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Young Sherlock Holmes
Sixteen-year-old detective Sherlock Holmes becomes caught up in a perilous search for a killer as he takes on his first case--a ritual murderer who strikes using poisonous blow darts
207 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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August 25, 2021Ova knjiga zanimljiva je pre svega kao primer toga šta može da se desi kad novelizaciju vrlo osrednjeg scenarija uzme da radi neko ko voli i ko smatra da vredi obaviti taj posao pošteno. Alan Arnold se potrudio da u što većoj meri reprodukuje stil Artura Konana Dojla, ali je istovremeno unosio (barem pretpostavljam da je on) neke savremene društvenokritične akcente, aluzije na konkretne Dojlove priče, uz par junačkih iako ne baš uspelih pokušaja da zakrpi najvidljivije logičke propuste scenarija (kriminalnoj obradi Šerlokovog lika ništa nije moglo da pomogne). Možda je najzabavnije što je uneo ničim izazvani poduži segment o istoriji Egipta koji je - za razliku od funkcije Egipta i egipatskih motiva u filmu - uglavnom veran istorijskim činjenicama.
Tom delu imam da zahvalim i za jedno mini-otkriće. Ne znam da li se i drugi čitaoci, kad vide da neka knjiga ima dvoje prevodilaca, pitaju šta je radio jedan a šta drugi, da li su delili knjigu na pola, ili par-nepar po poglavljima, ili šta su radili. E pa, Ljiljana i Miroslav Stanić su svoj posao podelili tako da se na strani 164. pojavljuje Mehmed Alija, ali se od 168. do 172. njegovo ime pretvara u Mohamed Ali, da bi već na 173. opet postao Mehmed Alija. I mada me takve stvari uglavnom strašno nerviraju, ovo mi je bilo nekako simpatično, prosto sam ih zamislila kako sede za dve pisaće mašine i dodaju jedno drugom knjigu na svakih sat vremena.
Tom delu imam da zahvalim i za jedno mini-otkriće. Ne znam da li se i drugi čitaoci, kad vide da neka knjiga ima dvoje prevodilaca, pitaju šta je radio jedan a šta drugi, da li su delili knjigu na pola, ili par-nepar po poglavljima, ili šta su radili. E pa, Ljiljana i Miroslav Stanić su svoj posao podelili tako da se na strani 164. pojavljuje Mehmed Alija, ali se od 168. do 172. njegovo ime pretvara u Mohamed Ali, da bi već na 173. opet postao Mehmed Alija. I mada me takve stvari uglavnom strašno nerviraju, ovo mi je bilo nekako simpatično, prosto sam ih zamislila kako sede za dve pisaće mašine i dodaju jedno drugom knjigu na svakih sat vremena.
October 24, 2024
i love the interactions between sherlock and watson so much. i’ve missed it and i think it’s captured perfectly in this novel
February 5, 2013
Overall, I really enjoyed this pulpy little novel. I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I picked up Hound of The Baskervilles from my school library when I was twelve. Since, I have read all four of the novels and most all of the short stories. With that in mind, Alan Arnold did a pretty good job of mimicking Watson’s narrative style. If anything he was perhaps only a little bit more wordy and effected than even Conan Doyle was. He even well-matched the typical plot layout of a longer Holmesian tale. Rather than India, Utah, or small American mining villages, this novel gives us a sensational little glimpse into Cairo in the early 1800’s. There is excitement, adventure, history, romance, tragedy, previously unspecified back-story, and the invention of flight!
There were also some pretty great occasions of fanservice/ trope play, but it sometimes feels like the author is writing and essay about past Holmes stories when he has Watson literally quote himself and cite which cases the quote came from.
The climactic scene at the end, and a couple that led up to it were very sensational, but lots of fun. Young Holmes was a little too quick to dismiss clues that were plain for the audience to see as being actually very telling pieces of evidence. Had this happened once, it could be overlooked, but it happens several times, so shame on the author for underappreciating Sherlock! The only other slight I must attach to this work is that he slips in quite a few…fat jokes. I was a bit astonished, Watson is not THAT fat man. It is a trait not regularly remarked upon in the original series, but here it is at least once a chapter. Watson always has at least one packet of sweets on his person and/or smears of food on his clothing. By the time I hit the middle of the book I would scoff at each of these little slights and skim for a bit. It took me out of the story significantly I would say. Other than that, the rating is elementary: three and a half stars.
