InspectorCaracal wrote: ↑Wed 10 May, 2023, 11:16 pmOkay, Friday it is!Bee wrote: ↑Wed 10 May, 2023, 11:10 pmThursday evening at the earliestInspectorCaracal wrote: ↑Wed 10 May, 2023, 9:56 pmIf we're reading it before the weekend, do I still need to wait for the weekend to post about it? >.> <.<
I'm imagining Holmes petunantly complaining about having to be sociable and do things like dress for dinner and Watson patiently shooting down one excuse after another because by GOLLY he is going to make Holmes take a vacation, come Hell or high water!!A little diplomacy was needed, but when Holmes understood that the establishment was a bachelor one, and that he would be allowed the fullest freedom, he fell in with my plans
Contradictory smash cuts are my favorite, so it's kinda disappointing this one is so weak.“... I will be with you again in half an hour.”
An hour and half had elapsed before the Inspector returned alone.
I'm especially fond of the entire next section after that, because it's such a great example of Holmes using everything to his advantage in order to obtain what he needs to solve a case, even at his own - or more importantly, his closest friend's - expense. All of Watson's deeply felt and completely misplaced sympathies and concerns are especially poignant. (It reminds me of the Dying Detective - but we'll get there.)“Excellent!” cried Holmes, clapping the Inspector on the back. “You’ve seen the postman. It is a pleasure to work with you.”
And instead of feeling betrayed when Holmes reveals it was all fake, he's just impressed by how convincing it was!Watson, I think our quiet rest in the country has been a distinct success
.InspectorCaracal wrote: ↑Sat 13 May, 2023, 3:02 amAlso when he knocks over the table, the way Watson is like, why did you just... but I didn't... okay, there must be a reason, I'll play along - he's so TRUSTING. Watson is the best friend.And instead of feeling betrayed when Holmes reveals it was all fake, he's just impressed by how convincing it was!
Yeah!! I love this one a lot!
Watson is so good, I love himBee wrote: ↑Sat 13 May, 2023, 6:34 pm.InspectorCaracal wrote: ↑Sat 13 May, 2023, 3:02 amAlso when he knocks over the table, the way Watson is like, why did you just... but I didn't... okay, there must be a reason, I'll play along - he's so TRUSTING. Watson is the best friend.
Yessssss
ACD did not deserve Holmes omgInspectorCaracal wrote: ↑Sat 20 May, 2023, 12:45 amThe start of this one feels again like it was intended for earlier and then shelved or scrapped for parts, what with the way Holmes shows up and does the whole analysis thing at Watson without any lead-in. It's so abrupt and hamfisted, compared to some other instances of it, you know? Like, would've been so much stronger if they'd had an exchange where Watson tries to ask Holmes what brings him about on a visit since it's so out of character, Holmes waving it off, and then pulling the deduction in with the bit about the busy day.
(I'd probably have dismissed it as maybe Doyle was just pressed for time, but we're getting close to the end of the Memoirs here, which means we're getting on to where Doyle tried to kill Holmes off so he could be done, which makes it all the more plausible he was just digging up old drafts rather than writing new ones.)
I'm amazed that for once we had a flashback that wasn't a complete bore to read. >.> TBH this too feels like it would have made a great novel in the hands of someone who didn't absolutely suck at writing novels, lolFor some reason I always remember not really liking this one very much? but I actually do. It's not my favorite, by far, but the narrative unfolding the mystery is fun - I really like the part where he analyzes the animal footprints on the curtain in particular. (Miss Morrison is an excellent character, too, I like her, if only she had more than a bit part.)
I guess... the reason I vaguely recall not liking it every time might be because it's another one of those stories that basically comes to nothing. Like, Holmes walking through his analysis and observations and reasoning is great? but then it's like. okay. what's the point.
I'm not gonna lie, I used to get really mad at the whole "death of the author" approach to literary analysis because I thought it was self-important BS, but digging deep into Holmes canon the past few years has me thinking that maybe there's something to the idea after all,,,
*stage whisper* It's because it was short.
Lol yeah normally there would have been at least one long sequence about his captivity and he would've meet somebody who later somehow helped him go back to England etcInspectorCaracal wrote: ↑Sat 20 May, 2023, 10:27 pmI'm not gonna lie, I used to get really mad at the whole "death of the author" approach to literary analysis because I thought it was self-important BS, but digging deep into Holmes canon the past few years has me thinking that maybe there's something to the idea after all,,,
*stage whisper* It's because it was short.
I'd mostly rather you focused on your actual original projects but if that helps you overall I would not be opposed?I bet I could make a whole thing out of novelizations of Holmes short stories if I had, like, an ounce more dedication. It's kinda tempting.