BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Parade's End - film and novel

**Posted by SusiGo** March 14, 2014 7:35 am

We have many non-Brits here who may not understand all the cultural and historical allusions. And the books are famously challenging to read, after all Ford was a friend of James Joyce and used some of his writing techniques.

**Posted by tonnaree** March 14, 2014 11:45 am

Books? Is it one novel or a series? How many books are there?

I always prefer to read the books first too. I read and loved Atonement when it first came out. But that's one of the reasons I didn't go see the movie at the theater. The book just devestated me and I was scared the film would be worse!

.........................and, back to topic!

**Posted by SusiGo** March 14, 2014 11:52 am

Four books but the last one has not been included in the film. I recommend the e-book if you have a reader. There are quite a lot of obsolete words and military terms which I found in the dictionary.

**Posted by tonnaree** March 14, 2014 12:21 pm

*taking notes*

**Posted by miriel68** March 14, 2014 8:36 pm

I read the book after having seen the film, first in e-book format, but then I just had to buy a paper copy, because it is easier to go back to my favourite bits. I loved it, especially the first volume, which is an absolute masterpiece. The second and the third volumes are also good, but the fourth one is far worse and it was a right decision to leave it out for the adaptation, IMO.
In any case, knowing that B. fell for the book and for his character, to read the books and then go back to the film is an utter delight. And he does love it and brings it up all the time.

**Posted by Zatoichi** March 23, 2014 10:37 pm

I just watched the first episode - and decided I´ll have to read the books first. I can´t add subtitles and didn´t catch much of the dialogue.. wow, and I thought my English wasn´t so bad, being able to follow Sherlock´s deductions and all. But after reading this thread completely I´m sure it´s worth the effort..

**Posted by Wholocked** March 23, 2014 10:59 pm

Yeah they seem to mumble at lot, and Benedict is wearing things in his mouth to make him look fatter which unfortunately I think was a bad call. He already has to work around his lisp, working around those just made half his lines incomprehensible

**Posted by besleybean** March 24, 2014 6:33 am

Interesting, my parents never complained abiout this series.
They often struggle with poor innunciation.
There are just a few times in Sherlock i really do not hear what Benedict says(even if I know the line!)
The only time I've really noticed his lisp, is in HOUND, where I'm always certain he says 'M' instead of 'N'.