The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

The Complete Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge (His Last Bow)

Availability His Last Bow: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2350

Background Information

"The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" is one of the fifty-six Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle. One of eight stories in the volume His Last Bow, it is a lengthy, two-part story consisting of "The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles" and "The Tiger of San Pedro", which on original publication in The Strand bore the collective title of "A Reminiscence of Mr. Sherlock Holmes".

Publication History

"The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" was first published in the US in Collier's on August 15, 1908, and in the UK in The Strand Magazine in September–October 1908. In the Strand, the story was published in two parts: "The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles" and "The Tiger of San Pedro". The story was published with six illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele in Collier's, and with ten illustrations by Arthur Twidle in the Strand. It was included in the short story collection His Last Bow, which was published in the UK and the US in October 1917.



A Short Summary



"The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge," a Sherlock Holmes short story, is a compelling mystery where Holmes and Watson investigate the disappearance of a wealthy Spanish businessman and his servants from a luxurious lodge, uncovering a web of secrets and a dangerous political plot.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge (His Last Bow)
Discussion Questions

1) How do Holmes and Watson’s definition and use of the word “grotesque” impact the story from a reader’s perspective? How would you define the word “grotesque?” Do you agree with their definition What do you think was Holmes’ reasoning for insisting that “No woman would ever send a reply-paid telegram. She would have come?”

2) How do you think Garcia’s “perfect English” lends to Mr. Eccles’ impression of him?

3) As Holmes points out, Mr. Eccles was chosen by Garcia to be an honest witness based on his outward appearance and presentation. What parts of Mr. Eccles interaction with Holmes, Watson, and Baynes make it clear that Mr. Eccles is regarded as a reliable source despite the preposterousness of his story?

I don't know if Holmes's meaning to grotesque is supported by definitions, but certainly the Holmes stories in general are often more than a little grotesque.

Definitely one of the more interesting things here was the way Mr. Eccles was used for his irreproachable Victorian Englishness, and that way Garcia upends expectations repeatedly, seeming first educated and almost English-adjacent, later more of a grotesque criminal type, finally a man of honour and valour.

I liked the governess's testimony. The bit with the idol felt very tacked on though, in a sensationalist way.

My thoughts veered towards the gruesome rather than the grotesque. The Tiger of San Pedro was indeed an evil villain both ruthless and caring little for the lives of others.

Although I can’t believe that he wouldn’t have murdered Signora Durando, the twisting of her arm was enough to describe his vicious and despicably depraved nature.

The bravery of the ‘governess’ in pursuing her husband’s killer despite his notoriety was commendable and praise must be given to Conan Doyle for including this element in the story.

Overall a good story, once again improved by being somewhat longer with more detail than some of the others.

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