Litsy

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#hislastbow

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle I had to look up when this first published, as it seemed to foreshadow WWII and the horrors that came with it. It‘s too early for that, though there is dissent in Russia at this time, which we know eventually leads to the deaths of the royal family in 1918. Perhaps Conan Doyle saw the current Russian turmoil as an issue that would result in worldwide issues (it does). 4d

Cuilin I did not care for “A cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared”- ugh it‘s giving “the end justifies the means” and maga. Yuck!! 4d

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement
I agree that there was a bit too much nationalism at the end by Holmes. His statement kind of reinforces the British Empire idea, and UGH indeed! ⬇️

(edited) 4d

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement
A couple parts, though, did make me a bit 🥹. First, when Holmes tells Watson “Stand with me here upon the terrace, for it may be the last quiet talk that we shall ever have.” EVER have? Why? And for being his trusty Boswell, Holmes states “Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age.“

What a testament to their enduring friendship. (edited) 4d

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dabbe

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#hislastbow

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle This was first published in 1917, so about a year away from WWI‘s end. I see it as a propaganda tool to show that the allies are better than the Germans, more cunning and quick witted. By this point, the Americans have joined the fight, and with the extra manpower, there‘s a turn in who‘s “winning” the war. It‘s like a taunt—you think you‘re so good, but you‘ll never beat us. 4d

eeclayton At first I wanted to say that he just couldn't help himself. But actually, there are several stories which show that he doesn't much care about who takes credit as long as he can figure out the mystery. So I'm unsure why it's important to him here that his identity be known. 4d

Cuilin I agree that this is more likely to be a propaganda tool as no card carrying spy writer, would give away the identity of the hero to the enemy at the end. This was published in 1917 around the time when the public were losing faith and feeling angry about the war, “lions led by donkeys”. 4d

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CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin I appreciate your thoughts, and enjoy this BR so much. I have nothing to add. 4d

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement The story was published near the end of WWI, but it takes place on the eve of the start of the war. To me, Holmes seems quite a bit foolish to throw his name out there on the brink of the impending war. He put himself and possible others (like his bro Mycroft) in serious danger by doing that. ⬇️ (edited) 4d

dabbe On the other hand, maybe this brash move of bravado was just what the Brits needed at the end of the war when they would be the most tired and losing faith--like what Cuilin said. And I think you're right, @Librarybelle about it being a propaganda tool, but also I think Holmes couldn't help himself, @eeclayton, like you said. It's his first mission as a spy, and he's been out of the detective loop for a while. Perhaps some pride got in his way. (edited) 4d

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dabbe

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#hislastbow

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle I‘d say it‘s not Watson, but other than Conan Doyle himself, I‘m not sure of anyone else from the canon who would write this. 4d

Cuilin If it is Watson, he‘s trying to distance himself, it sounds more like Sherlock‘s tone. This is really where I want know your opinion Denise. Perhaps it‘s Mycroft. He is an intelligence analyst for the British government. 🤨 4d

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement You nailed it, Cuilin! I thought the only other person it could be would be Mycroft for the reason you stated. It could be Sherlock, too, but I can't see him stepping back and observing; I think he'd be wanting to tell his own tale in 1st person. But here's a kicker: NONE of them were present when von Bork and von Herling were speaking at the beginning. ⬇️ (edited) 4d

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dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement
How would they know the exact conversation and what took place? I just can't see von Bork telling all the details with explicit dialogue to any of them. So, whoever narrated it perhaps imagined and filled in the missing dialogue based on whatever von Bork told the British intellligence. It's kind of fun playing the game as if they were real! 🤣 (edited) 4d

Read4life Mycroft was my thought. I like your points and comments, @dabbe 3d

dabbe @Read4life He made perfect sense given his profession, right? 3d

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dabbe

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#hislastbow

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle I think that‘s why it confused me, as it was not from Watson‘s perspective. It also doesn‘t seem like Watson wrote this, even with choosing the third-person voice. It just seemed like a tack on story to me that didn‘t fit the pattern. 4d