There were also some pretty great occasions of fanservice/ trope play, but it sometimes feels like the author is writing and essay about past Holmes stories when he has Watson literally quote himself and cite which cases the quote came from.
The climactic scene at the end, and a couple that led up to it were very sensational, but lots of fun. Young Holmes was a little too quick to dismiss clues that were plain for the audience to see as being actually very telling pieces of evidence. Had this happened once, it could be overlooked, but it happens several times, so shame on the author for underappreciating Sherlock! The only other slight I must attach to this work is that he slips in quite a few…fat jokes. I was a bit astonished, Watson is not THAT fat man. It is a trait not regularly remarked upon in the original series, but here it is at least once a chapter. Watson always has at least one packet of sweets on his person and/or smears of food on his clothing. By the time I hit the middle of the book I would scoff at each of these little slights and skim for a bit. It took me out of the story significantly I would say. Other than that, the rating is elementary: three and a half stars.
August 23, 2015
I enjoyed reading this novelization of one of my favorite movies, "Young Sherlock Holmes". It gave a lot more backstory about the Egyptian time period that is only touched on briefly in the movie. It did get slightly long-winded in parts but overall it was a enjoyable, short read.
December 6, 2025
Given how much I adored the film and loathe tie-in novelizations, I more or less expected what I was in for before reading. This hits all the right and wrong notes typical of standard film novelizations, making your experience proportional to your tolerance of needlessly altered scenes, dialogue, and descriptions.
Holmes is still Nicholas Rowe, with no attempt to reinterpret the character's personality from the film. Watson, however, is blown far out of proportion from the Alan Cox depiction. Instead of a straightforward narration, this Watson brings in much of his present life in describing this past experience, which is admittedly the sort of mistake Holmes would complain about. The difference is that Watson goes off on unhelpful tangents as opposed to adhering to the point, and this feels like the actual author is showing off his pastiche. But the whole point of homages is that we should not notice anything. It should feel just like reading the McCoy. Characteristic of the Streisland effect, Mr. Arnold highlights the deficiencies of the book by trying too hard to gloss them over.
To be fair, however, this could easily be the result of the ultra-cinematic nature of the story. The film is highly visual and stylistic, whereas books of course focus on character development, setting the stage, and snappy dialogue. The movie has both of the above, whereas the novel can only work with the latter. Plus, Bruce Broughton's award-winning film score is over 70% of the battle where the film is concerned.
Perks include expansion on the backstory of Holmes's parents implied in the film, historical context of the Rame Tep, and Elizabeth is endowed with her own powers of deduction.
Unfortunately wrecked much of what I enjoy about the ending, including a forced alternative of the post credits reveal which accommodates Watson's 1st person POV but ruins the suspense (I can say no more about that, except for the fact that this film has claim to one of the first post-credits scenes).
Ultimately ineffective as a translation of the beloved adventure film, but worthwhile example of how not to write a Sherlock Holmes pastiche. Try "Return of the Pharaoh" by Nicholas Meyer. That one works.
Holmes is still Nicholas Rowe, with no attempt to reinterpret the character's personality from the film. Watson, however, is blown far out of proportion from the Alan Cox depiction. Instead of a straightforward narration, this Watson brings in much of his present life in describing this past experience, which is admittedly the sort of mistake Holmes would complain about. The difference is that Watson goes off on unhelpful tangents as opposed to adhering to the point, and this feels like the actual author is showing off his pastiche. But the whole point of homages is that we should not notice anything. It should feel just like reading the McCoy. Characteristic of the Streisland effect, Mr. Arnold highlights the deficiencies of the book by trying too hard to gloss them over.
