February 2010 Book Club: The Hound of the Baskervilles

[margaine]

Finished the book finally. My reading got really slow towards the end for some reason. Once everything has been revealed, it becomes somewhat less exciting.

Spoiler Warning . . .
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Most of what was discussed in the final chapter were things that had already been revealed over the course of the book. However, I did have a moment of "ohhhhh" when Holmes described the two boots (one new and one old) that had been stolen from Henry Baskerville in the London hotel. It makes so much sense! I wish I had thought of that as it happened, but when I read it I was like "what is going on with these boots?" Overall, it's kind of frustrating that Holmes has figured out everything without telling Watson and without telling the reader. That's why I liked the boot clue, that is one example of a clue that is given to the reader so when the reality behind it is revealed, it's more interesting. But some other things - like how Holmes looked up the Stapletons in a list of schoolteachers - we just have no access to until well after the fact.

[Winifred]

Finally just bought an inexpensive copy of the book, so now I have to catch up with everyone! I've read it before, so should be able to respond to Jez's request for "reread" opinions.

I'd also read that Doyle was a doctor, but that he couldn't get a practice going, so he turned to writing instead. That's one failure that worked out all around!!

I do think it's amazing that Doyle dabbled in spiritual matters, while Holmes is so uber-rational. For those who enjoy this story, his (shorter) story about vampires, "The Case of the Sussex Vampire," is equally grounded, although with enough twists to keep it interesting.

The intro to my book says he turned to spiritualism after the death of his son. Sad.

[Jez]

That's why I liked the [removed] clue, that is one example of a clue that is given to the reader so when the reality behind it is revealed, it's more interesting. But some other things - like [removed]- we just have no access to until well after the fact.

I think you'd like the Asimov Union Club mysteries I mentioned, then. They give the reader all the clues and then an opportunity to put them together to solve the mystery before it is revealed. I like those types of mysteries a bit more, too, because I feel more involved in the story. I also often end up kicking myself at such obvious, but totally obscured, clues once they are revealed. The one you mentioned I didn't get at all where he was going with it when it first happened, then when it was returned I sort of got it and then forgot about it completely as the story went on, and only finally did it click in the climax chapter.

This book completely justifies why I now keep a list of all the books I've read--I'm pretty sure now, having completed The Hound of the Baskervilles, that I have read this book before! I have no recollection of when I might have read it, but the story is so familiar it definitely feels like a reread. I had a feeling ever since the first chapter, but then when Holmes and Watson met up I knew I'd read this before somewhere.

[margaine]

This book completely justifies why I now keep a list of all the books I've read--I'm pretty sure now, having completed The Hound of the Baskervilles, that I have read this book before! I have no recollection of when I might have read it, but the story is so familiar it definitely feels like a reread. I had a feeling ever since the first chapter, but then when Holmes and Watson met up I knew I'd read this before somewhere.

That was one of the (few) scenes that I remembered vividly from having read the book before.

[Phantom Paragrapher]

Ive finished The Hounds of Baskervilles . it was a great story as I hadn' t read it before , though had always meant too. I found the whole Hounds of Baskerville quite exiciting and though was a tad disappointed when it ended up being Jack Stapleton , not actually a hound thought It might have been like a werewolf of sorts kinda of like the Wolfman. Though it was interesting how the woman thought to be Jack's sister ended up being Mrs Stapleton, I quite liked that twist of the story , and as like Marg , I was like ooohh now I understand about the Boots lol. I was amazed to read that Arthur Conan Doyle had written the story "The Hounds of Baskervilles" in 1902 and it has been classified as one of the most frightening stories of all time.

Look forward to reading next months book choice.

[Winifred]

Well, finished, too. I'd read this years ago, and seen the movie (Basil Rathbone), must say that it keeps its interest, in spite of remembering the plot, which does tend to stick. Must say, though, it pretty much remains reliably great entertainment, no new deep insights to offer on re-reading.

Having piqued our imaginations with the article I posted about Asberger's, I don't think I believe it. Holmes' ability to deduce others' behavior, his insight into people's personalities (ie Mrs Lyons, Mr Stapleton's dangling his wife before Baskerville, for two examples), his (restrained)emotional display when he thought the hound had succeeded, and his warmth with Watson (and his insight and diplomacy upon discovering Watson's disappointment at being "fooled" by Holmes' being on the moors - Holmes immediately underlined how important Watson's contribution was), not to mention the interpersonal skills needed to ferret out all that information and keep himself fed and clothed (in clean, ironed clothes, no less) in a hut on the moors, all belie an Asberger's diagnosis, if I'm understanding it correctly.

It was fun thinking about, though

[musi]

Isaac Asimov has a similar set of short stories called The Union Club Mysteries. Each story is pretty short and starts in a gentleman's club where one gentleman is telling the mystery to a group of other men. The "Holmes" character is usually dozing, but really he's also listening to the story. Right before the mystery is solved, there is a break and the reader is allowed to try to guess who the culprit is. Then you can turn the page and the "Holmes" character wakes up and explains who (so obviously) committed the crime. They're almost as good as Holmes.

I think I am very easily tempted by anything that has the word "mystery" in it, so I bought The Union Club Mysteries book I am afraid it will have to wait until I finish the Discworld Series, but I am glad I have it already. I tried to look for it in the library, but given my current state of "I am not in the country, where I can go to any library I want and thus my access to books is very limited", I had to buy it on eBay. So thank you very much for suggestion, I don't think I would have found out Asimov wrote detective stories by myself

[Jez]

You're welcome, Musi. I hope you like the book!

[musi]

You're welcome, Musi. I hope you like the book!