A Scandal in Bohemia – a Sherlock Holmes short story

A Scandal in Bohemia – by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle                                              A Sherlock Holmes short story

 

A Scandal in Bohemia is part of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collection. Although it is the third Sherlock Holmes story published, and the first short story – it is It is Holmes ninth case chronologically. Doyle ranked it as his fifth favorite Sherlock Holmes story.

I think that may have something to do with the introduction of Irene Adler – a recurring foil of Sherlock’s. It marks the first time Holmes is outwitted.

 (illustration by Sidney Paget)

Oh, he still solves the case, and his client, the King of Bohemia no less [pictured], is satisfied with the result, but Adler eludes Holmes. Holmes, considers himself a master of disguise – and indeed by most accounts is, but Adler – an actress by trade, is not fooled when Holmes engages with her incognito. She even manages to play him, which was particularly delightful, because later, Holmes smugly laughs at the foolish Adler when he recounts the interaction to Watson. In the end, Adler sends Holmes a playful letter, teasing him gently for his gullibility, and thus begins the complex and entertaining relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler.

I can see why Doyle liked it. It was quite fun.

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Classic Lit in Song - NOVA this Week

Observations from my weekly wanderings, usually in Northern Virginia (NOVA).

I don’t do a lot of “tags” or “memes” (not even exactly clear on the difference), I participate in a few challenges, hosted one (wasn’t a huge success), my site isn’t monetized, and I don’t do a lot of that stuff.

This blog is mostly just journaling my reading journey. But I do have a little thingy calling for your interaction today; I’m calling it a question.(Catchy huh? Gonna be the next big thing.)

Mostly for the Classics crowd – but everyone is welcome to join in.

What books do you know of that have been made the subject of song?

A few rules: (more what we’ll call guidelines than actual rules).

1. I’m thinking mostly novels, and mostly classic novels – but whatevs
2. Don’t google it – just songs that serendipity led you to
3. The song has to be at least a little bit true to the book. Best explained by example. A few years ago, a singer/songwriter who sang/wrote “you were Romeo, I was your scarlet letter” But the song is not about Shakespeare’s play, or Hawthorne’s novel. Don’t list that song. I will block you.
4. Not movie soundtracks – unless a song in the soundtrack sort of tells the story.
5. Comment below, and I’ll do a new post next week with the results.
6. Comments welcome, even if you don't have a song

I’ll start. And in accordance with the rules, there are only three that come to mind:

• Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
• Don Quixote by Gordon Lightfoot (I really love this one)
• White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane (based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Seems like there must be one by Al Stewart, but I can’t think of it.

Your turn – or did I take all the good ones?

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Counting Christmas - Guest Book Review by my Granddaughter Lydia

This is the first guest book review by my granddaughter Lydia, with some help from older sister Alathea and older Brother Andrew.

Lydia enjoyed Counting Christmas by Karen Katz for the colorful pictures and of course the Christmas Theme. She doesn’t remember her first Christmas, but she is aware of a certain nervous excitement in her brother and sister for the approaching season - and senses it is sort of a big deal. More importantly, she HAS heard the story of Baby Jesus, and she is excited to celebrate his birthday.

Lydia understands vaguely that the book is intended to teach children basic counting skills, but she finds that subject rather academic and of no use to her yet. Her sister Alathea, as you might surmise from the picture, likes to multi-task and was perusing another counting book, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean.

Alathea likes both these books, but like her Grandfather, she prefers the classics, and for counting books the Gold Standard is really My First Counting Book by Lillian Moore, illustrated by Garth Williams, but she won’t ask Grandpa to read that one, because he thinks it is the saddest book ever written.

And finally, Andrew wanted to poke his head in too, and remind everyone that this whole Grandchild Book Review trope started with his review of Because a Little Bug went Ka-CHOO!

But this is Lydia’s review, and she gives Counting Christmas 4 Stars (Alathea is incredulous).

Click HERE for more book reviews by my Grandsons and Granddaughters.

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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare

Hamlet by William Shakespeare 

What a piece of work is man ~ Hamlet

Hamlet, apart from Romeo and Juliet, is probably William Shakespeare’s best known play.  It is a tragedy, written very late 16^thor very early 17^thcentury, taking place in Denmark. It is also one of Shakespeare’s longest plays.

You probably know, that Shakespeare wrote: comedies and tragedies. Now comedies are not precisely what we may think of as comedies today – but goodness is Hamlet a tragedy.

There is almost nothing to feel good about at the end of this. The innocent die, the guilty die, the virtuous driven mad die, the sort of middlin die.

But it is, powerful. It is the story of the villainous king of Denmark – Hamlet’s uncle – who murders his brother, usurps the throne, and marries his brother’s wife.

