By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
THE SHORT
Sherlock Holmes returns in this fantastic novel, where a treasure is stolen, a brutal death occurs, and a wild chase down the river Thames culminates in yet another death...The Sign of Four is an amazing novel, because of this, because Conan Doyle manages to craft another excellent plot. Sherlock Holmes displays his prowess, managing to find the missing Aurora, and successfully sorting out all the details of the case. One downfall, however, of this book is that Conan Doyle reveals almost all of the mystery in the middle, and the remaining half until the chase isn't so exciting as it should have been, what with the waiting, and time-dragging, until finally we are relieved by the invigorating writing of Conan Doyle's river chase. Despite this, however, The Sign of Four is the book that launched Conan Doyle's career, and for good reason, because it was superb.
THE REVIEW
Let's start with this novel's most interesting character, Sherlock Holmes. While it may be that this case is not so puzzling for the great detective as the one in A Study in Scarlet, he still manages to show his analytical skills and Watson's (and our) amazement at his abilities only increases the magnificence of his existence. Holmes certainly shows a bit of his feelings for Watson, though it is very subtle, coming in Chapter 10: The End of the Islander, where he warns Watson to be careful of the poison-dart-shooting Tonga. He shows his characteristic derision of Scotland Yard, and his impatience when the Aurora is nowhere to be found. His deductive abilities are all the more prominent as Conan Doyle hones his writing to make sure that it suits the detective. As a result, Holmes is more fleshed out in this novel than he was in A Study in Scarlet, and we can really relate to him, if not, then admire him.
Watson, once again, is our clueless representative, who follows Holmes along. Conan Doyle certainly had a creative mind, that allowed him to spawn this man, who would allow us to understand Holmes's reasoning as clearly as day. If there hadn't been a Watson, we would never have been able to see the leaps Holmes's mind took. Yet in this book Watson takes a larger part, falling in love with a woman he had barely met, and marrying her in the space of a few days? Sounds familiar to those strangers who marry one another, am I right? Conan Doyle perhaps couldn't have enough time for the romance to be kindled, what with the juggling act of the mystery, so maybe the romance sounds a bit unbelievable.
As all Holmes's novels are only as interesting as their villains, let's take a look at Jonathan Small, the wooden-legged man from the Andamans. At first, he may seem like a cold-hearted villain, but Conan Doyle didn't have the stomach for that, so he neuters Small the same way George Lucas did with Vader: Backstory. And Conan Doyle does it better than Lucas, too, the backstory being extremely interesting, as the reader eagerly awaits the conclusion of Small's adventures. In a small space, Conan Doyle crafts a small micro-story in this novel.
Let's start with this novel's most interesting character, Sherlock Holmes. While it may be that this case is not so puzzling for the great detective as the one in A Study in Scarlet, he still manages to show his analytical skills and Watson's (and our) amazement at his abilities only increases the magnificence of his existence. Holmes certainly shows a bit of his feelings for Watson, though it is very subtle, coming in Chapter 10: The End of the Islander, where he warns Watson to be careful of the poison-dart-shooting Tonga. He shows his characteristic derision of Scotland Yard, and his impatience when the Aurora is nowhere to be found. His deductive abilities are all the more prominent as Conan Doyle hones his writing to make sure that it suits the detective. As a result, Holmes is more fleshed out in this novel than he was in A Study in Scarlet, and we can really relate to him, if not, then admire him.
Watson, once again, is our clueless representative, who follows Holmes along. Conan Doyle certainly had a creative mind, that allowed him to spawn this man, who would allow us to understand Holmes's reasoning as clearly as day. If there hadn't been a Watson, we would never have been able to see the leaps Holmes's mind took. Yet in this book Watson takes a larger part, falling in love with a woman he had barely met, and marrying her in the space of a few days? Sounds familiar to those strangers who marry one another, am I right? Conan Doyle perhaps couldn't have enough time for the romance to be kindled, what with the juggling act of the mystery, so maybe the romance sounds a bit unbelievable.
As all Holmes's novels are only as interesting as their villains, let's take a look at Jonathan Small, the wooden-legged man from the Andamans. At first, he may seem like a cold-hearted villain, but Conan Doyle didn't have the stomach for that, so he neuters Small the same way George Lucas did with Vader: Backstory. And Conan Doyle does it better than Lucas, too, the backstory being extremely interesting, as the reader eagerly awaits the conclusion of Small's adventures. In a small space, Conan Doyle crafts a small micro-story in this novel.
