New to Sherlock Holmes? Try reading these first.
Because there has been an explosion of Sherlock Holmes on my flist thanks to the enjoyable but not particularly spectacular movie, and in the hope that people will read the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories first before running off to find/write fanfiction, I'm going to do a post with the best and/or my favourite SH stories you should all read. Because really, reading the fanfiction without reading the original source = cardinal sin in my opinion.
These stories are picked for the importance they have in the character/backgrounds of Holmes and Watson and their relationship, and the quality of the cases.
A Study In Scarlet: This is the beginning, where Watson having recently returned from the Afghan wars and having blown most of his money living beyond his means at a hotel is forced to look for someone to share lodgings with him. A distant friend introduces him to Sherlock Holmes at the university. The first half of this novella is about Watson and Holmes getting to know each other, and Watson tagging along with Holmes's first recorded case involving a couple of dead Americans. The second half of the novel is the backstory to the dead men, and really not that interesting frankly, because the important thing is that this is the first case Holmes and Watson go on together.
Link: The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, audio recording of Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke performing Holmes and Watson onstage in 1989, which is essentially about their whole relationship from beginning to nearly the end.
Sign Of Four: Notable only for the introduction of Mary Morstan, who starts out as one of Holmes's clients and ends up Mrs. John Watson. I actually don't care much for this novella, but for those who watched the movie and remember the line of reasoning about the marks on the pocketwatch that led to the pawnbroker, this is the source of that quote.
A Scandal In Bohemia: MUST. READ. This is the story of Irene Adler, adventuress, opera singer, and former mistress of the soon-to-be King of Bohemia. It starts off with the telling paragraph, "To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler ... And yet there was but one woman to him, and that was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory." Read this story and understand why I was disappointed by the movie!Irene Adler because really, in the movie Irene Adler does not come off as a woman a European king in the 19th century would have seriously considered making his queen.
The Man With The Twisted Lip: It starts out with Watson going into an opium den and finding out to his shock that Holmes is among the denizens. I've always found the outcome of this case to be such fun because really it's not something you see coming. Definitely go watch the Granada production of this episode with Jeremy Brett because it's done very well.
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle: A lost Christmas goose picked up by a policeman and delivered to Holmes turns out to have a shiny precious stone stuck in its gullet. It's also discovered that Holmes does feel the Christmas spirit. Again, go watch the Granada/Brett production of this case if nothing else for Holmes being woken up at ridiculous o'clock on a winter morning by Mrs. Hudson and moaning "Go awaaaayyyy ..."
The Adventure of the Speckled Band: Two years ago, the twin sister of Holmes's client spoke about hearing a strange whistling in the night, and eventually died with the words, "The speckled band!" on her lips. Now the client is hearing that same whistle and has come to Holmes for aid. This is considered one of the best SH stories Doyle did in that the villain and his crime is genuinely sinister and definitely one of the most memorable.
The Adventure of the Yellow Face: This one isn't a particularly challenging case, but the ending is all AWW <3 and actually really interesting when you consider when it was written and the racism of the era. (Apparently there was a small change made for the American publication of the story to make it more palatable for the Americans). Also one of the cases where Holmes is completely off the mark. Completely.
The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual: Actually not particularly exciting as a case, but the opening description from Watson about what it's like living with Holmes is always great, as is the way Holmes gets them out of cleaning up. I actually prefer the Granada/Brett 'real time' interpretation of this story -- if nothing else, for the scene where Brett performing Holmes as being completely high on cocaine at an after-dinner social gathering!
The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter: One of the few cases that doesn't get a tidy resolution, this one is notable most of all for the introduction of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's corpulent and more brilliant elder brother. The scene where Mycroft and Sherlock are people-watching and dissecting their object of study with Watson as their audience is great and I want that or something similar in the next movie.
The Adventure of the Final Problem: Written when Doyle got fed up with his creation and killed him off, it features the fascinating Professor Moriarty who I can't wait to see in the next movie because I'm expecting him to make for a much more interesting plot and a serious challenge for Holmes. (Lord Blackwood, really? SNORE). Holmes actually fears for his life in this one, and with good reason. The letter he leaves for Watson at the Reichenbach Falls is as understated in his very real affection for his loyal companion.
The Adventure of the Empty House: "You Brute." So began one letter Doyle received from a reader after he killed off Holmes. After countless other letters Doyle eventually gave in and retconned his creation bringing Holmes back to life in this story, and the way Holmes reveals himself to Watson -- who spent two years believing his best friend was dead -- is hilarious and touching all at once.
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder: One of the cases where Holmes almost fails and unable to help his client. Also good for Holmes's sense of theatre and fun.
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist: I liked this story, it's so quirky and different. And it's really hard not to feel sorry for Watson when Holmes, after sending him out on a mission, tells him how he did pretty much everything wrong. Poor Watson.
