Baker Street Irregulars discussion

I thought it a little weird that there was so little discussion centered around the canon. So I thought I'd take the liberty of getting some started.

Some people may hate me for this but I think that "The Sign of Four" could be one of the most romantic novels ever written.

I Love it when Mary opens the chest and on finding it empty Watson exclaims, "Thank God."

And then Mary - after hearing why he offers devine thanks- she replies, "Then I thank God too."

Thoughts and Comments anyone?

its funny that you say that because i remember when i read that part it made me smile at Watson. Hes such a caring friend to Holmes and an all around good person. It made me happy to see him in love because i felt like that was a relationship that he needed. And when that scene showed up and the box was empty and he said THANK GOD i laughed out loud at the forcefulness of his emotions popping out without control. And then it made me love Mary for her sweet little response to him. It was great to watch the master detective do his work and at the same time see our favorite Dr fall in love. :)

Cathrine wrote: "I thought it a little weird that there was so little discussion centered around the canon. So I thought I'd take the liberty of getting some started.


Haha, I know! I'm a bad mod. Don't hesitate to start some discussions! I love seeing that someone has posted something, and I get a little self conscious when I see all the posts started by me.

I don't actually like The Sign of Four that much. I've only read it once, though, and I think if I read it a second time my opinion might change. I don't generally like romance though!

I can see why you wouldn't like it very much. Not really a very strong deduction angle to it. Most of the mystery is solved through a tracking dog,(you have to love Toby though) neighborhood canvasing and a high speed boat chase. Not exactly what we expect from Holmes.

I thought it was nice that the killers reminiscence didn't take up as much room as it did in "Scarlet."

I thought it was pretty romantic and funny too! I would feel the same way as Watson. If the chest did have all that money I don't know if I could tell someone I loved them. I would not want them to think I was greedy! haha

Just finished this, the 3rd Holmes novel I have read and my least favourite so far, but still enjoyed most of it!

I actually like the long explanations that the 'baddies' have in Study in Scarlet, and could have taken more of it in this one (although that was one long chapter, could have broken it up for us a bit!)

The romance didn't do much for me, didn't feel a great deal of affinity for her, but was pleased for Watson I guess.

One thing that I appreciate in SIGN is that you get a full range of Holmes' character. The deductive display involving the watch has more depth than the usual tours de force because it strikes home with Watson. You see the physical agility when Holmes scrambles around the roof and down the water pipe and then tracks the creosote for miles. You see the dismissive attitude toward women expressed in one of the most remarkable statements when Holmes mentions the most winning woman he had ever met (and the most repellent man), Holmes' easy rapport with children ("I'd like two shillin' better") and many of Holmes signature maxims are stated throughout. You also are introduced to the only one of Watson's wives who makes a personal appearance in the Canon, to the Irregulars and to a very singular pair of culprits. That's a lot to accomplish in one short novel.
Oh - and one of my dogs is named Toby.
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I have to admit I watched the movie first (J. Brett) and read the book afterwards ... Shouldn't have done so, because - as usual - I couldn't help but think of the actors in their respective roles. I found both Thaddeus Sholto and Tonga to be quite appalling (in the movie), that's why I hesitated to read the book.
Glad I brought myself to do it, because it was a good read, after all. I think I liked it better than A Study in Scarlet or The Valley of Fear, although the first part of the 'Study' shows Doyle at his best - a writer of genius in (almost) every respect. I just don't understand why he has to recur to the subject of secret societies. It simply doesn't grab me. Besides, I prefer his short stories to his novels. Luckily, there is a wealth of stories that I haven't read yet ... :)