Sherlock Holmes - A Study in Scarlet

Sherlock Holmes - A Study in Scarlet

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

He knew what he was writing... 

Read ages ago in a children's book as a story of love, retribution, loyalty and of course Sherlock Holmes, I had not read this complete and unabridged version of it till yesterday (Definitely gonna read them all now!). This story, this book, begins the journey of a Sherlock Holmes different from any of the TV versions I have seen. The old TV series Sherlock, portrayed by Sir Jeremy Brett, is shown as an exact, cold and factual man. Robert Downey Jr. portrays him as a sarcastic genius! Benedict Cumberbatch depicts him as, and to quote him, “A High-functioning Sociopath”. But, only the books have the Sherlock Holmes that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wanted to give the world.

This is the first book Sir Doyle wrote for Sherlock Holmes. The story is set in the 1800s London, and recounts Dr. John Watson’s memoirs of his and Holmes' first crime solved together. Sir Doyle seems to have a very peculiar kind of writing style. Though typically British, asks a level of intelligence from the reader to fully grasp all the things that are said and done by the characters. He uses a very subtle stroke of words to convey heaps of information. The beginning is familiar to us with Dr. Watson, on returning from Afghanistan and many hardships past, comes to London seeking lodgings. A chance meeting with an old colleague, Stamford, introduces him to Sherlock Holmes. On advisement from Stamford, Dr. Watson agrees to share suite at 221B Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes as a means to study this extraordinary specimen of a Human. This marks the beginning of a long journey through the years of companionship, crime-solving and, of course, deductions. 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle portrays Sherlock as a man with a child’s curiosity, now equipped with the strength and intelligence of Adulthood. He is a man whose actions have the sole purpose of gaining information. So, for this, he is utmost selective of the information he puts in his brain, lest the space run out… This along with years of training in fighting techniques, study of various faculties of science and sharp analytical thinking, give him powers of observation unseen in real life. Using these tools, he sets out as a consulting detective to put criminals and murderers behind bars. He searches for the truth. He wants to bring crime out of the shadows, and into the light so, all those responsible can be brought to justice. This Sherlock is not overtly anti-social, nor is he self-destructive as many would assume, rather, he is compassionate, genius and a logician, who uses scientific enquiry and various fact based reasoning to extract out the truth from any situation.

Dr. John Watson provides quite a contrast to Sherlock Holmes’ personality. He is a simple army surgeon devastated by war, looking for peaceful living. In London, he begins a new life with Sherlock Holmes. He wishes to share the marvellous adventures of Sherlock Holmes with the rest of the world, and in his quest to understand his companion, Dr. Watson would need to use all the tools he has in possession, as he initially does to root out Holmes' profession. He may fall short to the genius of Sherlock Holmes, but, his curiosity and medical expertise shortly become invaluable to Holmes. Dr. Watson, here, seems to be motivated in studying the Human condition and the various aspects and features of the Human psyche, and, his intention to pen & publish the adventures of Sherlock Holmes is surely an exercise in that direction.    

Spanning two continents, this story is not just about the beginnings of Holmes and Watson. Much more, this story is a caricature satire on society, education, the human psyche, loyalties, love, religion and vengeance. A rising religion saves a pair of lives from the unending deserts of the Americas and sets in motion a story spanning decades, ending in the living room of 221B Baker Street. This is the story of unique and horrifying murders in London, the motive behind which is layered in passion, love, grief, vengeance and justice. Holmes and Watson pair up for the first time to witness this heartrending tale and solve the baffling murders.

P.S. - This Sherlock Holmes seems to me to be closer to the Sherlock Holmes in the book “A Slight Trick of the Mind” by Mitch Cullin and portrayed on screen by Sir Ian McKellen…

Don’t forget to comment below! Let me know your favourite part(s) of the story…