The Hound Of The Baskervilles

Although I'm one of those people who prefers to savour the after-book feeling, by internally – and sometimes externally – sobbing about how great it was at enthralling you; for the purpose of this exercise I will try and put those feelings into words without reverting into ‘fan girl’ mode (even though I will always maintain the belief that it will forever be the way of conveying your true feelings towards your experience within that book’s world).

 ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, was already a book sitting patiently on my to-be-read list at the time that this task surfaced, so it was an obvious choice for my selection; one that would prove both an enchanting and intriguing adventure.

As this is an infamous tale of the century’s turn, I'm working with the assumption that surely everyone will have seen one adaption of the tale, however recent or original (if you haven’t, then I am obliged to ask you what rock have you been residing under the entirety of your life? And, if I may join you?). I will therefore refrain from being directly cumbersome with the synopsis, I will let you be a free man, woman or person and delve directly into my review and honest opinion of the famous novel, so you need not fret.

To begin, we must first discuss the use of tone throughout the novel, a simple thing that Doyle manages to maintain throughout not just this novel, but through an entire series. From the opening lines recounting the dignified structure of an imminent meeting, to the revelation of horrors of fragrant abuse and infidelity the suspect is inevitably accused of by Holmes, the tone never lifts its harrowing fingers of despise. This is one aspect many authors fall flat on, even if it’s one of the ‘easier’ trials of writing, but never does the dark tone lift its cloud from the recount; obvious to say do not attempt to read this while in the throes of happiness – although that feeling is pretty hard to achieve under the callous new regime the government has decided to enforce – with the expectation to fully grasp the fear that constantly proves a threat to both the physical and emotional threat to characters.

Also, the narrative comes in the form of first person – from Watson.  A non-protagonist point of view is one rarely taken in literature, partly due to the difficulty undertaken in writing it; but Doyle pulls it perfectly. Although at times he has been known for mocking the character of Watson, especially when in the sight of his exceptional friend, Doyle uses this not to distance the reader, but involve them in the story to a greater extent. For this reason, there are times where Dr Watson can be portrayed as seemingly ignorant, however this is not the impression the device is intended to create. Watson is there primarily to stand in for the beliefs of the ‘common’ man, and provide a sense of morality in the distant mind of Holmes, allowing Watson to take us on an adventure with him, while still viewing the world through familiar eyes.

 Throughout this review I have no doubt expressed my distaste for both the reading and writing of book reviews, as for the fact that once you discuss the techniques the writer uses, you are admitting that it was in fact a book, and not a world you were entranced in. But in despite of this, I would without doubt recommend this if you identify as a fan of horror, murder mysteries or any other junior adaption. You would not want to be robbed of the experience of losing yourself in the original; it is not for no reason that Victorian Sherlockians staged a full blown protest over the notion that they would never again be able to read an update of their favourite characters' life, as the impact every adventure has is perpetually emotional; no exaggeration needed. I can say it is a world that you will forever remain sherlocked in, for better, and for worse.

by Cam Mackie