Why The Hound of the Baskervilles is a masterpiece
Created over a century ago, Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most popular fictional characters of all time. On top of the 4 novels and 56 short stories, numerous people have expanded the series by writing versions of their own, making plays, dramas, and movies. The contribution of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with Sherlock Holmes and Watson to this genre was invaluable. Even those who haven't read a single Sherlock story, over a century later, know who he is. Popular authors like Agatha Christie were inspired by this concept and created their own detective/sidekick combo and even more intriguing and modernized mysteries to make the genre called "Detective Fiction" even richer.
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Amongst the 60 total works, the fourth novel(in order of release), "The Hound of the Baskervilles," is widely acclaimed to be the best and one of the greatest novels of all time.
Note: This review does not contain spoilers(no major plot reveals).
The Setup
A man called Dr. Mortimer arrives to consult Sherlock at his Baker Street apartment, seeking his assistance for an important decision he has to make. Sir Charles Baskerville, his friend and a wealthy man who lived in his ancestral home, a Victorian mansion called "Baskerville Hall," was found dead outside in his yard, with his face contorted with fear. The cause of death seemed to be a heart attack, but an ancient manuscript from the house said it was not a natural heart attack.
Back in the 17th century, there had been a man called Sir Hugo Baskerville, and he was allegedly killed by a demonic hound with glowing eyes, after kidnapping a local girl and running over the moors of Devonshire, the primary setting of the story. From then on, it's said, that every Baskerville heir will die to this demonic hound, paying for their ancestor's sin.
Towards the end of chapter 2, when Sherlock asks the man if he found anything around the dead body. He says there was nothing in his body that suggested physical damage, or any footprints or any other sign that suggested a person done anything to the man. But then a shocking and brilliantly crafted hook is added in the following lines, through dialogue:
"But one false statement was made by Barrymore(the butler who got to the scene first) at the inquest. He said there were no traces on the ground around the body. He did not observe any. But I did some little distance off, but fresh and clear." (Dr. Mortimer)
"Footprints?"(Sherlock)
"Footprints."
"A man's or a woman's?"
Dr. Mortimer looked strangely at us for an instant, and his voice sank almost to a whisper as he answered:-
"Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!""
The decision Dr. Mortimer had to make was what he had to do with the next heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, who was due to arrive later that day from Canada, since he was tasked with getting the estate to the right person by Charles after his death. Despite being a scientific man, even he was unsure whether to believe the legend or not, that every Baskerville would be killed by this demonic hound for the sin of their ancestor. Here Doyle brings out the conflict between rationalism and superstition, and the reader, along with the narrator, has no choice but to fall for the darker conclusion.
Sherlock, however, seems determined that it should have a logical conclusion, and asks Dr. Mortimer to receive the heir and let him take over the estate.
They are to meet the next morning before that. And this is when the affair becomes more intriguing, as the two come back the next morning, saying they had got a cryptic message through a letter:
"As you value your life or your reason, keep away from the moor."
Sir Henry also adds details of strange happenings; one of his new brown boots had disappeared and reappeared, but then an old black boot had vanished later.
Sherlock and Watson follow the two as they leave the apartment, and Sherlock almost catches a bearded man tailing them in a cab. This adds a classic spy-thriller-like vibe to this seemingly goth-mystery.
The Narration and Atmosphere
Watson is sent with Sir Henry Baskerville to look after him, as Sherlock says he's busy with other cases in London. This is one of the main tools that make this novel a masterpiece. By seeing the world through the sidekick, who doesn't have the "powers" Sherlock does, the reader feels as vulnerable as Watson.
This is immediately portrayed, as Watson is increasingly troubled at the sight of the Great Grimpen Mire and moors out in Devonshire; a moody, endless moor with scarcely any people living there, and covered in mist most of the time. The mire is like sinking sand, and sucks in anyone who tries to navigate through it, not knowing the path through it. Above all, it is said that an escaped convict, a murderer, was lurking around in the moors. This constant "whiff" of death around Baskerville Hall creates a dark and nervy atmosphere.
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The Baskerville Hall, too, is nothing short of spookiness. It is a huge Victorian mansion, long chambers and towering walls, portraits of the previous Baskervilles, and it sits alone on a hill with the neighbors' houses far away. Only four people live there: Watson, Sir Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore - the servants.
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Constant Suspense and Mystery
The neighbors and the servants, too, are like everything around, strange and suspicious. Mr. Stapleton is a naturalist and spends most of his time with a butterfly net, and lives with his sister in a house called the Merripit House. He says he knows how to navigate through the mire that Watson loathed. A man called Mr. Frankland is an eccentric, harsh man who spies on his neighbors and the moor. Mr. Barrymore, the butler, is followed by Watson for a few days after he noted him moving about in the late night, and eventually caught signaling to someone on the moor. It suggests that a deeper conspiracy is afoot within the house itself.
Soonafter, it gets thrilling as Watson and Sir Henry chase after someone out on the moor at night, and despite missing him, Watson briefly sees a "tall, thin man" under the moonlight, standing on a rocky hill. He's certain it's not the man they had chased. Is a man behind all of this after all, like they saw back in London, a man following them in a cab?
Thrilling Climax
As usual in a Sherlock Holmes novel, when the reader and Watson are bewildered and hopeless, Sherlock steps in. (It's not a spoiler to say Sherlock comes in a Sherlock Holmes novel, is it?). They work together to find an interesting and nail-biting finish to this thrilling adventure, with Sherlock clearing the air on everything as he always does.
Compelling Themes
Rationalism vs. Superstition: Through Watson as our narrator, Doyle seriously tests the common man's ability to stay within the realm of reality even when the other seems to be more likely. Through Sherlock, we are shown how logic and science can be used to work out solutions to the toughest problems.
Appearance vs. Reality: From the moors of Devonshire and Grimpen Mire, Sir Henry Baskerville, his servants, and neighbors, Doyle shows how conflicting appearance and reality could be. The resolution of the mystery(not mentioned because it's a spoiler) especially supports this theme.
Conclusion
The Hound of the Baskervilles contains the perfect doses of mystery and suspense, the stalwarts of detective fiction, on top of the goth and horror elements presented through the moody surroundings and the hound. The novel can't be listed as a horror novel; however, it doesn't get too scary. Doyle stays within the realms of keeping it grim and giving the reader a feeling of being trapped with this unseen force.
There is definitely a lot of adventure and thrill, as the book is filled with pursuits and chases. Anyone who enjoys detective fiction, mystery, adventure, and suspense will consider this novel to be one of the best they've ever read. Regardless, this novel is a timeless classic with excellent pace, great characters, compelling themes, clever worldbuilding, a gripping plot, and a satisfying ending, that makes it a perfect read for anyone.