A Case of Identity: Cold, Vicious and inhumane for someone living in books

Story starts with a mild and interesting discussion between Watson and Sherlock about the capabilities of an imaginative mind.

Going forward we meet Ms Sutherland, a beautiful and cute lady having troubles to find her husband, lost, the day of marriage.

Events were not simple as they were likely looking. Some deeply personal relations had crossed the boundaries of what our normal society entertains, and the sheer greed had taken over all the humane characteristics from the belongings. Events were highly unlikely in what we had previously anticipated, but our beloved Sherlock took no time to solve it all. Just one letter, and we are face to face with scoundrel.

short stories look small.

in the previous two readings of Conan Doyle, that are A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of four. I think, I felt more connected to the story line. I was deeply engrossed into his craft. But upon reading the short stories. It looks somewhat artificial and  could not have taken place in real world. I know it is based on non true events but even the Sherlockian world, which deeply resembles to our own. It felt weird. It looked like it cant be true, but that was not the case when I had read the two novels, and one more 3 part story A scandal in Belgravia. I think it was because in novels, we were getting more time with the characters to connect and understand their behaviors, psychologies, obsessions and motives. And that time was reduced in short stories being short story. Hence this feeling must had arisen.

One more thing that I noticed.

Conan paints a really vivid and descriptive picture of surroundings. Even though  we can not really see the faces of the characters into the story but we can really look into them. Like look at the description of Ms Sunderland in words of Watson.

“Well, she had a slate-colored, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sewn upon it,and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dress was brown, rather darker than coffee color, with little purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were grayish and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn’t observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar,comfortable, easy-going way.”

or her soon going to be husband, Hosmer Angel.

“Missing,” it said, “on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in.in height; strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the center, bushy, black side-whiskers and mustache; tinted glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert chain,and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over elastic-sided boots.Known to have been employed in an office in Leaden hall Street"

Even though it is part of an advertisement in the context of story. But that it really an excellent amount of attention to detail. Who on earth wears Grey Harris Tweed Trousers. But these books were written in 1890s who knows what they wore those times.

Good Bye