The hound of the Baskervilles is probably the most famous and widely read of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Among the 4 novels, this is the only one completely set in England and also the only one without the long narratives by other characters.
The story revolves around the death of Sir Charles Baskerville by a ( supposedly) demon hound from hell that is a curse on the Baskrerville family for the misdeeds of one of their ancestors. So far so good. But he left behind a rather large inheritance for the only living relative, Henry Baskerville. Sir Charle’s friend, Dr. James Mortimer fears for his ( Henry’s) safety and asks Holmes to help him solve the murder and to capture the hound before anything happens to Henry. Add to this a a missing relative and an Escaped criminal and it all becomes very exciting.
For once, Watson does some significant does some significant detective work himself, although Holmes does manage to stay one step ahead as usual.However, all crime and no play make jack a dull boy. There are many different elements of humour and romance throughout the novel. Consider Dr. Watson’s description of a certain Mr. Frankland.:
’’He is an elderly man, red-faced, white-haired, and choleric. His passion is for the British law, and he has spent a large fortune in litigation. He fights for the mere pleasure of fighting and is equally ready to take up either side of a question, so that it is no wonder that he has found it a costly amusement. Some-
times he will shut up a right of way and defy the parish to make him open it. At others he will with his own hands tear down some other man’s gate and declare that a path has existed there
from time immemorial, defying the owner to prosecute him for trespass. He is learned in old manorial and communal rights, and he applies his knowledge sometimes in favour of the villagers of
Fernworthy and sometimes against them, so that he is periodically either carried in triumph down the village street or else burned in effigy, according to his latest exploit. He is said to
have about seven lawsuits upon his hands at present, which will probably swallow up the remainder of his fortune and so draw his sting and leave him harmless for the future. Apart from the
law he seems a kindly, good-natured person, and I only mention him because you were particular that I should send some description of the people who surround us. He is curiously employed at present, for, being an amateur astronomer, he has an excellent telescope, with which he lies upon the roof of his own house and sweeps the moor all day in the hope of catching a glimpse of the escaped convict. If he would confine his energies to this all would be well, but there are rumours that he intends to prosecute
Dr. Mortimer for opening a grave without the consent of the next of kin because he dug up the neolithic skull in the barrow on Long Down.’’
The thing about Sherlock Holmes mysteries is the presence of several minor ’sub-mysteries ’ in the plot. Although they may appear insignificant ( as does Watson), in the end you find out how well they fit into the entire scheme of things. The ’shoe’ problem, which appears early on in the story is a good example. You’ll kick yourself ( as does Watson) when you find out how it fits into the solution and say to yourself ’’ why didn’t I think of that ?’’.
The pace of the story never lets down till the end. Doyle’s writing instantly conjures up images of Victorian London and the English countryside.
Quotable Quotes :
To Holmes: ’’...A cast of your skull, sir, until the original is available, would be an ornament to any anthropological museum. It is not my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet your
skull.’’
’’The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.’’