To be fair, however, this could easily be the result of the ultra-cinematic nature of the story. The film is highly visual and stylistic, whereas books of course focus on character development, setting the stage, and snappy dialogue. The movie has both of the above, whereas the novel can only work with the latter. Plus, Bruce Broughton's award-winning film score is over 70% of the battle where the film is concerned.
Perks include expansion on the backstory of Holmes's parents implied in the film, historical context of the Rame Tep, and Elizabeth is endowed with her own powers of deduction.
Unfortunately wrecked much of what I enjoy about the ending, including a forced alternative of the post credits reveal which accommodates Watson's 1st person POV but ruins the suspense (I can say no more about that, except for the fact that this film has claim to one of the first post-credits scenes).
Ultimately ineffective as a translation of the beloved adventure film, but worthwhile example of how not to write a Sherlock Holmes pastiche. Try "Return of the Pharaoh" by Nicholas Meyer. That one works.
December 2, 2022
There is a discrepancy between the language used by the author and the action in this book. It's a story for teenagers, yet the vocabulary and the tone of the narrative sound as if for an elderly reader. It is better than the film, at least.
July 23, 2019
Really a 3.5 or 4 for the story, but "Watson" spends way too much time on history, side-bars, and the like. I put it down about half-way through, but did manage to finish it.
May 15, 2020
Apesar de ser um pouco cansativo por ser descritivo demais, foi um ótimo livro.
May 31, 2025
Good trip down Memory Lane!
October 6, 2012
Based on the movie, the book, I suppose, needs to stick to the film. Not having seen the movie, I can't say whether it does or not.
The story is told from Dr. Watson's point of view in first person. He's retired, and he is telling us how he met Sherlock Holmes and how Holmes came to be so great a sleuth.
Told in 19th century style, the novel tends to ramble. At the beginning we get into the first crime victim's head, which I surmise Watson must have guessed from his knowledge of the character. But before we meet Holmes, Watson takes us on a tour of his own life up until his retirement. As a result, I was confused when we finally returned to where he met Holmes at the university where they were both students. The story is interesting as Holmes and Watson seek to solve their first case, but at times the author interrupts the action with opinions and background, making it less than gripping.
We meet Sherlock Holmes first love, Elizabeth. We learn where Holmes gets his famous attire and his famous quips.
Not only do we get a good sense of England of that era, but we also get a good look at India, since the cause of the crime originated there.
Sherlock Holmes aficionados will enjoy the ride, even as we ramble along.
The story is told from Dr. Watson's point of view in first person. He's retired, and he is telling us how he met Sherlock Holmes and how Holmes came to be so great a sleuth.
Told in 19th century style, the novel tends to ramble. At the beginning we get into the first crime victim's head, which I surmise Watson must have guessed from his knowledge of the character. But before we meet Holmes, Watson takes us on a tour of his own life up until his retirement. As a result, I was confused when we finally returned to where he met Holmes at the university where they were both students. The story is interesting as Holmes and Watson seek to solve their first case, but at times the author interrupts the action with opinions and background, making it less than gripping.
We meet Sherlock Holmes first love, Elizabeth. We learn where Holmes gets his famous attire and his famous quips.
Not only do we get a good sense of England of that era, but we also get a good look at India, since the cause of the crime originated there.
Sherlock Holmes aficionados will enjoy the ride, even as we ramble along.
December 31, 2021
This was my first forey with Sherlock Holmes and I enjoyed it. Bring Holmes' eccentric behaviour out as a schoolboy that worked so well. I loved my story and how I couldn't guess the villains and identity until late in the book. I LOVE the inclusion of Egyptian history mixed with a great mystery.
However, I can't give it a five-star rating as there were moments it felt too slow. I was great but not perfect.
However, I can't give it a five-star rating as there were moments it felt too slow. I was great but not perfect.
January 6, 2015
Como curiosidad para los fans de la película, entre los que me incluyo, está muy bien. Además profundiza en algunos episodios de la historia que se pasaban muy por encima en la gran pantalla. Tiene su gracia. :)
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
February 10, 2013
One word = unremarkable
September 11, 2015
A Pastiche nevertheless. Not to be missed though.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews