Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. What I like about reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books is that they are fairly easy to read yet they still have the ancient feeling to them which excites my mind.
Part 1 was joyful reading. I found the introduction of Holmes and Watson cute. Especially this exchange where they first discuss sharing rooms:
Sherlock Holmes seemed delighted at the idea of sharing his rooms with me. “I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street,” he said, “which would suit us down to the ground. You don’t mind the smell of strong tobacco, I hope?”
“I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,” I answered.
“That’s good enough. I generally have chemicals about, and occasionally do experiments. Would that annoy you?”
“By no means.”
“Let me see—what are my other shortcomings? I get in the dumps at times, and don’t open my mouth for days on end. You must not think I am sulky when I do that. Just let me alone, and I’ll soon be right. What have you to confess now? It’s just as well for two fellows to know the worst of one another before they begin to live together.”
I must admit that Part 2 got me wondering if the epub I’m reading is messed up. The narrative changes so drastically that I thought it must be a different book, but I continued reading with that unsure feeling until I came across Elder Stangerson’s name, which reassured me that I’m reading the same story. I’ve read mixed reviews online about Part 2, but I actually really enjoyed it. I can see why readers must have felt odd not having Holmes or Watson in the story until the last 2 episodes, but I felt that the backstory to Jefferson Hope’s revenge was crucial to engage my emotions.
When he was cuffed by Holmes, Jefferson Hope was a dangerous criminal in my mind, but now, at the end of part 2, I was happy for him, that he finally got his revenge after so long. I bet every reader could feel the satisfation of revenge as they read the details of Hope’s own narration of how he killed Drebber and Stangerson. This is Watson’s description at the end of Hope’s narration:
So thrilling had the man’s narrative been, and his manner was so impressive that we had sat silent and absorbed. Even the professional detectives, blasé as they were in every detail of crime, appeared to be keenly interested in the man’s story. When he finished we sat for some minutes in a stillness which was only broken by the scratching of Lestrade’s pencil as he gave the finishing touches to his shorthand account.
I was just as engrossed as Watson describes it. Overall, reading the book left me with great satisfaction and with a feeling wanting to read more of Doyle.
Words
I have more than 50 words saved from the book. Here are a few of my favorites:
| # | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | snarl | a vicious angry growl |
| 2 | despotism | dominance through threat of punishment and violence |
| 3 | smite | inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon |
| 4 | sardonically | in a sarcastic manner |
| 5 | gentile | a person who does not acknowledge your god |
| 6 | corroborate | establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts |
Read it on Kramena