Scandal in Bohemia is my favorite, I think. I was very young when I first read Holmes, and I clearly remember The Speckled Band freaking me right the heck out. It still does.
Jayne: There's times I think you don't take me seriously. I think that ought to change. Mal: Do you think it's likely to?
'Our Mrs. Reynolds'
The Buffista Book Club: the Harry Potter iteration
This thread is a focused discussion group. Please see the first post below for the current topic and upcoming book discussions. While natter will inevitably happen, we encourage you to treat this like a virtual book club and try to keep your posts in that spirit.
By consensus, this thread is reopened specifically to discuss Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It will be closed again once that discussion has run its course.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Deena - Aug 26, 2005 1:14:06 pm PDT #1274 of 3301
How are you me? You need to stop that. Only I can be me. ~Kara
Amy - Sep 07, 2005 4:50:53 am PDT #1275 of 3301
Because books.
Are we starting today? Were you going to post some discussion questions, Ginger?
Wolfram - Sep 07, 2005 4:59:53 am PDT #1276 of 3301
Visilurking
I think today was the start date for "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Red-Headed League."
Lilty, if you're around, could you update the first post with the reading and discussion schedule from Press?
Ginger - Sep 07, 2005 5:10:25 am PDT #1277 of 3301
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
Yes, but I got caught up in work. Bad book leader. No biscuit.
Y'all just talk among yourselves. I'll get you something by tomorrow.
Here are some things you might want to think about:
What conventions of the modern detective novel or television show do you see introduced in these stories?
What role does Watson's narration play?
What aspects of the plots made you go "huh"? (Note: The first known scholarly paper about Sherlock Holmes was entitled "Some Inconsistencies of Sherlock Holmes.")
Amy - Sep 07, 2005 5:18:09 am PDT #1278 of 3301
Because books.
Thanks, Ginger. I think you deserve a biscuit anyway. A chocolate one!
Off to think. Back in a bit.
Wolfram - Sep 07, 2005 6:16:15 am PDT #1279 of 3301
Visilurking
Ginger, could you provide some background to these two stories, like a Previously or something. I get that Watson is married in the "Scandal" and isn't so in all the books.
What conventions of the modern detective novel or television show do you see introduced in these stories?
These are the first Holmes stories I've read that I can recall. It didn't take long for me to visualize Hugh Laurie as Holmes, because I think Dr. House is a pretty good incarnation of Holmes. He's dismissive, conceited, observes where others only see, and has rather odd hobbies that seem very much out of character (like watching soaps, or going to monster truck shows.)
I have to think more about the conventions I noticed in the two short stories, but two that come to mind are Holmes's mastery of disguise, and his disdain for the police. I will also consider your other two questions.
Hayden - Sep 07, 2005 6:20:09 am PDT #1280 of 3301
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
has rather odd hobbies that seem very much out of character
Or shooting cocaine.
Connie Neil - Sep 07, 2005 6:23:12 am PDT #1281 of 3301
brillig
and the violin playing
Dana - Sep 07, 2005 6:56:13 am PDT #1282 of 3301
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
I get that Watson is married in the "Scandal" and isn't so in all the books.
Watson meets his wife in "A Sign of Four", which I believe is the second Holmes story after "A Study in Scarlet." (I'm working off of memory here, since I haven't had a chance to reread the stories we're discussing. I adore "Scandal in Bohemia", though. What's not to love about Irene Adler?)
Connie Neil - Sep 07, 2005 6:59:55 am PDT #1283 of 3301
brillig
Watson is supposed to have been married at least twice, and Doyle today would be taken very much to task for his lack of continuity. Heck, he's practically the Chris Carter of his day.