May/ June 2014 Group Read - The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

[Bill]

One of the two books voted to be discussed for the May/ June 2014 Reading Group is this classic of mystery by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, . It features that well-known sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, subject of TV series, movies and other books by Doyle, as well as other authors who respect and treasure his work. I hope you enjoy the reading, if you've not read before and the re-reading if you have. Moderator for this Group read is Flash Beagle. The discussion thread is open for as long as you want to discuss the book. Enjoy!

[M.L.]

Classic crime fiction with the well-known team, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson!

[Franky]

Read this one awhile back and I'm a big fan of the Holmes stories. I enjoyed the supernatural angle to the plot, the idea of a supposed family curse. There is also great atmosphere as Watson and Holmes explore the moors. Great building tension towards the end.

[M.L.]

I'm a Holmes fan too and enjoying it - love the language. As Franky mentions it's very atmospheric. Great descriptions of the Gothic manor, the moor and the cast of eccentric characters living there.

[VickiLee]

Ah! The terror, the horror, the unflinching mystery of it all. I enjoyed this novel, as I do all the Holmes stories (although I do feel Doyle gave Sherlock some unfair advantages over poor Watson!) The ending was anti-climactic much in the same way Poe's "Murder in Rue Morgue" was for me. However, a jolly good read. We all need a bit of Sherlock in our lives.

[Barbara]

You can never go wrong with Sherlock Holmes! I've read this story many times and always sense the horror of the creepy dangerous moors with the wild beast ready to pounce. I've also seen various movie versions of the story. Always enjoyable.

[Franky]

I know there are several film adaptations of this novel. I really liked the Basil Rathbone (1939) version. I also liked the 1988 Jeremy Brett version. I think both definitely are spot on with the intended atmosphere and mood. Did anyone else see any other film version of this book?

[[deleted user]]

I've seen both of those, Franky. I vaguely remember another version, but can absolutely not remember. Perhaps I saw it at the cinema when I was a young thing?
I confess I have never read it, although I have read many other Holmes stories.

Might have to give it a try!

[M.L.]

I've seen pictures of Basil Rathbone as Holmes (but not the movie) and he looks exactly the part. I didn't think anyone could match that but I googled Jeremy Brett and he looks terrific, the look, intensity. I haven't seen any movies and would like to so glad for the recommendations.

VickiLee mentioned Poe's Murder in the Rue Morgue and I'm always interested in how books relate to each other.
Did anyone think of any books/characters, similar, opposite or anything like that?
I thought of Hercule Poirot and how they are both world famous detectives but different personalities.
If you could go on an investigation who would you go with, Holmes or Poirot?

[M.L.]

I agree Barbara, can't go wrong with Sherlock Holmes!
I thought this was great. What surprised me is how the moor was brought to life, wild ponies, butterflies, and the harmless looking mire. I also liked getting a really good look at Dr. Watson, he's great: a total gentleman, will be firm interviewing a lady when he needs to be (knows she's lying or holding back the truth), and the worst thing he can call anyone is a "scoundrel" (vehemently!).

One thing I didn't expect at all about the whodunit resolution:(view spoiler)[the real villain drowned in the mire! They didn't see it but he disappeared during the chase and the markers were gone. The moor holds its secrets! (hide spoiler)]

[Franky]

I'll have to go back and revisit Poe's Murder in the Rue Morgue. It's been quite awhile since I read and I would like to see the parallels.

Flash Beagle, I think both Holmes and Poirot have similarities in that they trust their intuitions, but maybe the difference is that Holmes sees "mistakes" in the most ordinary of circumstances (the way a letter is written, for instance), whereas Poirot seems to pinpoint a person's character and motive by what they say or, in some cases, purposely leave out, while being questioned. I think that both would get the job done and it would be fun to see them both work their magic in an investigation, but I guess I'd rather go with Holmes and see how he handles the situation.

[M.L.]

Great comments! I'm kind of a weathervane since I like them both. At first I thought maybe Poirot because of the different locations, he is very social, cosmopolitan, and I really like the way he puts things in order as to motive. At the same time I really like Holmes's emphasis on physical evidence, microscopic evidence, so when all is said and done I would say Holmes - he really gets in there and mixes it up - very physical, chases, disguises, everything.

Earlier this year there was a program on forensics and Arthur Conan Doyle was very influential in the development of forensics and actively investigated real cases. News to me! Makes it even more interesting.

If anyone is interested in Doyle/forensics - "Doc Martin" / Martin Clunes - I just saw this - Martin Clunes will be portraying Arthur Conan Doyle, the story is based on a Julian Barnes novel. Pretty cool!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/ma...
Martin Clunes will play Sherlock Holmes' creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in a new drama inspired by one of the writer's real-life cases.

"ITV's Arthur and George is based on a novel by Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes about Conan Doyle's efforts to clear an Anglo-Indian solicitor who was jailed for a crime he did not commit at the turn of the 20th century.

