Sherlock Holmes: Sir Arthur Canon Doyle
My apologies on not having a new post in some time. I have not had computer access for a few weeks and typing a review on my blackberry storm would seem a bit monumental.
Now, on to Holmes. As I began this fascination into reading I decided I wanted to test my resolve with a mild case of classic literature. By now, if you have been keeping up on my posts, you'll have found out I'm going through a Book to Movie phase. Sherlock Holmes was being released so therefore I decided to try my hand at Sir Doyle's work.
I purchased the first and second completed series and, having known nothing of Sherlock Holmes other than Deductive Reasoning and something about him being a drug addict, I found that the books were shorter than I originally thought. My first experience was through the life of Jefferson Hope and his revenge in the murder of his beloved and her father at the hand of some wealthy snubbed nosed young men who's hierarchy held deep roots in the Mormon religion. I found it interesting that Sir Doyle would write about Brigham Young and the Mormon movement westward in such a dark deliberate light being this particular Sherlock Holmes adventure was written just some 30 years after the popular Mormon's death. Doyle paints a deceptive and sinister agenda on part of the Mormon membership, which leads me to wonder what might have happened in Doyle's personal life which would cause him to go in such a direction towards Brigham Young himself and the entire Mormon structure.
Alas, I found as I continued reading further stories many of them began to take on them same outline in happenings.
Begin with Sherlock Holmes brilliance and relationship with Dr. Watson. Followed by the initial presentation of a case, leading to investigation. Holmes will have solved the case within a few short moments, but will not fill anyone in on the matter until it has all played out. Brilliance, or Pomp? A little of both I think. Then after the perpetrator is case or case is solved the story will undoubtedly continue to explain the events leading to the act. The stories capture me, but yet in my personal opinion I found the repetition a bit monotonous. However, Sherlock Holmes the Character truly is brilliant and original. I love the idea of a man not moved by emotion so much as facts and the need for stimulation. Such character have undoubtedly been spun off from the knight's tales. Some that come to mind off hand are new TV shows Psych, the mentalist. So, observant it seems supernatural. Spock from Star Trek, driven by reason, not feelings (most of the time). Whether these characters truly were spawned from Sherlock Holmes I have no idea. You'd have to ask their creators. I do believe this is what has made Sir Doyle's master of detection a classic that will and has lasted the tests of time.
Continuing on the comparison of the books to the movie. The discrepancies were so incredibly numerous I abandoned the thought that they were following any specific story in Arty's tales and decided to create a hodge podge of all characters from many stories and develop a plot of their own originality. Examples: Holmes met Dr. Watson's fiance during a case the same time Watson did, not at a restaurant. Dr. Watson played by Jude Law was of course an exceedingly fit man who could hold his own in altercations with multiple assailants. The Dr. Watson in the books was an ill man who had to disengage his practice for a time due to his time in the Afghanistan war.
However, it is safe to assume that Watson did indeed heal. But to the point of grandeur, possibly not. But Hollywood will be Hollywood. The rest I will leave to you to find. The books as well as the movie were very good. I enjoyed reading then watching so than I may know the Spirit of what Sir Arthur Canon Doyle was creating, and Guy Richie, in developing a riveting script
I hope you do not pass up this classic Character in all of his adventures and that you do not leave this world without getting to know Holmes and his Companion through the written word.
In another direction, to anyone who keeps up with these reviews I ask that they keep me in their prayers. I have been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. With having a three month old baby, and a three year old marriage we are starting down a long road.
Thanks and keep reading.
Stoney Vance
Now, on to Holmes. As I began this fascination into reading I decided I wanted to test my resolve with a mild case of classic literature. By now, if you have been keeping up on my posts, you'll have found out I'm going through a Book to Movie phase. Sherlock Holmes was being released so therefore I decided to try my hand at Sir Doyle's work.
I purchased the first and second completed series and, having known nothing of Sherlock Holmes other than Deductive Reasoning and something about him being a drug addict, I found that the books were shorter than I originally thought. My first experience was through the life of Jefferson Hope and his revenge in the murder of his beloved and her father at the hand of some wealthy snubbed nosed young men who's hierarchy held deep roots in the Mormon religion. I found it interesting that Sir Doyle would write about Brigham Young and the Mormon movement westward in such a dark deliberate light being this particular Sherlock Holmes adventure was written just some 30 years after the popular Mormon's death. Doyle paints a deceptive and sinister agenda on part of the Mormon membership, which leads me to wonder what might have happened in Doyle's personal life which would cause him to go in such a direction towards Brigham Young himself and the entire Mormon structure.
Alas, I found as I continued reading further stories many of them began to take on them same outline in happenings.
Begin with Sherlock Holmes brilliance and relationship with Dr. Watson. Followed by the initial presentation of a case, leading to investigation. Holmes will have solved the case within a few short moments, but will not fill anyone in on the matter until it has all played out. Brilliance, or Pomp? A little of both I think. Then after the perpetrator is case or case is solved the story will undoubtedly continue to explain the events leading to the act. The stories capture me, but yet in my personal opinion I found the repetition a bit monotonous. However, Sherlock Holmes the Character truly is brilliant and original. I love the idea of a man not moved by emotion so much as facts and the need for stimulation. Such character have undoubtedly been spun off from the knight's tales. Some that come to mind off hand are new TV shows Psych, the mentalist. So, observant it seems supernatural. Spock from Star Trek, driven by reason, not feelings (most of the time). Whether these characters truly were spawned from Sherlock Holmes I have no idea. You'd have to ask their creators. I do believe this is what has made Sir Doyle's master of detection a classic that will and has lasted the tests of time.
Continuing on the comparison of the books to the movie. The discrepancies were so incredibly numerous I abandoned the thought that they were following any specific story in Arty's tales and decided to create a hodge podge of all characters from many stories and develop a plot of their own originality. Examples: Holmes met Dr. Watson's fiance during a case the same time Watson did, not at a restaurant. Dr. Watson played by Jude Law was of course an exceedingly fit man who could hold his own in altercations with multiple assailants. The Dr. Watson in the books was an ill man who had to disengage his practice for a time due to his time in the Afghanistan war.
However, it is safe to assume that Watson did indeed heal. But to the point of grandeur, possibly not. But Hollywood will be Hollywood. The rest I will leave to you to find. The books as well as the movie were very good. I enjoyed reading then watching so than I may know the Spirit of what Sir Arthur Canon Doyle was creating, and Guy Richie, in developing a riveting script
I hope you do not pass up this classic Character in all of his adventures and that you do not leave this world without getting to know Holmes and his Companion through the written word.
In another direction, to anyone who keeps up with these reviews I ask that they keep me in their prayers. I have been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. With having a three month old baby, and a three year old marriage we are starting down a long road.
Thanks and keep reading.
Stoney Vance
Feel free to post comments as to your findings
ReplyDeleteBy the way the books get a 6 out of 10
ReplyDelete