Posted in Book Reports
Check out this great book report from my friend Caitlin!
It makes me want to go to the library and get my webbed feet on this book!
It makes me want to go to the library and get my webbed feet on this book!
One of Sherlock Holmes greatest adventures is the book The Hound of the Baskervilles , by Arthur Conan Doyle. It is considered to be one of the greatest detective mysteries of all time. Full of suspense, death, and hidden feelings it will captivate your imagination.
The story is set in England during the late 1800's . Most of the book takes place in a gloomy village, where the great Baskerville Hall is located by a strange dark moor. The weather is usually dull and gloomy. I think the area sets the mood for the mystery perfectly because it causes you to wonder if anything happy could occur in that kind of atmosphere.
So, it already builds you up to disastrous happenings and odd people.
I was surprised that the main character is not the legendary Sherlock Holmes but rather his faithful assistant Dr. Watson. Watson is smart, loyal, and brave even though he dosen’t think so. During the book, Watson learns that he can accomplish things without Holmes and that he isn’t as timid as he had first thought. I think the reason he changes is because he knows that he has things to do and that he has to push aside his fears. If I could meet Dr. Watson I would because I think it would be interesting to find out what drove him to conquer his fears and how he defeated them.
Some of the other characters include Sherlock Holmes, the witty and suspicious detective; the proud but feeble Sir Henry, heir of Baskerville Hall; the odd Dr. Mortimer; the Barrymore couple shrouded with misery and mystery, and finally the moody naturalist named Stapleton and his sister Ms. Stapleton who is beautiful yet grim. Even though deceased, Sir Charles Baskerville is of great importance. A feeble, superstitious, elderly man, his mysterious death has caused much confusion.
In the beginning, you meet Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in London on Baker Street puzzling over a new case. You see, there is a legend concerning the powerful old family, the Baskervilles, that says every male Baskerville will be haunted by a huge, black, fire breathing hound until he dies... usually at the hands of the demon dog. The last of the family, Sir Charles, died a sudden death at Baskerville Hall and it is unsure if it is safe to bring Sir Henry Baskerville to the Hall. After meeting Sir Henry, Holmes decides that it would be safe for the heir to go to Baskerville Hall as long as someone would accompany him there and stay with him at all times until the mystery is solved. Sherlock suggests Watson.
Later Holmes explains to Watson why this is the best choice. For Watson could send constant reports to Holmes about the case and he would be protecting Sir Henry at the same time. However, the great detective admits to being uneasy about the state of things. "It’s an ugly business, Watson, an ugly, dangerous business, and the more I see of it the less I like it. Yes, my dear fellow, I shall be very glad to have you back safe and sound in Baker Street once more."
Once at the Hall Watson starts amassing clues and sends a detailed report back to Holmes in London almost every day. The good Doctor wishes to learn more to please the great detective but he can’t leave Sir Henry’s side for safety’s sake.
The villagers begin to see a wild black hound out on the moor and it’s howl can be heard deep within. As time passes and these strange happenings increase Sir Henry becomes delusional seeing a demon dog in his dreams and wakes hearing a hound’s bark ringing in his ears.
As the end draws near that which was suspicious is proved harmless, and those thought innocent change to being murderous. Blood is spilled, nerves are shot, and through it all justice tries to prevail. To find out what happens you’ll have to read the book yourself.
At first the plot seems very confusing but as you read more things become clearer. In the end, all is revealed, but the book prompts you to make your own conclusions. I think that’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed reading it so much because it was like you were helping Watson solve the case. It is like solving a puzzle because you still have to make some of your own judgements to understand the plot. The fact that the book has action, suspense, and realistic characters also makes it a fascinating classic.
Some things I thought were interesting about the book are that it was written with diary entries, letters, and conversations between the characters. Also, The Hound of the Baskervilles was originally a weekly serial in the Strand Magazine in 1901 and was made into a book 8 months later.
Posted by Imaginator99
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