The Doings of Raffles Haw

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Although Arthur Conan Doyle is best remembered as one of the originators of the mystery and detective genre, his prodigious imagination was not limited to the case histories of super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes. The Doings of Raffles Haw is a fantasy novel that explores the nebulous origins of the fortune of a mysterious millionaire, delving into the shadowy scientific process that Raffles Haws has used to amass his extravagant wealth.

Genres: Classics, Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Victorian

ebook

First published January 1, 1919

About the author

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.

Reviews

[Jersy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected but not this.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over, Gatsby! There's a new "richest man in town!"

There comes a time when you read a book that just really catches your attention. I'm talking about a book that hooks you from the start and does not let go. This was definitely one of those books. I was completely hooked from page one, and could barely put it down! When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, and now that I'm finished, I'm deeply satisfied, but also a little sad that there's nothing more.

If you google this title, you'll find out the secret to how Raffles Haw's riches right away. But, the ebook listing I had didn't mention anything about it, so I went into this not knowing what sorts of secrets I might find. And I think that made the reveal a lot more fun. My advice? Don't google this. Just read it.

I liked that Conan Doyle wrote a book that was full of mystery, but also a good moral lesson, too. And while it wasn't perhaps the most subtle, it never felt forced, and I thought all-in-all, it worked very, very well.

I loved the science fiction elements (old science fiction is the best!) with all kinds of cool technology. Conan Doyle's imagination is boundless! I think my favorite part had to be exploring Haw's home, from the elevator to the drink dispensers, and even the ability to "teleport" to anywhere in the world via a crystal room.

This is one of my first "non-Sherlock" stories--first completed, anyway, as I'm still reading The Lost World--and I'm thrilled to see that his writing is still top-notch, whether he's writing about the world's greatest detective or the world's richest man.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raffles Haw, a man who wanted only to do good in the world. He was brilliant enough to learn a way to make a great deal of money, and wanted nothing more than to use that money to better things for those less fortunate.
So kind, so generous. So naive.
It seems that there are people who, instead of using their good fortune to further themselves, choose to sit back and hope for a second hand up. Haws discovers that his generosity has made those he helped lazy and entitled, rather than grateful.
Worse, it has caused those he trusted and loved to deceive him in ways that ultimately break his heart.
A sad tale.

[Emily]

Quick foray into Arthur Conan Doyle's work outside of Sherlock. Interesting, thought-provoking and a little eerie, all at once.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining relationship listening 🎶🔰

A man 🚹 makes a discovery leading to him having great riches. He has a conversation with his future brother in law which leads to greed. It all ends with his leaving. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers looking for something different in novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒😡🏰

[Teemu Öhman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short book about the problems that infinite wealth can cause. You know how it is going to end, but it's still interesting to see how the characters get there. I was positively surprised.

From a Finnish point of view it is fascinating to find out that one of the canal plans of Raffles Haw was from Oulu to Kem in Russia (Vienan Kemi). At the time it would have made a bit more sense than nowadays.

In short: If you like late 19th century science fiction, there's a good chance you'll like The Doings of Raffles Haw as well.

[Zvonimir · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is only natural my dear Watson. Being a parasite is all too natural, my dear fellow.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and was impressed by the departure from Conan Doyle's usual style. The story is difficult to classify as it had elements of science fiction in it (alchemy and machines that dispensed coffee or wine at the press of a button and floors that receded into a pit), as well as romance, mystery and a moral theme. It closely adheres to the Victorian style of literature which I loved and it seemed that in it, Conan Doyle was striving to get a deeper idea of the motivations of his characters than he tends to do in his mysteries and sci fi. The overarching moral theme indicated that to try to help the social order of things would only upset it and make things worse, and was an interesting spin making large scale good works seem doomed to some twist of corruption. The science fiction element added to it made it similar in style to Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - it was similarly short as well - 147 pages of larger print making it a quick read in a couple of hours. I would highly recommend it as a sample of Conan Doyle's versatility.

[Phil Clymer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another gem that has been overshadowed by Sherlock. It is a tale of a young scientist who discovers a key to great wealth, and how the wealth affects both the scientist and those around him.

[FamilySweesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wealth, Progressivism, and other “Do-gooderism”.

Wealth, Progressivism, and other “Do-gooderism”.
Every Progressive and Giver-away of un-earned money, should read this masterpiece by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And take to ‘heart’ its dire Warning of the human heart. The unintended consequences of Feel-Good doling of “Wealth” are inexorable & tragic. From “The Great Society” legislation to the Southern Border handing out of unearned Welfare are merely visible examples & truth.

[Midnightrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't able to get an audiobook from my regular venues for a day or two and found librivox with free books. Liking Doyle, I picked one I hadn't read and was surprised by Raffles Haw. There was mystery, but of a whole different sort. A fun and contemplative adventure.

[CC. Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raffles Haw is the new guy in town and the whole population is atwitter with gossip. When his home is overtaken by workmen and strange boxes are seen coming and going, it only adds to the intrigue. Robert and Laura are his nearest neighbors and are soon delighted to meet this eccentric new addition to the small English town.

When the brother and sister pair find out how filthy rich Haw is they swear to remain untouched by his wealth. That much money, though? What would you do?

This is an interesting short read (free on Kindle) about the the love of money and how that love can corrupt a soul. Those words ring true still today (this book would make an awesome reality TV show!). The is a story very much like something Jules Verne would write with some interesting tidbits about inventions and chemistry in the pursuit of gold and power. If you like Doyle and Victorian literature, it's a fun read.

Even though you know how it's all going to end. That much money? What would you do?

[Scott Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mysterious rich man, a desperate father, an ambitious daughter and the semi-detached and naive hero form the cast of this somewhat surprising Doyle piece. It has mystery, metallurgy and momentum. It is shorter than many of Doyle's other writings so it is a fairly quick read but certainly captures the attention of the reader. On some levels, the beginning makes you thin you are reading a Victorian romance before you realize that Doyle's sense of intrigue has been there all along.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about the effect wealth can have on people.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. As the afterword say, it "is a moral tale, a parable."

[Юля Буякова · Rating 3 out of 5]

Неплохое произведение о том, что делают легкие деньги с людьми.

[Pip · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short story about the inevitable draw of money.

[Carm9n · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here my impressions...
http://carmenyamigos.blogspot.com.es/...

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light read. Money corrupts people in different ways. What I found interesting was the thought of what would happen if gold suddenly became as common as corn.