Cuilin If I am playing The Game, maybe a good question would be why would this story be included at all? Spies are not known for making their secrets public. So it also begs a further question of, was it leaked and by whom? Moriarty is mentioned in the narrative ….. 4d

CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle @Cuilin Yeah, I got nothin‘. 🤷‍♀️ 4d

dabbe @Librarybelle @Cuilin @eeclayton @CogsOfEncouragement ... it'll be interesting to see what we think when we read “The Mazarin Stone“ because that is also told from the 3rd-person POV. Playing the game, perhaps Watson was not so personal because he was not the spy--Holmes was. He only appears at the end to help nab the criminal. Because he was not present, maybe he felt more comfortable standing back as the observer only. (edited) 4d

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dabbe

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin
#hislastbow

Thoughts, Sherlockians?

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

Librarybelle I was a little confused at the start, then realized that Holmes was the “American” and then wondered why Conan Doyle wanted to write a story of an aged Holmes on one last quest, and not in the voice of Watson. So, not a favorite of mine. I suppose this was a good story for its anti-German and Russian sentiment at the time of its publication. But still, just so-so for me. 4d

eeclayton Just like @Librarybelle , I was confused in the beginning, and it's not a favourite of mine, either. We see Holmes in disguise, but other than that, not much detective work. A very “meh“ experience for me personally. 4d

Cuilin I was certainly intrigued. @eeclayton agreed not much detective work in the story, it‘s all in the backstory. 4d

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CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle @eeclayton @cuilin Agreed. I did figure the devoted older woman was actually devoted to spying on our villain. 4d

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement. Agree 💯! It's amazing to me that we had SEVEN chapters on the background of Birdy Edwards and what he was up to in THE VALLEY OF FEAR, but we barely get a paragraph explaining Holmes's career for two years as a spy. We just get the climatic moment of capture. Doyle went too far in both, I think: too much and then way too little. Not really a mystery here at all--more of a spy story. 4d

Read4life I agree @dabbe. Plus, I know it‘s not a Holmes story for me when I‘m already forgetting it the next day. 3d

dabbe @Read4life 🎯🩵🎯 3d

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LitsyEvents

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

Repost for @dabbe @Cuilin

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes #HisLastBow

Sherlockians~
Fun discussion yesterday! And now only 13 stories to go! 🤩
Next up: “His Last Bow.“ Discussion will be this coming Saturday, 4/26, two weeks from now (due to Easter weekend) and will be led by @dabbe.
Link to summary/analysis on original post.

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2856338

dabbe TY! 🤩 2w

33 likes1 comment

dabbe

His Last Bow | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin @LitsyEvents
#HisLastBow

Sherlockians~
Fun discussion yesterday! And now only 13 stories to go! 🤩
Next up: “His Last Bow.“ Discussion will be this coming Saturday, 4/26, two weeks from now (due to Easter weekend) and will be led by @dabbe.
Link to summary/analysis (spoiler alert): https://drive.google.com/file/d/17d_Tf7Wx2Jkx8SZ_rC0MRvQQz8rcGr3N/view?usp=shari...

Have a lovely week. ⬇️

Daisey, erzascarletbookgasm, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Aimeesue, Larkken, Librarybelle, mom2bugnbee, Chrissyreadit, Read4life, StayCurious, CatLass007, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, eeclayton, dabbe, IndoorDame, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, 5feet.of.fury, Tineke, Fr3NcHtOaSt, Blackink_WhitePaper, RayHallucinogen, Pageturner1, PageShifter, AnnR, kimrenee, aroyse, CrystalE02

dabbe P.S. THE CASE-BOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (our last anthology) is available at libraries, plus online for free! https://ignisart.com/camdenhouse/canon/9-case.htm 2w

Librarybelle Thank you, and thanks for the link for Case Book! 2w

dabbe @Librarybelle YW! 😍 2w

Cuilin 👍 2w

dabbe @Cuilin 😍 2w

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