Fortunately, the victim king, Hamlet’s father, returns in spirit form to charge Hamlet with vengeance. Hamlet of course complies, but well, it is pretty tragic.

          Hamlet – Now mother, what’s the matter

          Queen – Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

          Hamlet – Mother, you have my father much offended.

          Queen – Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.

          Hamlet – Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.

I’ve seen Hamlet, as Shakespeare is intended, portrayed as a play, so I was not in suspense as to the outcome, but still I was captivated from the beginning. It is not surprising this is one of Shakespeare’s best known plays. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Excerpts and Shakespearean phrases now part of English vernacular

Frailty, thy name is woman ~ Hamlet to his mother

I shall not look upon his like again ~ Hamlet regarding his father

Angels and ministers of grace defend us ~ Hamlet

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. ~ Marcellus

There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy ~ Hamlet

Though this be madness, yet there be method in’t ~ Polonius

What a piece of work is man ~ Hamlet

…the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape ~ Hamlet

…the play’s the thing – Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king ~ Hamlet

To be, or not to be, – that is the question ~ Hamlet

Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind ~ Ophelia

The lady protests too much, methinks. ~ The queen, Hamlet’s mother

The cat will mew, and dog will have his day ~ Hamlet

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The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens (novel #109)

…it is not on earth that Heaven’s justice ends.

Well Mr. Dickens – you surprised me. This being the seventh Dickens novel I’ve read, I considered myself quite the expert and was rather smug; I recognized this motif.

Sweet, innocent, pure-hearted child victimized by a cruel injustice or heart-breaking misfortune – only in this case it was both – visited upon two different youths: one suffering injustice the other misfortune – so much the better – the poetic justice in the end would be twice as satisfying. The only drama was how the Inimitable author would set everything right.

The Dickens’ trademarks were there: the villainous caricatures, the aptronyms, the kindly poor, the powerful benefactors, a touch of humor.

But then…it seems I have yet more to learn of Dickens

The old curiosity shop is the business establishment of the aged Mr. Trent, who lives there with his adored and angelic granddaughter Nell. In the employ of Mr. Trent is young Kit, the honest and dutiful son of a widowed mother. I’ll spare the spoilers but you might infer whom the two aforementioned innocent youths might be.

Besides the surprising plot twist that I did not anticipate, there was another surprise. Another character, young Mr. Richard Swiveller, was early thought to be quite a wastrel and a cad, but he turns out to be a shining knight.

I have to admit I was not entirely satisfied with Dickens’ ending. But, the tale was riveting, and I have to give the author high marks for unpredictability. At any rate, I took the ending better than Oscar Wilde did. Have you read The Old Curiosity Shop? What did you think?

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

This novel satisfies – Back to the Classics Challenge 2018 – Category: a 19^thCentury classic.

Other excerpts:

But Nature often enshrines gallant and noble hearts in weak bosoms…

Oh! It is hard to take to heart the lesson that such deaths will teach, but let no man reject it, for it is one that all must learn, and is a mighty universal Truth. When Death strikes down the innocent and young, for every fragile form from which he lets the panting spirit free, a hundred virtues rise, in shapes of mercy, charity, and love, to walk the world and bless it. Of every tear that sorrowing mortals shed on such green graves, some good is born, some gentler nature comes. In the Destroyer’s steps there spring up bright creations that defy his power, and his dark path becomes a way of light to Heaven.

…for your popular rumour, unlike the rolling stone of the proverb, is one which gathers a deal of moss in its wanderings up and down…

With failing strength and heightening resolution, there had sprung up a purified and altered mind; there had grown in her bosom blessed thoughts and hopes, which are the portion of few but the weak and drooping.

…it is not on earth that Heaven’s justice ends.

Such are the changes which a few years bring about, and so do things pass away, like a tale that is told!

And something I always enjoy finding – a reference to other classic literature: Nell Reads from Pilgrim’s Progress

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The Reigate Squires - a Sherlock Holmes short story

The Reigate Squires by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle                                                   A Sherlock Holmes short story

The Reigate Squires is part of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes collection. It is Holmes eighth case chronologically. Doyle ranked this as his twelfth favorite Sherlock Holmes adventure. Me? Not so much.

As usual, Holmes’ keen observation and powers of deduction solve the case, but it lacked something for me. There was little comic relief, which usually comes in the form of Holmes awkward social graces, collegial banter between Holmes and Watson, or Holmes’ contempt and subtle disparaging innuendos directed at the inspectors of Scotland Yard, particularly Inspector Lestrade. 

