The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia

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Title :
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia
Author :
Sir  Arthur Conan Doyle
Main Characters :
Sherlock Holmes, Dr.Watson, Irene Adler, The King of Bohemia and Godfrey Norton
Description of one of the main characters : Sherlock Holmes observes very keenly and finds out even the slightest clue. He is cold and precise. He has a balanced mind. Sherlock Holmes would make a fine actor or a very good reasoner in science. But he is deeply attracted by the study of crime. He lives in Baker Street. He solves mysteries which has been abandoned as hopeless by the police.
Whom I like and Why : I like Irene Adler as she is smart, quick and intelligent. She notices Sherlock Holmes watch her taking the photo out of the sliding shutter. She does not mean to create any problem with the photograph but she wants to keep herself safe with the help of the photograph.
Setting/Theme of the story : The King of Bohemia comes to Sherlock Holmes with a problem. When the king was a young prince, he had made an acquaintance with a girl named Irene Adler. There was a photograph of them together. Now the King is thirty and going to marry. Irene Adler threatens to send the photograph on the day of the King’s betrothal. The King wants the photograph back. Sherlock Holmes probes and finds out that the King had tried and failed to take the photograph back even after ransacking Irene Adler’s house and waylaying her. Sherlock Holmes makes a plan and finally finds out where the photograph is hidden in Irene Adler’s house. But when he goes next morning to take the photograph away from Irene Adler, he finds her house empty. Irene Adler had noticed Sherlock Holmes watching her the previous day. Hence she escapes with her husband  Godfrey Norton. She tells Sherlock Holmes through a letter that she will keep the photograph only for her safety and would not send it on the day of the King’s betrothal. The King thanks Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson who has also helped to solve this great problem.  
The Part I enjoyed the most : The process of finding out all details about Irene Adler is the part I enjoyed the most. When Sherlock Holmes goes to the church along with Irene Adler and Godfrey Norton, instead of finding information he becomes a witness for their marriage.
A different ending : Sherlock Holmes goes and takes the photograph. Irene Adler sees this and catches him. Sherlock Holmes says that he has come on behalf of the King. He threatens Irene Adler that he would show the photograph to her husband. Afraid that he would show it, Irene Adler promises Sherlock Holmes that she would not send the photograph on the day of Betrothal. Sherlock Holmes burns the photograph in front of Irene Adler. He tells the King that he has burnt the photograph and there is no more trouble and makes the King promise that he would not harm Irene Adler.
Six New Words I Learnt :
Deduce : Infer logically
Lounged : Stand or move about idly
Veil : A piece of transparent fabric attached to a woman’s hat
Vile : Disgusting
Gibe : Jeer, mock
Sardonic : Bitterly mocking or cynical

Swami and Friends

 

Malgudi is a fictitious town in India created by R.K. Narayan in his novels and short stories. It forms the setting for most of Narayan's works. Starting with his first novel, Swami and Friends, all but one of his fifteen novels and most of his short stories take place here. Narayan has successfully portrayed Malgudi as a microcosm of India. Source: Wikipedia

Title : Swami and Friends

Author : R. K. Narayan

Main Characters : Swaminathan, Rajam, Mani, Swami’s father, Rajam’s father, Granny and Swami’s mother

Description of one of the main characters : Swami is a 10 year old mischievous boy who thinks of running away when he makes a mistake. He is a good bowler in the MCC.

Whom I like and Why : I like Rajam because he is responsible and studies very well. He is kind to his friends. He is a clever boy like his father who is a police superintendent. He is the captain of MCC.

Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike nobody as no one is rude or has any bad character. I like everybody but I like Rajam the most.

Setting/Theme of the story : Swaminathan, a 10 year old boy, is studying in a school in Malgudi. There is a new comer named Rajam. Swami and Mani become friends with Rajam. Rajam, Mani and Swami start the MCC(malgudi cricket club). Because of Swami’s pranks he is expelled from the only school in Malgudi. Swaminathan is afraid that his father would punish him and runs away. He misses the match between YMU(Young Men’s Union) and MCC. He is the best bowler for MCC. Swami returns home. Finally Rajam’s father is transferred and Rajam is going away. Swaminathan feels unhappy and presents him a story book as Rajam likes to read very much. Mani and Swami feel sad. They never forget their dear old friend Rajam.

The Part I enjoyed the most : I enjoyed the part when Swami and Mani becomes Rajam’s friend.

A different ending : Swami and his friends win the match with YMU. Rajam’s settle in Malgudi. Malgudi Cricket Club wins matches and gets more fame. Swami scores good marks and everybody is happy.

Four New Words I Learnt : 

• revolver : type of pistol
• triumphant : joyful after a victory
• ecstatic : intense happiness
• wrench : pull or twist violently

Famous Five( Five Go Off In A Caravan)

Title : Famous Five( Five Go Off In A Caravan)
Author : Enid Blyton
Main Characters : Anne, Dick, George, Julian, Timmy, Nobby, Barker, Growler, Pongo, Tiger Dan, Lou-the acrobat, Farmer Mackie and Mrs.Mackie 
Description of one of the main characters : Pongo is a funny chimpanzee who is a friend of Anne, Dick, George, Julian, Timmy and Nobby. Once when the Famous Five(Anne, Dick, George, Julian, Timmy) and Nobby are stuck in the middle of the confusing hill Pongo helps them to find  their way.
Whom I like and Why : I like Anne because she is responsible. She takes care of her three cousins and her pet dog Timmy. She is a kind and well-mannered girl too.
Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike Tiger Dan as he is selfish. He always wants everyone to listen to  him. He thinks he is very strong. Pongo beats him once and he never plays any trick on Pongo again.
Setting/Theme of the story : Anne,Dick, George, Julian and Timmy plan to spend their holidays in the hills. They are going to go off in a caravan on their own. They go to the Merran hill. They find a camp. They become friends with Barker, Growler, Pongo and Nobby. Lou and Tiger Dan always does some trouble to the Famous Five. Later the Famous Five find out that those two short-tempered man ( Lou and Dan) are smugglers. They smuggle valuable things. The Famous Five complain to the police and the smugglers are put into prison. The police thank the Famous Five. The Famous Five return home happy. 
The Part I enjoyed the most : I enjoyed the part when Pongo smacks the two smugglers, Dan and Lou. 
A different ending : The smugglers escape from the police and come to the children. They request the children not to tell the police and promise them that they would no more smuggle anything. Instead, they would be clowns or acrobats in a circus. The Famous Five are happy that the smugglers became good men. Nobby lives with them happily. Anne, Dick, George, Julian and Timmy have a very good holiday.
Five New Words I Learnt :

• nuzzle – rub or push against gently with nose
• muzzle – the nose and mouth of an animal
• gorgeous – beautiful
• trot – move at a pace faster than a walk
• ledge – narrow horizontal projection