Holmes Discussion

So....how was it? What did you think? James and I read the first 7 of the 12 stories together and we did enjoy them. I'm sure we will keep going and finish the book. I actually bought a book that has the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as well as the next book of stories called the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. So we have plenty of Holmes stories to keep us busy for a while. Sometimes, as we were beginning a new story I would think, "These stories are a little repetitive. Holmes always stumps Watson by gleaning clue after clue from seemingly minute details." But then we would find out about the case and I would have to change my thinking. Of the 7 stories we read, the cases all so very different and quite clever, I thought. You would have to be very clever to be able to write about a person as clever as Sherlock Holmes.

Which story was your favorite? I think I would have to choose The Red-Headed League. That one surprised me. Some of the others like A Case Of Identity and The Man With The Twisted Lip I was able to figure out (or at least have a good guess) way before Holmes had to explain it all to Watson. The Red-Headed League was kind of funny to me too. Maybe it wasn't meant to be, but reading about scores of red-headed men lining up in hopes of gaining a wonderful unknown position was funny to me. Then poor Mr. Wilson sitting in an office for a few hours everyday copying the encyclopedia made me laugh some more.

I thought of a couple more questions for you. Why does Holmes like to have Watson's company so often? Aside from documenting cases, what other assistance does Watson offer? Is Holmes just lonely? What did you most enjoy about Sherlock Holmes, the character? Even though he does it over and over, I enjoyed Holmes ability to really observe. I also admired his ability to stop his work and move on to other things when there was nothing more to be done for the current case. Overall, I think Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson both are remarkable people. I hope you all enjoyed the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.