ITV boss Peter Fincham said the "wonderful" story would be made into a three-part drama.
I'm looking forward to it!

[Bill]

Sounds like it might be an interesting drama, Flash. I do like Martin Clunes.

[Bob]

Although, as I said in my intro to the group that I'm a bookaholic, this is my first Sherlock Holmes read. I must say that I really enjoyed the adventure. I was captured by the way the story unfolded and it was impossible to put down. Needless to say, it led to a sleepless night since I couldn't wait to see how Holmes solved the mystery.

Since I own the complete set of A.C. Doyle's works, I look forward to reading more. Of course, once I get through the thousands of other books on my "to read" list.

[Sally]

I read The Hound of the Baskervilles for about the fifth time right after visiting Dartmoor. I'm happy to say that it is still just as creepy today as it was then. The ponies are still there, as are the prehistoric houses although only the foundations remain today. The prison is still there too! The story was even more enjoyable after having seen Dartmoor.

[Cindy]

Now for me it's which book do I read it from? Sherlock being my favorite, my family tends to buy me nice collections when they find them.

[Jan C]

I listened to it this time. Included with it was the Dancing Men story. Made for an enjoyable afternoon.

[M.L.]

Has anyone else read other Holmes novels or short stories?

[M.L.]

Sally wrote: "I read The Hound of the Baskervilles for about the fifth time right after visiting Dartmoor. I'm happy to say that it is still just as creepy today as it was then. The ponies are still there, as ar..."

Glad to hear so much of the setting is still there!

[Michele]

I've read all the Holmes stories, more than once. They are perfect for when you only have short periods of time for reading.

[Mark Pghfan]

I've read this and watched the 1989 version with Jeremy Brett as well. Unlike the short stories, there is a lot of red herring subplots here, which are welcome. I also like the device of using magic or superstition that make us stop and (nearly, at least) believe that that might be the solution, only to find out there is a reasonable explanation.

[Janice]

I'm glad this particular Sherlock Holmes book was chosen for discussion. I read several of his stories a while back and liked them. I think The Hound of the Baskervilles has everything, mood, intrigue, observant detective skills, excellent writing and plot. I really liked the incorporation of superstition with scientific explanations. And the game Holmes plays with his main man Watson led to some pretty suspenseful stuff! Couldn't put it down!

[Karen]

Bill wrote: "Sounds like it might be an interesting drama, Flash. I do like Martin Clunes."

Sounds good to me also.

[Karen]

I had wanted to read this for quite awhile. since I had it already on Kindle; I nominated it. Was so happy to hear it was chosen. I am about 1/3 of the way along. Really enjoying the story, but then I never met a Doyle story I didn't like. Great discussion.

[Karen]

Flash Beagle wrote: "Has anyone else read other Holmes novels or short stories?"
I have read most of his books or stories.

[Karen]

Sally wrote: "I read The Hound of the Baskervilles for about the fifth time right after visiting Dartmoor. I'm happy to say that it is still just as creepy today as it was then. The ponies are still there, as ar..."
That would be a great way to lead into reading this book!

[Mark Pghfan]

I got the entire Holmes oeuvre on Kindle and have been reading my way through. I have also listened to the excellent (and generally quite faithful) BBC radio adaptations with Clive Merrison as Holmes and Michael Williams as Watson.

[Franky]

Flash Beagle wrote: "Has anyone else read other Holmes novels or short stories?"

I read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes awhile back. It's a collection of 12 stories. I was pretty impressed with all the stories. Some stories are dark, but some, like "A Scandal in Bohemia" are light. Probably my favorite of the group was "The Adventure of the Speckled Band", a closed-room mystery filled with building suspense. Great collection of stories for the Holmes enthusiast.

As a side note, as I was reading this collection, I found a series of Sherlock Holmes episodes on netflix and would watch after reading. Made for a fun experience.

By the way, if anyone is interested, here are the two versions of The Hound of the Baskervilles on youtube:

Jeremy Brett version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKnZ8...

Basil Rathbone version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxH2k...

[M.L.]

Thanks for the links, I want to watch both of them!

I'm alternating longer reads with the Adventures and now on "The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet".

[Mark Pghfan]

The Beryl Coronet is a good, tricky puzzle for Holmes!

[M.L.]

Pghfan wrote: "The Beryl Coronet is a good, tricky puzzle for Holmes!"

Good story, I enjoyed it! It started at Holmes's Baker Street address and The Hound of the Baskervilles starts there too. In fact I think a lot of the stories start there and I think it's a great way to do a series - the reader begins with a sense of familiarity. (It reminded me of the Harry Potter books starting at his aunt and uncle's, except for 2 of them and after the intro chapters those 2 really ended up starting at Privet Drive as well.) This is in contract to Agatha Christie's Poirot who begins in different locations.

[Karen]

I was at about 86% on this and lost my kindle. I got it back a couple days ago so may get it finished up in the next few days. it was like a part of me died when my kindle went missing.