tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post3852107047789391581..comments2024-03-16T09:14:48.561-07:00Comments on The Rap Sheet: The Adventure of the Three SuffragettesJ. Kingston Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17073921191624535912noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post-36160389575880099142010-12-09T12:15:56.266-08:002010-12-09T12:15:56.266-08:00Since I have also read The Sherlockian, I'll p...Since I have also read <i>The Sherlockian</i>, I'll put in my two cents on this subject.<br /><br />I thought the strongest parts of the book were those featuring Arthur Conan Doyle and his stand-in for Dr. Watson, Bram Stoker. They were a fun pair, and Conan Doyle especially made a fine protagonist.<br /><br />But the parallel modern story, in which a long-missing diary is pursued, was much more predictable and less enchanting. And it ended with too many things being wrapped up far too neatly. Life doesn't offer such efficient closure, and neither must fiction. I would have preferred to see more ambiguity in the book's ending. And maybe it should have focused exclusively on Conan Doyle, and abandoned the modern story altogether.<br /><br />On the topic of Conan Doyle's writing excellence, let me say that I think he was a far better plotter and creator of characters than he was a writer. That doesn't detract from his contributions to the genre, which are considerable and to be honored at every opportunity.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />JeffJ. Kingston Piercehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17073921191624535912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post-9681602620204341382010-12-09T06:04:38.592-08:002010-12-09T06:04:38.592-08:00Glad to read this review as I was giving it seriou...Glad to read this review as I was giving it serious consideration for my Christmas list. I think, instead, that I'll ask for some L. King books and get The Sherlockian from the local library (or, better yet, an audio version to help pass away commuter time).<br /><br />As far as Doyle himself, I'll admit that I've not read the last three collections. I've only read the Adventures, the Memoirs, and all novels, only two of which I actually enjoyed. And, when you read the Adv. and Mem. in order, you can see how ACD was basically excited in the beginning and slowly tapered away as the stories wore on, with Silver Blaze being the last unique tale in these twentysomething stories. Perhaps ACD "wrote them in his sleep" so that he could focus on more serious fiction, the, uh, bulk of which no one remembers.Scott D. Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293540073601809197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post-76412713054099344732010-12-08T19:38:53.094-08:002010-12-08T19:38:53.094-08:00Yes, Joizy, but the point of the book (and of my r...Yes, Joizy, but the point of the book (and of my review) was to show the affect Holmes' creation (never recorded in his diaries, as far as I know) had on the only decent character he ever invented. Why did he hate him so much? Holmes had made him one of the richest writers in the world!<br /><br />Let's face it: Doyle was no Dickens, no Wilkie Collins. Like Christie, he had a small talent for plotting -- and like her was a snob of the first water.dick adlerhttp://forgetalzymer.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post-16198062398283688322010-12-08T17:04:41.537-08:002010-12-08T17:04:41.537-08:00To call Doyle a second-rank writer is absurd. He c...To call Doyle a second-rank writer is absurd. He created one of the most beloved characters of all time.Jersey Jackhttp://www.jackgetze.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post-2604257464210368352010-12-08T14:06:37.454-08:002010-12-08T14:06:37.454-08:00I agree with the review. I read the Sherlockian a...I agree with the review. I read the Sherlockian and was disappointed. Laurie King and Julian Barnes are much, much better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16749171.post-68241898580517712022010-12-08T13:56:10.484-08:002010-12-08T13:56:10.484-08:00Wonderful review. Many movies have depicted Holme...Wonderful review. Many movies have depicted Holmes as a drunk,drug addict etc. so I think you're not far off the mark in your analysis.<br /><br />I tweeted this review to my following.<br /><br />http://www.ManOfLaBook.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com