As all Holmes's novels are only as interesting as their villains, let's take a look at Jonathan Small, the wooden-legged man from the Andamans. At first, he may seem like a cold-hearted villain, but Conan Doyle didn't have the stomach for that, so he neuters Small the same way George Lucas did with Vader: Backstory. And Conan Doyle does it better than Lucas, too, the backstory being extremely interesting, as the reader eagerly awaits the conclusion of Small's adventures. In a small space, Conan Doyle crafts a small micro-story in this novel.
But then again, maybe the villain in this story isn't Small at all, perhaps it's the poison-dart-blowing Tonga, who uses his lethal blowpipe to shoot even more lethal poison darts at people, doing the killing in this book. First off, he kills Bartholomew Sholto, the person who discovered the treasure, and the horrifying description of his face is enough to send chills down reader's back, even if they weren't there at all. The excellent description of the atmosphere, spine-tingling night at Pondicherry Lodge, is just evidence of Conan Doyle's masterful writing.
The plot keeps readers going forward. After a slow start, where Holmes shows his deductive capability, after the arrival of Mary, things really start ramping up, where Thaddeus tells the story of the treasure, the discovery of the dead Bartholomew, and the following of the criminals to the wharf of the river Thames. Then, (Conan Doyle seems to have been sleeping through this part) they wait for news, and wait, and wait, and then wait some more!!! Finally, (Conan Doyle awakes) they start the chase down the Thames for a thrilling ending.
While there may be the boring bits, let's explore the mystery first. Holmes (or at least Watson) is puzzled by the warning 'The sign of the four', and the death of Bartholomew complicates matters even further. However, Conan Doyle might have shown his hand far too early, as Holmes reveals to Watson what Small has done, and what mystery is left is blown away, and the rest of the novel is action. Perhaps Conan Doyle had run out of ideas to prolong this mystery, but the mystery certainly is tense at the beginning.
The plot is a masterpiece (well, except for the watered down middle part). The mystery, action sequence, all combine to define Sherlock Holmes as the definitive Victorian age detective. Conan Doyle knows his readers well, and delivers excellent examples of Holmes's skills, while also serving up the mystery. The treasure, while it may seem that it is disappointing to readers that it is not found in the end, at least has an interesting story behind it, which seems to modern day readers an escape into the fantasy world of long long ago, where India was being attacked. Conan Doyle's masterful story telling brings this book together, and the result is amazing.
However, the plot also has its downfalls, what with the boring middle part as they wait for news of the Aurora, but this is made up for by the chase. Again, the mystery is solved almost halfway through, and Conan Doyle couldn't think of a better way to track the criminals than by having Tonga unluckily dip his foot in creosote. I mean, we want to see Holmes use his brain!
All in all, while The Sign of Four may not live up to the expectations we got after A Study in Scarlet, it certainly is a delightful little book that will keep you satisfied.
Rating: 8.9/10
Advice: Perfect for those who love Action/Mystery stories.
Of course, I enjoyed this book, and I hope you did too! When Holmes is in town, you don't want to commit crimes! What book would you like me to review next? Leave a comment below!
Next week: Greek gods abound in this mythical story where demigods and mortals coexist in New York, but what happens when the gods are angry? Find out if Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief lives up to its hype when I review it in my next post!
But then again, maybe the villain in this story isn't Small at all, perhaps it's the poison-dart-blowing Tonga, who uses his lethal blowpipe to shoot even more lethal poison darts at people, doing the killing in this book. First off, he kills Bartholomew Sholto, the person who discovered the treasure, and the horrifying description of his face is enough to send chills down reader's back, even if they weren't there at all. The excellent description of the atmosphere, spine-tingling night at Pondicherry Lodge, is just evidence of Conan Doyle's masterful writing.
The plot keeps readers going forward. After a slow start, where Holmes shows his deductive capability, after the arrival of Mary, things really start ramping up, where Thaddeus tells the story of the treasure, the discovery of the dead Bartholomew, and the following of the criminals to the wharf of the river Thames. Then, (Conan Doyle seems to have been sleeping through this part) they wait for news, and wait, and wait, and then wait some more!!! Finally, (Conan Doyle awakes) they start the chase down the Thames for a thrilling ending.
