Customer Reviews

O Jerusalem (Mary Russell)

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

When I first discovered that the latest adventure of Holmes and Russell wasn't in chronological order with Kings' previous novels in the series, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it. That thought didn't last long. Kings' latest is, in my opinion, her best. . She always writes well, but she out did herself with this latest edition to this very enjoyable series.

This is a story rich with history, imagery and wonderful characters you really care about. Set in the Holy Land, the historical references meld neatly with Holmes' and Russell's present. Ancient history and post-WWI history is anything but dull as King paints a picture both realistic and captivating.

Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell are, as always, strong characters, but the other central characters are well rounded and real as well. I came to care about them and hated to come to the end of this novel. I hope that we'll meet up with Ali and Mahmoud, the odd detecting duos reluctant cohorts, again soon.

If you're uncertain about whether or not to buy this novel, don't be. Buy it now and feel the heat of the ancient desert between your toes. :o)

I had the luxury of reading this book second, where it naturally fits timewise in the series, and I could not find the lack of plot and cold narration that other readers noticed. In fact, to me, this book is as good or BETTER than Beekeeper's Apprentice, simply due to the very details that some said would better fit in a travel guide. The way to snare a reader is to make them feel they are really there. I could almost feel the sand between my teeth and smell the smoke from the campfires. I'm sorry, but I love that kind of detail. Why read if all you want is taut dialogue? Might as well listen to the radio or something . . . Give me the descriptions anytime. All in all, I have found King to be a lovely read, and all too often, I find that I have over-stayed my time on lunch breaks because I've detoured through the Holy Land with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

I have read most of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books, and was excited to see this one in paperback, but found it a less enjoyable read than her previous books (especially Beekeeper's Apprentice). It's tone and plot were a bit of a departure from the usual, which might be related to the "exotic" setting and, as another reviewer said, it's not really that much of a mystery. I felt like the book was loaded down with a lot of action that made it less interesting to me, because it was hard to figure out what the story was going towards, and hard to figure out what exactly was going on. One of the things I did find interesting was the beginnings of the romance between Holmes & Russell. I would say this book was well-written and evocative, but if you are looking for a page-turning mystery, this is not the book for you.

Laurie King has written a number of these books now, with the main character a young girl who shows Sherlock Holmes how a woman can be just as effective as a man in a whole list of different ways. This is of course a very modern idea, and it's doubtful that the real Sherlock Holmes, written by the real Conan Doyle, would have espoused this view, but we give her the benefit of the doubt because the premise is fun.

Here, though, the premise isn't that fun. For mysterious reasons (apparently regarding the end of The Beekeeper's Apprentice, which I don't remember very well) Holmes and his young friend Mary Russell are thrown ashore in Palestine ca. 1919, courtesy of Sherlock Holmes' brother Mycroft. They immediately hook up with a couple of mysterious local Arabs, who guide them about the country aimlessly, after making clear how useless they think Holmes and Russell are. It takes several hundred pages before things actually get going.

The difficulty is that this really isn't a detective novel: instead, it's a spy novel, and a slow-moving one at that. It's 300 pages or so before the plot actually takes shape and we know what Holmes and Russell are looking for. It's slow and not very suspenseful, and it takes so long to get going that by the time it does, we don't care what's going on. I have to confess that while some of the characters were interesting, the plot was so moribund that I wasn't that impressed. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone other than Holmes fanatics.

It's true that Laurie King has never quite equaled The Beekeeper's Apprentice, but I don't really hold that against her. How could she equal that original book of the series? What's is important is that she's consistently entertaining, and that she is, even if she hasn't quite equaled her greatest moment. I have enjoyed every Mary Russell novel. Each novel has its constant joys, particularly the magnificent (particularly for genre literature) characterizations of Holmes and Russell. Under King's pen, Holmes becomes more human. With the development of the relationship between him and Russell, Holmes becomes much more than a rational machine. There's some actual character growth here. Of course, Mary Russell is quite the character as well. Laurie King also has the ability to throw in large plot twists that drive the Sherlock Holmes mystery to new places. In O Jerusalem, it is setting of the story in the post-World War I Middle East that makes this original. The clash of cultures, ample dose of history, the harsh living conditions all add to the adventure. In particular, O Jerusalem is made strong by the introduction of two characters, Mahmoud and Ali, who are compelling in their own ways. My one problem with the novel is that there is an enormous buildup and a somewhat weaker ending than is expected. Overall though, it is still an excellent read. The historical setting and the strong characters keep this series strong.

After reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice, I was expecting more of a mystery. I would classify this book as an adventure story rather than a mystery novel. While entertaining in its own way, this book lacks the essential problem solving element. I would have liked to see Holmes and Russell doing more sleuthing. Another thing, one reason I liked the first one so much was the interaction between the two main characters. In this one, I was disappointed by the flat relationship between Russell and Holmes in the first half of the novel. I still reccommend it, but those expecting a deeper mystery might be unsatisfied.

Laurie King has swiftly become one of my favorite authors -- the sort who make you grab any book with their name on the cover, without even reading what it's "about." She's an extremely powerful writer who puts you into the middle of the story/world she's writing about, and your "real life" goes away.

If you've found your way to this page, it's likely that you've read at least one of the books in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. If not, I strongly urge you to start with the first book, the Beekeeper's Apprentice. This story takes place chronologically in the middle of that book (with an arm wave to "after our adventures in Palestine" in the first novel), and I believe you really do need to have that foundation to get the most out of O Jerusalem. You don't, however, need to have read the other books in the series; in fact, I've found myself wondering if I'd have liked this one even better if I'd read it second.

What King does very well, here, is present a mystery story against a backdrop of history which most of us (including me) know only vaguely. During the action of O Jerusalem, the British have recently gotten control over the area, and we see the tensions and cultural clashes between Arab, Jew, Turk, British, and anybody else passing through. By the end, and without the pain of a history lesson, I'd learned a lot more about early 20th century problems and gotten a clue about how they affect us today.

Other reviewers have criticized King for creating a pre-feminist Mary Russell who magically raises the consciousness of the Arab men around her. P'shaw. She is drawn to be an exceptional woman (otherwise she'd never have attracted Sherlock Holmes' attention), and I find it completely believeable that a logical and caring person can earn the respect of other people from another culture.

This is a book that I dove into, and didn't emerge until I'd turned the last page. Only a few days later I went to the bookstore and picked up the next one in the series. Yeah, I like this book. I like it a lot. If you like your historical mystery to teach you history while it also entertains, it'll be high on your list as well.

I have been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since I was in grade school, and I feel very comfortable with King's insightful handling of the Holmes character. I have read all the Mary Russell series and look forward to each of the new ones that are published. In O Jersusalem, I was not sure why King had backtracked to an earlier time in Mary's and Holmes' relationship. However, after reading the book, I was very pleased because she added more depth to Mary's character and kept Holmes' character true to the Conan Doyle model. The Palestinean history that she weaves into the story adds great authenticity to the read. I especially enjoyed watching Mary's character (liberated as she is)deal with the midEastern culture and their treatment of women. King does a great job making her characters realistic. The book is well worth the readers time.( I have friends who are not Holmes fans who love the stories.)

Laurie R. King's fifth book in her Mary Russell series continues the saga she began with "The Beekeeper's Apprentice". My personal feelings for this book, this series, and this author are of best report.

King's writings are not for the juvinile reader. She often uses words that are at times archaic, and the complexity of her sentances do require a certain level of concentration. This is not a book to be read while watching television or rooting for your daughter's softball game. This is a book for curling up by the fireplace with a solid hour-- and an hour is a conservative estimate. This is truly one of the books that you may lose track of time with. It is enveloping and intoxicating.

I do not recommend starting with this book if you are new to King's works. In order to understand her characters and writing style, I suggest you start with either the first Russell novel "The Beekeepers Apprentice", or her non-Russell "A Darker Place". It doesn't truly matter where you start, for with either beginning, you will always end in the same place - by the fireplace with a stack of all of King's books.

Actually, I don't think it's likely that I'll ever forget this book. Some fans have commented that they felt the pace was too slow, but I disagree. Everything in this book, including the pacing, language, and especially vivid descriptions and sensory impressions, serves to further transport the reader to the exotic and awe-inspiring historic location. I actually expected to be in the Holy Land when I looked up from my reading (what a disappointment to find only snowy and frozen East Lansing, instead)! In addition, Ali and Mahmoud are welcome new characters, about whom I would like to learn much more, and the technique of setting the story in past events adds many dimensions to the events and novels which follow it chronologically. I see many things in a different light, with this back story added, and it also explains a good deal about how, exactly, Holmes and Russell developed their understanding of, love for, and mutual dependence on one another. Fascinating, beautiful, and as always, well worth my time. It will be worth yours, as well.