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton: The bit in the movie where Lestrade comments about how Holmes would have made a great criminal in another life has its roots in this story, where Holmes and Watson end up having to be burglars for a night. And yes, Holmes really does have a wonderful set of lockpicks that I giggled to see in the movie.
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: This one is fun for the mostly friendly antagonism between Holmes and Lestrade as they both work on the same case where someone is going around smashing plaster busts of Napoleon. Of course Holmes is right and he demonstrates it in such a way that even Lestrade has to give him a round of applause.
The Hound of the Baskervilles: The best of Doyle's four short novels about Holmes by far, and certainly a better 'supernatural' story than the movie. Also notable for how active a role Watson plays and how hurt he is when he finds out Holmes hasn't been exactly frank with him about his plans.
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange: There's been a murder of a country gentleman and the wife -- originally from Australia, which always amused me -- knows more than she's letting on. It has a lovely ending that shows the advantages Holmes has in not being part of the police force.
The Adventure of the Dying Detective: Holmes is sick. Very, very sick. You'd think he'd let Watson take care of him, but no, he's not letting that happen, and Watson is obviously rather upset about it.
The Adventure of the Devil's Foot: Holmes likes experimenting with drugs. This time Watson joins him for the ride and it isn't pleasant. Watson ends up having to save Holmes's life, to tell truth, and it's one of those rare moments where Holmes gets emotional about what he's put his friend through, one that will only be eclipsed by ...
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs: A fairly pedestrian case in my opinion, but the best bit about this story is where Holmes and Watson confront a violent criminal and in the ensuing scuffle Watson gets shot. Watson later declares the shot to be worth the pain when Holmes reacts well, emotionally, and you can read the paragraph for yourself because it really is all AWWWW <3<3.
The Adventure of the Illustrious Client: The villain in this one is a truly repulsive, manipulative creature who doesn't hesitate on hiring goons to beat up Holmes when he finds out that Holmes is investigating him. Lucky for Holmes he lives with a doctor, and really, you should watch the Jeremy Brett version of this case (it's on YouTube) for the scenes of Dr. Watson taking care of his invalid friend.
There you go, now go off and read. If I see anyone else on my flist who has after seeing the movie gone off to read/write Sherlock Holmes fanfiction* without reading at least some of the original stories, I will leave a 'VR' in bullet holes in your head. If any other classic!Holmes fans out there think I've left anything off the list, do tell *pokes piratelicker*
* No, I do not do and have no interest in Sherlock Holmes fanfiction, and definitely no interest in the slash. Sherlock Holmes is one of those literary creations I'm perfectly happy not venturing into fandom for, thank you very much.
These stories are picked for the importance they have in the character/backgrounds of Holmes and Watson and their relationship, and the quality of the cases.
A Study In Scarlet: This is the beginning, where Watson having recently returned from the Afghan wars and having blown most of his money living beyond his means at a hotel is forced to look for someone to share lodgings with him. A distant friend introduces him to Sherlock Holmes at the university. The first half of this novella is about Watson and Holmes getting to know each other, and Watson tagging along with Holmes's first recorded case involving a couple of dead Americans. The second half of the novel is the backstory to the dead men, and really not that interesting frankly, because the important thing is that this is the first case Holmes and Watson go on together.
Link: The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, audio recording of Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke performing Holmes and Watson onstage in 1989, which is essentially about their whole relationship from beginning to nearly the end.
Sign Of Four: Notable only for the introduction of Mary Morstan, who starts out as one of Holmes's clients and ends up Mrs. John Watson. I actually don't care much for this novella, but for those who watched the movie and remember the line of reasoning about the marks on the pocketwatch that led to the pawnbroker, this is the source of that quote.
A Scandal In Bohemia: MUST. READ. This is the story of Irene Adler, adventuress, opera singer, and former mistress of the soon-to-be King of Bohemia. It starts off with the telling paragraph, "To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler ... And yet there was but one woman to him, and that was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory." Read this story and understand why I was disappointed by the movie!Irene Adler because really, in the movie Irene Adler does not come off as a woman a European king in the 19th century would have seriously considered making his queen.
The Man With The Twisted Lip: It starts out with Watson going into an opium den and finding out to his shock that Holmes is among the denizens. I've always found the outcome of this case to be such fun because really it's not something you see coming. Definitely go watch the Granada production of this episode with Jeremy Brett because it's done very well.
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle: A lost Christmas goose picked up by a policeman and delivered to Holmes turns out to have a shiny precious stone stuck in its gullet. It's also discovered that Holmes does feel the Christmas spirit. Again, go watch the Granada/Brett production of this case if nothing else for Holmes being woken up at ridiculous o'clock on a winter morning by Mrs. Hudson and moaning "Go awaaaayyyy ..."
