The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Sunday, 15, Nov 2009 04:46
Published by Penguin, out now, paperback, 1122 pp, £18.99.
What's it all about?
The complete collection of Sherlock Holmes draws together Conan Doyle's best-known works and presents them for the reader to attack in one go or dip into as the mood takes them.
From the short stories to the novella, Holmes' enigmatic character is vividly brought to life through the tales of his trusted friend, Dr Watson. Conan Doyle masterfully constructs each plot and weaves mystery and intrigue into each tale, only to shatter the illusions in the dénouements which reveal his principal character's investigative skill and legendary powers of deduction.
Ordered chronologically, the compendium guides the reader through the early years of Holmes and Watson's friendship as well as the cases they investigate together. Doyle even uses their discourse to shed light on some of Holmes early cases that Watson was not present to record.
Who's it by?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in 1859 in Edinburgh. He trained and went on to work as a doctor in Southsea. It was while waiting for his patients to arrive that he began writing and went on to create Sherlock Holmes.
The author shared his character's sense of justice and was himself a champion to those who were wrongly convicted - he was instrumental in proving the innocence of sportsman Oscar Slater.
It is alleged that the inspiration for Holmes and his extraordinary powers of deduction came from one of his professors at Edinburgh University where he studied medicine.
As an example...
"As I watched him, I was irresistibly reminded of a pure-blooded, well-trained foxhound, as it dashes backward and forward through the covert, whining in its eagerness until it comes across the lost scent." - From a Study in Scarlet, Watson's description of Holmes at the first scene they attend together.
Likelihood of being turned into a Hollywood blockbuster
The new film adaptation, due out on December 26th, featuring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, will more than likely be a success. However, it remains to be seen whether any actor can manage to capture the immense energy Holmes possesses coupled with his intense lethargy that defines his contradictory character.
What the others say
"Holmes has a timeless intelligence that puts him head, shoulders and deer-stalker above all other detectives." - Alexander McCall Smith
"The immense talent, passion and literary brilliance that Conan Doyle brought to his work give him a unique place in English letters." - Stephen Fry
So is it any good?
This compendium will appeal to stalwart fans of the remarkable detective as well as providing an excellent introduction to his character for those who are discovering the books for the first time.
Although set in a very different age, the stories have a timeless nature that allows readers to engage with Holmes and Watson and the situations they find themselves in.
As a newcomer to the Sherlock Holmes novels, I found the stories engaging and eminently readable. Unlike some of Doyle's literary counterparts, his books are easy to pick up and instantly draw the reader in. His description of 19th century England is effortlessly worked into his writing in a way that does not detract from the stories themselves.
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous fictional characters in the world and everyone should read at least one of his stories in their lifetime. These classics do not disappoint.
9/10
Katherine Lewis