Midnight on Memory Lane

{Sunday Midnight Book Club #1} A Study in Scarlet: Chapters 1-2

Hello, Internet, and good mornight to you all!

My name is Taffryne, shoppekeeper of Midnight on Memory Lane, and it is my absolute delight to welcome you to the first meeting of Sunday Midnight Book Club!

'Tis a pleasure, 'tis a pleasure.

As the title of this post says, we're going to be talking about the first two chapters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first-ever Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet. I humbly present my thoughts for your enjoyment and consideration. Accordingly, please mind that there will be spoilers ahead!

Disclaimer: All of the original Sherlock Holmes books were written by a well-off, white gentleman in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, there potentially will be relics of their time, be it terminology or depictions, at varying levels of offensiveness. I mean no disrespect to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, nor his legacy; I merely want to make it clear that they were wrong during his time, they are wrong now, and I am wholeheartedly in no way endorsing them on this blog. Everyone has different levels of acceptability, so please advise and feel no judgement if you'd rather not take the risk yourself this time around.

Pagebound Link: click here!

Introduction

The reason I picked the Sherlock Holmes Series to be the inaugural set of books for Sunday Midnight Book Club is because, while I consider myself a Sherlockian and have a deep fondness for the various Sherlockian stories I've seen (The BBC's Sherlock, Elementary, Robert Downey Jr's Sherlock Series, my beloved Wizard101's Marleybone Version...), I've never actually read the original works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I know, I know. It's incredibly sacrilegious...but, hey, that's why I'm fixing it now with you all! I also figured that while I'm still getting into the blogging space and curating our future schedules, it would be an easy long-haul series to go through since the stories aren't sequentially tied to a specific read order. Someone joining us at The Hound of the Baskervilles can enjoy the story just as much as someone who's been following since this first story, A Study in Scarlet.

The version I'm reading through is the Barnes & Noble hardcover of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. While you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...the cover of this edition is especially pretty with the various motifs and decorations. The inner-pages are printed in the famous iconography of their various cases (the snake, the pipe, the paw print, the pocket watch, etc). I'm also such a sucker for painted-edges, be it gilding or otherwise. This one in particular also includes an introduction written by the dedicated Sherlockians, Christopher and Barbara Roden. I'm of the belief that book introductions are a very hit-or-miss addition to any publication. I absolutely hold respect and tip my non-existent hat to the people who have taken the time to write book introductions and show their engagement, absolutely; but, sometimes the introductions just feel so unnecessary or unfortunately droning. I'm happy to report that this introduction felt so thoughtful in it's approach to Sir ACD's legacy and the humble beginnings of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. It actually taught me a great deal about their evolution into the fiction titans they've become today. I look forward to referencing it as we explore through the book series. However, I do have one question...what do you mean a 2008 survey found that 23% of participants believed Winston Churchill, I repeat, Winston Churchill, one more time for people in the back, WORLD WAR II PRIME MINISTER SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL WAS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER??? HE HAD ONLY BEEN DEAD 43 YEARS (relatively short for a historical figure) AND THAT WAS LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM FICTION TO NEARLY A QUARTER OF RESPONDENTS?!?! (seriously, they're not joking, read this)

I fear I might spiral into something if I keep dwelling on that fact, so I implore you to move on to talking about the book with me instead!

Chapter 1

Recollection

In their introduction, the Rodens make a point to emphasize how much Sir ACD thought of Sherlock and Watson as throwaway characters for a single story. Obviously nowadays, we know that they came to be far more than that. Coming from the modern day perspective, though, it is truly interesting how this first chapter possesses a sort of nonchalant air to it. Watson's bemusements about his war service and lack-of-residence take up more pages than his actual meet with Holmes which itself happens in a rather rapid-fire "get it out of the way" manner. That's not to say it's not interesting, far from it. Stamford's odd level of caginess towards describing Holmes I think strikes a really intriguing balance between "I know more but won't tell you for reasons" and "I actually don't know as much as it seems". Holmes being this inexplicable but describable figure with a quick tongue and peculiar interests is a great hook into turning the page. Yet, it's all still so quaintly written. I would assume this is just a side effect of me being the modern Sherlockian used to big music scores or more eccentric displays than what was normal in the late-1800s; something about "humble beginnings" and all would fit here, no?

Given that these books are from old Britain, I went in expecting to learn new vocabulary and already we're 2 points into that. Thanks to the revolutionary technology known as the internet, it's easy to find the meanings:

kith of "kith and kin" is Old English for "friends and acquaintances"; Maybe I'm going to start saying "kith and kin" from now on because the modern-day versions sound so drab comparatively, "friends and family", blegh.

the deuce is Old English for, basically, "what the hell?"; I don't plan on using this one. It just doesn't pack the same satisfying punch and also sounds like if someone KidzBop'd "what the fuck". I try not to make a habit of swearing too profusely, but this is certainly not a censor I'd ever turn for. Moving forward, I think I'll just mentally substitute in "bloody hell".

Chapter 2

Recollection

The most jarring thing in this chapter is how the original depiction of Sherlock Holmes doesn't paint him as the grand know-it-all that he'll come to be. I would have never imagined that Sir ACD's Sherlock Holmes would make such a comment as to proclaim that he bothers himself not with the positioning of the solar system. Watson's list of "nil" "feeble" "none" for a majority of subjects that the Holmes we know could hold a doctorate in is like a literary ice bath. I know that this gets retconned in the later works and we currently are shown his prowess for criminal justice and forensic sciences, but dang, does it still tilt my head. I'm glad that as the chapter goes on and Holmes starts revealing his consulting detective side to Watson that more of the Holmes personality comes through in his deductive prowess. I cannot wait to be absolutely engorged on the 1800s-style gentlemen's bickering of these two. To our dear Watson, you are merely at the start of a never-ending journey of being flabbergasted. Also, "singlestick" is a type of fencing: literally swordfights with long sticks.

This chapter had a couple of interesting quotes for me that I just wanted shine a spotlight on:

"...might have suspected him of being addicted to the use of some narcotic, had not the temperance and cleanliness of his whole life forbidden such a notion" (pg. 8)

If we are to take the current situation at face value where Sherlock Holmes is not addicted to drugs...you know, I can't even continue that train of thought because he so famously is addicted to drugs. I wonder just how long it'll be before that contradiction comes to light. Granted, some series change what drug or drug combination it is but...

"...slight compensation for the trial upon my patience..." (pg. 10)

This is purely just such a brilliant line. As someone who is impatiently patient, I am adding this one to my lexicon for sure.

"I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous..." (pg. 12)

Honey...you've got a big storm coming; "Famous" doesn't even begin to describe just how much your name will embed itself into the very fibers of humanity.

Thanks for Reading!

I hope you've been able to read and enjoy the story for yourself! If you haven't, that's okay too! My thoughts are here to keep you updated and entertained in the meantime.

This caps of this week's gathering of Sunday Midnight Book Club, so off into the nighttime we go in preparation for tomorrow! I hope you'll come back for when we discuss Chapters 3 and 4 or visit again for Manga Monday's feature of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Volume 1.

May we meet again when the clock strikes 12:00!