of things he was good at and things he knew nothing about.
Unfortunately, I don't have a facebook account so I can't make a comment on the soho blog.
Lol! I loved that too. For a moment I thought he was going to get it and then...nothing. Lol! Poor Watson. :)The second part was out of place but lets chalk that up to it being his first novel. That seemed odd to me too, the wrap up wasn't as brilliant as I'd anticipated either but that first part was very good! :)
Well that's sad but you can always comment here. :)
Shinke wrote: "I'm glad the blog is up and running. Just in time too as I've just finished this month's choice this morning.I'd just like to say thank you for choosing Sherlock Holmes as I've been meaning to re..."
Ha! Yes, I agree, it was really gratifying to see AC Doyle refer to Poe--kinda made this whole genre catch-up project worthwhile for me!
Woah! Also thanks JoLene for alerting me to the fact that only Facebook users can comment--I'm working on a solution now. I hope we can establish an OpenID credential or something.
I guess I'm older than most of you. The idea of Robert Downey as Sherlock doesn't appeal (but I haven't watched the movie so I should do so to have a valid opinion) and the new PBS series - didn't like it at all. there's nobody like Jeremy Brett to play Sherlock in MHO. As a preteen I read The Complete Sherlock Holmes and wish I still had it.
