Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories, Vol. II by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

4/5 rating. 737 pages.

Book #58 of 2021. Read September 6, 2021.

This is the second half of the full collection of the original Sherlock Holmes stories.

These are wonderful, fun stories that have piqued reader’s interest for over 100 years. As evidenced by the vast array of re-tellings and adaptations of Sherlock and Watson, these stories connect with readers as well today as they did back when they were written.

It is curious to see how Sherlock’s temperament has shifted in re-tellings. I was reading some stories surprised at the sheer humanity he has in the original tales. Especially as compared to the BBC’s “Sherlock”, Doyle’s is much more skillful in social interactions. There are statement’s about how he always deals wonderfully with women, giving them assurances in his speech. He is also just shown to be more likeable. Obviously the brain comes first, and he basically never leads with his heart, but the idea of a “high-functioning sociopath” definitely does not come across.

I think these stories are definitely fun to read and if you like any of the remakes, I would recommend reading at least a few different ones of the original stories.

Quotes:

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.”

“And yet the course of true love does not run quite as smoothly as one would under the circumstances expect.”

“‘That process,’ said I, ‘starts upon the supposition that when you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.’”

“Man must live for something.”

“I can discover facts, Watson, but I cannot change them.”

“Some of you rich men have to be taught that all the world cannot be bribed into condoning your offenses.”

“Come at once if convenient – if inconvenient come all the same.”

“When one tries to rise above Nature one is liable to fall below it.”

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