However, there were two elements I liked in this murder mystery. First, that Watson had taken Holmes to a country estate of an Army colleague, in order for Holmes to rest and recuperate after a strenuous case and illness. But of course, even on medical holiday Holmes is confronted with a mystery to solve. And although I liked this, it is perhaps also what disappointed me. I think there was great opportunity here for comic banter between Holmes and Watson, but there was almost none. 

Secondly, I liked that Holmes was much more professionally courteous with the country constable in charge of the case. I suppose Holmes didn’t feel he needed taking down quite so badly as the typical Scotland Yard inspectors. Whatever his reasons, I was glad to read Holmes treating the constable with respect. 

Other than that, just another case in the chronicles of Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes wrestling with the murderers…Dr. Watson to the rescue. Illustration by Sidney Paget

Please Understand Me II by David Keirsey

Please Understand Me II by David Keirsey

If you do not want what I want, please try not to tell me that my want is wrong. Or if my beliefs are different from yours, at least pause before you set out to correct them. Or if my emotion seems less or more intense than yours, given the same circumstances, try not to ask me to feel other than I do. Or if I act, or fail to act, in the manner of your design for action, please let me be. I do not, for the moment at least, ask you to understand me. That will only come when you are willing to give up trying to change me into a copy of you. ~ David Keirsey

Have you ever heard people talk about their MBTI type or their four-letter combinations like ESTJ or INFP? And then wonder what these mean?

American Psychologist David Keirsey puts all those four-letter combinations into laymen’s terms, and gives some practical advice on how to put this knowledge to good use – particularly in terms of inter-personal relationships. Please Understand Me II begins with a test which will identify the MBTI type of the respondent. (By the way, you don’t need to read the earlier version, Please Understand Me – in fact, there is no reason why you should. Please Understand Me II is not a continuation, but an updated and expanded version.)

Keirsey’s work builds primarily on the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as developed by Isabel Meyers and Katherine Briggs (daughter/mother), whose work in turn expanded on personality type theory developed by Carl Jung. I’m no expert on MBTI, but it is beyond theory, more accurately described as science, and probably the most widely accepted “science” of describing and categorizing personality types.

According to MBTI we all fall into one of sixteen personality types – which are represented by the four-letter combinations of: Extrovert or Introvert (I or E), iNtuitive or Sensing (N or S), Feeling or Thinking (F or T), and Judging or Perceiving (J or P).

Keirsey sort of steps back from the 16 types though, and groups them into four broader types or temperaments that he labels: Artisans or SPs (ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ISFP), Guardians or SJs (ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ), Idealists or NFs (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP), and Rationals or NTs (ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, INTP). (Note: Four temperaments have been posited by numerous scholars over the centuries, starting with Hippocrates’ personality types of: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic.)

But I’m getting more technical than I intended. 

If you really want to study MBTI, there are books that go into each of the 16 types in great detail (there are probably entire books devoted to each one). 

The value of Keirsey’s research is helping us to understand ourselves first, and then others, and most importantly, to understand that it is neither practical nor desirable to try to change others into versions of ourselves. 

That’s a gross oversimplification. I highly recommend the book. It offers insight in how each of the four temperaments best interacts with a spouse of each type, with children of each type, and in leadership roles, as well as the pitfalls in these relationships – such as the Pygmalion project or trying to turn these others into versions of ourselves. It just doesn’t work. There’s good news here too. There are no doomed pairings. Any type, can mate with, parent, or work with any other type. There are some pairings that are quite common and/or optimum, but none that have no chance. 

So let me wrap it up with something a little more fun. As I said, I’m INTP, which also means I am a Rational. Some excerpts from Please Understand me II about INTPs or Rationals that should – if you are a careful reader of this blog – sound exactly like the Once Lost Wanderer.

Rationals are usually exacting about definitions. Ever read me rant about quotation vs quote, about blogoversary, about personal canon? 

[Rationals] …enjoy playing with words, finding pleasure in puns and paradoxes.

NTs tending to qualify their statements with modifiers such as ‘likely’, ‘probably’, ‘usually’, ‘occasionally’, and ‘in some degree’.

[Rationals] not socially or politically correct

They’re problem solvers, one and all.

…eager to provide information…but not at all eager to tell others what to do.

Rationals regard social custom neither respectfully nor sentimentally, but, again, pragmatically

Rationals are easily the most self-critical of all the temperaments…

INTPs will retreat into the world of books and emerge only when physical needs become imperative.

Rationals generally have a well-developed sense of humor, although the amusing and humorous is usually subtle and, more often than not, based on a play on words. NTs especially enjoy humor which is ironical, or which contains an unexpected double meaning.

You get the idea. It’s a very informative and accessible book. I recommend it to anyone who has to interact with other humans.

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