Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Book Review: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous character, Sherlock Holmes, once again proved himself to be one of the most observant detectives in the detective fiction world. In the mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock manages to solve the case of the myth about a supernatural hound that hunts down the Baskerville family. This intriguing story keeps the reader addicted and captivated into the plot of the story.

In The Hound of the Baskervilles, the setting of the story was set around the time of 1889 due to the fact that was the year of the cane given to James Mortimer. At this time, the Victorian Age was beginning and ready for the turn of the century. People of this time believed that they had a reputation to uphold and had to present themselves to be more knowledgeable and better manner than anybody else. This type of personality can be found in The Hound of the Baskervilles with many of the character especially with Sherlock Holmes. Although back in modern times today when people who read Sherlock now may perceive him to being egotistical and self-absorbed. This type of personality was not look down upon in the Victorian society. When in the beginning of the novel where Sherlock seems to be insulting Watson’s intelligence for Watson trying to solve the owner of the cane, such sentences like, “Some people possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it. I confess, my dear fellow, that I am very much in your debt (Discovering Sherlock Holmes).” The attitude that Sherlock demonstrates to Watson is enjoyed by many Victorians as they believe in flaunting their intelligence.

The style of writing that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used in his story, The Hound of the Baskervilles, dealt with intriguing writing that brings the reader into the story, gothic literature, and the element of mystery. In order for this style of story to be replicated, the writer would have to master the writing skills of keeping the reader on the edge of their seats. Doyle manages to keep his reader into the story by letting them try to solve the case for themselves. Although it is known in numerous Sherlock Holmes stories that only Sherlock has the information to solve the case and not the reader. However; the reader love the fact that they can try to wrack their brain over how the cased could be solved. As more clues are brought into the story, the more interested the reader is into the story. This Sherlock Holmes story revolves around a dark, foggy moor with an evil, demon hound that hunts down the Baskerville family and kills them one by one. This is a form of gothic literature that was very popular in the Victorian Age. The idea of a character making a deal with the devil to achieve his goal makes the reader intrigue of what will happen to that character and anybody else involved. The dark mood in the story has an eerie feeling that keeps the reader in wonder of what might happen next. The next element of the story would be the element of mystery. This style of writing keeps the reader in a vague idea of what is exactly going on in the story. The reasoning for doing this is to keep the reader wanting to find out what happens next in the story which they allow themselves to continue on reading to find out what happens next. The writing hooks the reader into wanting to find out what happens in the story towards the very end.

This was an exciting style of writing especially during the time period of the Victorian Age. This style of writing during the turn of the century was probably some sort of release valve for the people during this time. These types of novels have a great appeal to the people who have very boring and dry lives. These people, such as the classic Victorian Age wife, only had to clean the house, take care of the kids, and make food for the family and nothing else new. These daily everyday routines during the Victorian Age created a need for something that can give them a rush. A Sherlock Holmes novel such as The Hound of the Baskervilles had the excitement that people during that time needed in order to satisfy that urge of something new. The Victorian Age people lead very strict and mundane lives that kept them repress of doing anything that would be consider unorthodox. Reading these Sherlock Holmes stories allow them to be the noble Victorians, but yet were able to satisfy their urges for excitement.

Sherlock Holmes is still a famous character today in the modern world. Although people do not read books as much as people did back in the Victorian Age due to the inventions of radio, television and internet, when the name “Sherlock Holmes” is mention then most people have a good idea to know who exactly Sherlock Holmes is due to his famous detective skills. Sherlock Holmes stories are still popular and interesting in the modern world because people are still interested in detective work. When people watch shows like CSI or similar shows, they are given certain evidence and given the opportunity to solve the case. But in reality, the people who try to following along usually do not have the same information to solve the case like the characters do on the show. This is the same example that goes for Sherlock Holmes stories. As the reader tries to solve the case with the clues given to them, Sherlock is always one step ahead since he has information that the reader does not have. But either in the Victorian Age or all the way through the modern times, people love to reader these thrillers, mystery stories. People have this natural attraction for crimes that seem insolvable, but with the right information and the right character then that case is consider case closed.

“Discovering Sherlock Holmes.” The Hound of the Baskervilles. A Community Reading Project From Stanford University. Stanford University. 2006. 11/12/07.

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