by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Barcelona, Spain: Fabbri Publishing Ltd, 1991. Pp. 238. Facsimile edition. The Classic Adventures Series. ₱350.00 (hardbound). [Reviewed by Jeremiah B. Pascual.]
I’ve never read a mystery book before, but when I made the decision to pick one up, Sherlock Holmes was on my mind. I was limited to thinking just of this Doyle’s fictitious character. The character is a classical phenomenon immortalized by series of books, or by some hardbound one-volume books.
Sherlock Holmes is my favorite movie character. I enjoyed movies animating him. Not to mention the movie Enola Holmes, supposedly his sister, which I am not sure if she is still one of Doyle’s fictitious character who fits in the tales of Sherlock.
Now, I decided to read him.
This book, as I found out, is one of his main outstanding cases. It is not the best book to follow Holmes in his cases or adventures. I read somewhere that it is good to start with his A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four. The Hound of the Baskervilles is third on the list if you want a chronological reading. I found a rather cheap complete Sherlock Holmes, a one-volume hardbound, which I will try to finish this year, Lord willing.
The viewpoint of Dr. Watson, Holme’s close companion, is used throughout the entire narrative. I suppose it is not wise to spoil you the story, but let me summarize what transpired.
The investigation is set in the property of the Baskervilles. The family is well-known in Devonshire where their huge manor is situated. The story is set largely in Dartmoor, Devon in West Country of England and in the nearby Grimpen Mire where the hound lived.
Hugo Baskerville is the infamous Baskerville who lived in 17th century. His death is surrounded by a tale about the fiend hound. This hound is believed to kill Hugo Baskerville by tearing his throat out.
The legend runs in the Baskerville family. Now, Sir Charles Baskerville lived in the manor as a rightful heir which I think died in 1889 (for the engraved year in Dr. Mortimer’s walking stick is 1884, which, according to Holmes is five years old). Dr. Mortimer is a close friend of Sir Charles. The Doctor recounts to Holmes the circumstances at the death of Sir Charles. And as he notes, he noticed there were footprints near the carcass of Sir Charles. Holmes asks, “A man’s or a woman’s?” the Doctor replied, “Mr. Holmes, they were the footpints of a gigantic hound!” (32).
Holmes is skeptical about the hound’s legend. But Dr. Mortimer is not seeking aid to unravel the enigma of the fiend hound. He is rather anxious about the safety of Sir Henry Baskerville, a farmer from Canada who is next in line to inherit the manor. Considering the curse that runs in the family, the Doctor asks Holmes, “Now, Mr. Holmes, what would you advise me to do with him?” (38).
Now, Holmes perceives that Sir Henry’s life is in danger but the gentleman is determined to go to the Baskerville Hall. Sir Henry says, “Whichever it is, my answer is fixed. There is no devil in hell, Mr. Holmes, and there is no man upon earth who can prevent me from going to the home of my own people, and you may take that to be my final answer” (55-56). Insinuating that even the fiend hound cannot hinder him from going. Thus, Holmes commissioned Dr. Watson, his trusted friend, to accompany Sir Henry in Devonshire, just to secure his safety, and also to supply Holmes in London with significant and minute facts that can help the investigation. Moreover, to keep the Baskerville from the moor and to accompany him at all times. Dr. Watsons promised, “I will do my best” (77).
The investigation of Holmes can determine whether or not there is an imminent danger in the life of whoever Baskerville will go to the Hall. If there is, then the perpetrator of the crime should be caught red handed.
Which of the characters do you think is the perpetrator? Or maybe, we could just yield to the famous legend that it was really a mysterious fiend hound that haunted Devonshire and hunted the Baskervilles to their deaths until there was no one to inherit the manor. Or maybe, the hound was just attacking the poor Baskervilles at the will of its human master. What a mystery!
The main characters of the story, aside form Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, are: Dr. Mortimer, Sirs Hugo, Charles, and Henry Baskervilles, Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore, Selden (the convict), Mr. Jack Stapleton, Ms./Mrs. Beryl Stapleton, Ms. Laura Lyons, Mr. Frankland, and Cartwright.
The book can be finished roughly in one day depending on your availability. Is it enjoyable? Yes. Considering that it was my first time reading a mystery book.
I am so impressed with Doyle’s ability to write such a complex story. Hats off to him. He has truly mastered the art of storytelling.
By the way, just in case the reader is interested, my favorite quote in the story is: “I saw Holmes put his hand to his forehead, like a man distracted. He stamped his feet upon the ground” (182). A brilliant, genius man appears lost in an awful moment of his life. This is remarkable. Now I see him in his weakness.
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