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missbryden's review against another edition
3.0
This collection works on the assumption of the reality of Holmes and Watson. “The reader of these volumes will not find reference to the literary sources of the stories or to biographical incidents in the life of Sir Arthur that may be reflected in the canon”. Such details, I think, would be helpful or make sense perhaps of inconsistencies, but work under the assumption of reality, apparently.
Chronology section (in Vol I and III but not II, and I had to return the other volumes while I still had II) is helpful but a little confusing, because it includes expert fan hypotheses which I don't know whether they can be confirmed in Canon, like family members' names and pre-case histories. Annotations include these kind of speculations and reference to the many works trying to explain inconsistencies or connections. But they also include the usual helpful references to things that were of the times, like objects, places, historical people or events. And the inclusion of a variety of story illustrations and pictures of the times and places is great, too.
I don't think you'd want to read this edition for a first read as they reference later stories within earlier ones, plus it's big and bulky. I read most of the stories for the first time via audio.
As the stories go on, perhaps especially from The Return, the annotations seem to poke lots of holes in the “master’s” (meaning Sherlock Holmes) stories, especially it seemed in “The Bruce-Partington Plans” (from The last Bow), and yet in its intro it's said to be “regarded as one of the finest mystery stories in the annals of detection”.
I am perhaps unreasonably annoyed by the editor’s use of the word “role” with a symbol over the “o”. I understand that the word might be from another language which uses symbols over letters, but is it's use in a book published in 2005 a little pretentious? Maybe it's a UK/US difference but I don't believe I’ve ever seen it like that before this trio of books.
And an exchange in French between Arthur Conan Doyle and a French general on the front lines in 1916, shared in a footnote to “His Last Bow”, is not translated. Yet whenever Holmes, in the stories, spouts a line of French or other language, it’s translated.
Short stories Vol.1 finished 6/20. Just reading the annotations (having previously read all the stories) takes some time.
Last volume started 6/27 and finished 7/14.
Chronology section (in Vol I and III but not II, and I had to return the other volumes while I still had II) is helpful but a little confusing, because it includes expert fan hypotheses which I don't know whether they can be confirmed in Canon, like family members' names and pre-case histories. Annotations include these kind of speculations and reference to the many works trying to explain inconsistencies or connections. But they also include the usual helpful references to things that were of the times, like objects, places, historical people or events. And the inclusion of a variety of story illustrations and pictures of the times and places is great, too.
I don't think you'd want to read this edition for a first read as they reference later stories within earlier ones, plus it's big and bulky. I read most of the stories for the first time via audio.
As the stories go on, perhaps especially from The Return, the annotations seem to poke lots of holes in the “master’s” (meaning Sherlock Holmes) stories, especially it seemed in “The Bruce-Partington Plans” (from The last Bow), and yet in its intro it's said to be “regarded as one of the finest mystery stories in the annals of detection”.
I am perhaps unreasonably annoyed by the editor’s use of the word “role” with a symbol over the “o”. I understand that the word might be from another language which uses symbols over letters, but is it's use in a book published in 2005 a little pretentious? Maybe it's a UK/US difference but I don't believe I’ve ever seen it like that before this trio of books.
And an exchange in French between Arthur Conan Doyle and a French general on the front lines in 1916, shared in a footnote to “His Last Bow”, is not translated. Yet whenever Holmes, in the stories, spouts a line of French or other language, it’s translated.
Short stories Vol.1 finished 6/20. Just reading the annotations (having previously read all the stories) takes some time.
Last volume started 6/27 and finished 7/14.
alexrobinsonsupergenius's review against another edition
5.0
If you've never read the Sherlock Holmes canon this is NOT the place to start. You're better off going with a more portable, straightforward edition without all the notes. But if you're a hardcore fan this is an awesome book. You'll be amazed at the attention to detail and the contortions the editors go to make some sort of continuity ouf of Conan Doyle's stories.
mike_brough's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic presentation of favourite stories. I was perhaps looking for a bit more depth to the annotations as there's too much explanation of things which are obvious to UK inhabitants. I was hoping for a bit of cross-referencing of stories, theories etc.
Still, I'll read this edition again and again. Now to save up for volume 3 - the novels.
Still, I'll read this edition again and again. Now to save up for volume 3 - the novels.
crowyhead's review against another edition
5.0
This is THE definative set for fans of Sherlock Holmes. There's loads of great footnotes here, detailing aspects of Victorian culture and discussing the links between the stories. It doesn't take itself overly seriously, though -- there's some amusing stuff about possible errors in the manuscript, discontinuities (for example, Watson's wandering war wound), and unlikely but interesting possible connections between the characters. The whole thing's also liberally illustrated, with Sidney Paget's illustrations of course, but also with illustrations from various other magazines and newspapers that serialized the stories. I just can't recommend this enough.
2000ace's review against another edition
5.0
I broke down and bought all three volumes in this series after reading what other Goodreads reviewers had to say about them. It is going to be awhile before I finish the three, because each story contains some of the most interesting and useful footnotes ever appended to a piece of literature, along with illustrations not just from The Strand magazine, but from other sources as well. They also showcase various locations around London where the story takes place, along with drawings of other characters.
As if that is not enough, John Le Carre wrote the introduction, which introduces to the reader to the idea that Holmes and Watson are referred in the notes throughout as real persons. Instead of coming across as a ridiculous fancy, this makes sense. Truly, Holmes and Watson were Conan Doyle's contemporaries in every sense of the word.
These books will be the joy of any Sherlockian bibliophile. They are thoughtfully laid out with care so that the massive amount of supporting information beautifully supplements the stories. It is possible to read the stories without being distracted by the footnotes, which are printed in a soft red in the left-hand column of each two column page, so that the eye moves sideways easily from the footnote number to the note itself. The typeface is pleasing, and the paper upon which the pages are printed is of very high quality and soothing to the touch. These are books which will be passed down and cherished for generations to come.
As if that is not enough, John Le Carre wrote the introduction, which introduces to the reader to the idea that Holmes and Watson are referred in the notes throughout as real persons. Instead of coming across as a ridiculous fancy, this makes sense. Truly, Holmes and Watson were Conan Doyle's contemporaries in every sense of the word.
These books will be the joy of any Sherlockian bibliophile. They are thoughtfully laid out with care so that the massive amount of supporting information beautifully supplements the stories. It is possible to read the stories without being distracted by the footnotes, which are printed in a soft red in the left-hand column of each two column page, so that the eye moves sideways easily from the footnote number to the note itself. The typeface is pleasing, and the paper upon which the pages are printed is of very high quality and soothing to the touch. These are books which will be passed down and cherished for generations to come.
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