The Adventure of the Speckled Band: Two years ago, the twin sister of Holmes's client spoke about hearing a strange whistling in the night, and eventually died with the words, "The speckled band!" on her lips. Now the client is hearing that same whistle and has come to Holmes for aid. This is considered one of the best SH stories Doyle did in that the villain and his crime is genuinely sinister and definitely one of the most memorable.
The Adventure of the Yellow Face: This one isn't a particularly challenging case, but the ending is all AWW <3 and actually really interesting when you consider when it was written and the racism of the era. (Apparently there was a small change made for the American publication of the story to make it more palatable for the Americans). Also one of the cases where Holmes is completely off the mark. Completely.
The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual: Actually not particularly exciting as a case, but the opening description from Watson about what it's like living with Holmes is always great, as is the way Holmes gets them out of cleaning up. I actually prefer the Granada/Brett 'real time' interpretation of this story -- if nothing else, for the scene where Brett performing Holmes as being completely high on cocaine at an after-dinner social gathering!
The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter: One of the few cases that doesn't get a tidy resolution, this one is notable most of all for the introduction of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's corpulent and more brilliant elder brother. The scene where Mycroft and Sherlock are people-watching and dissecting their object of study with Watson as their audience is great and I want that or something similar in the next movie.
The Adventure of the Final Problem: Written when Doyle got fed up with his creation and killed him off, it features the fascinating Professor Moriarty who I can't wait to see in the next movie because I'm expecting him to make for a much more interesting plot and a serious challenge for Holmes. (Lord Blackwood, really? SNORE). Holmes actually fears for his life in this one, and with good reason. The letter he leaves for Watson at the Reichenbach Falls is as understated in his very real affection for his loyal companion.
The Adventure of the Empty House: "You Brute." So began one letter Doyle received from a reader after he killed off Holmes. After countless other letters Doyle eventually gave in and retconned his creation bringing Holmes back to life in this story, and the way Holmes reveals himself to Watson -- who spent two years believing his best friend was dead -- is hilarious and touching all at once.
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder: One of the cases where Holmes almost fails and unable to help his client. Also good for Holmes's sense of theatre and fun.
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist: I liked this story, it's so quirky and different. And it's really hard not to feel sorry for Watson when Holmes, after sending him out on a mission, tells him how he did pretty much everything wrong. Poor Watson.
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton: The bit in the movie where Lestrade comments about how Holmes would have made a great criminal in another life has its roots in this story, where Holmes and Watson end up having to be burglars for a night. And yes, Holmes really does have a wonderful set of lockpicks that I giggled to see in the movie.
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: This one is fun for the mostly friendly antagonism between Holmes and Lestrade as they both work on the same case where someone is going around smashing plaster busts of Napoleon. Of course Holmes is right and he demonstrates it in such a way that even Lestrade has to give him a round of applause.
The Hound of the Baskervilles: The best of Doyle's four short novels about Holmes by far, and certainly a better 'supernatural' story than the movie. Also notable for how active a role Watson plays and how hurt he is when he finds out Holmes hasn't been exactly frank with him about his plans.
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange: There's been a murder of a country gentleman and the wife -- originally from Australia, which always amused me -- knows more than she's letting on. It has a lovely ending that shows the advantages Holmes has in not being part of the police force.
The Adventure of the Dying Detective: Holmes is sick. Very, very sick. You'd think he'd let Watson take care of him, but no, he's not letting that happen, and Watson is obviously rather upset about it.
The Adventure of the Devil's Foot: Holmes likes experimenting with drugs. This time Watson joins him for the ride and it isn't pleasant. Watson ends up having to save Holmes's life, to tell truth, and it's one of those rare moments where Holmes gets emotional about what he's put his friend through, one that will only be eclipsed by ...
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs: A fairly pedestrian case in my opinion, but the best bit about this story is where Holmes and Watson confront a violent criminal and in the ensuing scuffle Watson gets shot. Watson later declares the shot to be worth the pain when Holmes reacts well, emotionally, and you can read the paragraph for yourself because it really is all AWWWW <3<3.
The Adventure of the Illustrious Client: The villain in this one is a truly repulsive, manipulative creature who doesn't hesitate on hiring goons to beat up Holmes when he finds out that Holmes is investigating him. Lucky for Holmes he lives with a doctor, and really, you should watch the Jeremy Brett version of this case (it's on YouTube) for the scenes of Dr. Watson taking care of his invalid friend.
There you go, now go off and read. If I see anyone else on my flist who has after seeing the movie gone off to read/write Sherlock Holmes fanfiction* without reading at least some of the original stories, I will leave a 'VR' in bullet holes in your head. If any other classic!Holmes fans out there think I've left anything off the list, do tell *pokes piratelicker*
* No, I do not do and have no interest in Sherlock Holmes fanfiction, and definitely no interest in the slash. Sherlock Holmes is one of those literary creations I'm perfectly happy not venturing into fandom for, thank you very much.