While there may be the boring bits, let's explore the mystery first. Holmes (or at least Watson) is puzzled by the warning 'The sign of the four', and the death of Bartholomew complicates matters even further. However, Conan Doyle might have shown his hand far too early, as Holmes reveals to Watson what Small has done, and what mystery is left is blown away, and the rest of the novel is action. Perhaps Conan Doyle had run out of ideas to prolong this mystery, but the mystery certainly is tense at the beginning.
The plot is a masterpiece (well, except for the watered down middle part). The mystery, action sequence, all combine to define Sherlock Holmes as the definitive Victorian age detective. Conan Doyle knows his readers well, and delivers excellent examples of Holmes's skills, while also serving up the mystery. The treasure, while it may seem that it is disappointing to readers that it is not found in the end, at least has an interesting story behind it, which seems to modern day readers an escape into the fantasy world of long long ago, where India was being attacked. Conan Doyle's masterful story telling brings this book together, and the result is amazing.
However, the plot also has its downfalls, what with the boring middle part as they wait for news of the Aurora, but this is made up for by the chase. Again, the mystery is solved almost halfway through, and Conan Doyle couldn't think of a better way to track the criminals than by having Tonga unluckily dip his foot in creosote. I mean, we want to see Holmes use his brain!
All in all, while The Sign of Four may not live up to the expectations we got after A Study in Scarlet, it certainly is a delightful little book that will keep you satisfied.
Rating: 8.9/10
Advice: Perfect for those who love Action/Mystery stories.
Of course, I enjoyed this book, and I hope you did too! When Holmes is in town, you don't want to commit crimes! What book would you like me to review next? Leave a comment below!
Next week: Greek gods abound in this mythical story where demigods and mortals coexist in New York, but what happens when the gods are angry? Find out if Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief lives up to its hype when I review it in my next post!
The plot keeps readers going forward. After a slow start, where Holmes shows his deductive capability, after the arrival of Mary, things really start ramping up, where Thaddeus tells the story of the treasure, the discovery of the dead Bartholomew, and the following of the criminals to the wharf of the river Thames. Then, (Conan Doyle seems to have been sleeping through this part) they wait for news, and wait, and wait, and then wait some more!!! Finally, (Conan Doyle awakes) they start the chase down the Thames for a thrilling ending.
While there may be the boring bits, let's explore the mystery first. Holmes (or at least Watson) is puzzled by the warning 'The sign of the four', and the death of Bartholomew complicates matters even further. However, Conan Doyle might have shown his hand far too early, as Holmes reveals to Watson what Small has done, and what mystery is left is blown away, and the rest of the novel is action. Perhaps Conan Doyle had run out of ideas to prolong this mystery, but the mystery certainly is tense at the beginning.
The plot is a masterpiece (well, except for the watered down middle part). The mystery, action sequence, all combine to define Sherlock Holmes as the definitive Victorian age detective. Conan Doyle knows his readers well, and delivers excellent examples of Holmes's skills, while also serving up the mystery. The treasure, while it may seem that it is disappointing to readers that it is not found in the end, at least has an interesting story behind it, which seems to modern day readers an escape into the fantasy world of long long ago, where India was being attacked. Conan Doyle's masterful story telling brings this book together, and the result is amazing.
However, the plot also has its downfalls, what with the boring middle part as they wait for news of the Aurora, but this is made up for by the chase. Again, the mystery is solved almost halfway through, and Conan Doyle couldn't think of a better way to track the criminals than by having Tonga unluckily dip his foot in creosote. I mean, we want to see Holmes use his brain!
All in all, while The Sign of Four may not live up to the expectations we got after A Study in Scarlet, it certainly is a delightful little book that will keep you satisfied.
Rating: 8.9/10
Advice: Perfect for those who love Action/Mystery stories.
Of course, I enjoyed this book, and I hope you did too! When Holmes is in town, you don't want to commit crimes! What book would you like me to review next? Leave a comment below!
Next week: Greek gods abound in this mythical story where demigods and mortals coexist in New York, but what happens when the gods are angry? Find out if Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief lives up to its hype when I review it in my next post!
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