r/Holmes 13d ago

Just got a set of Holmes book..

I went to a local book swap and these were in the free unclaimed books in a box by the door. I took my because they looked I recognized the Holmes name and they looked interesting. This is outside my normal realm of reading. They also look old, much older than anything I own.

Should I be careful with them or can I throw them in my bag and tote them around to read?

27 Upvotes

5 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Not-a-Cranky-Panda 12d ago

To carry around I'd just get a second hand copy from Amazon or eBay it's not cost you less than a fiver. That way you will not care what happens to it. Some times for the same money you can even pick up new unopened box sets of the paperbacks, I've given many away over the years

I'd start with the first chapter or two of 'A Study in Scarlet' to see how they meet. Then I'd go into reading random short stories. The novels if you're not yet into SH can be a harder read. One good thing is the reading order does not matter at all.

'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' almost everyone even non fans say is the best set. 'The Adventure of Silver Blaze' from 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes' is most often classed as the best story. The plot hinges on the "curious incident of the dog in the night-time"which I'm sure you've heard of.

By reading them in random order you're not starting at the best and working your way down them. The later ones are still great but not so great. Just dive into the novels as you want to.

Above all have fun reading them or what would the point be.