What sort of horror could lead a whole family to believe that children from the same bloodline will suffer from a terrible curse? Imagine a deserted countryside in England, a forgotten family tradition, strange deaths of people, and a terrifying creature that makes awful sounds at night. Is there something supernatural about this story, or is there a more dangerous explanation for the myth?
In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tells a fantastic story interweaving detective fiction, Gothic horror, psychological drama, and scientific proof that is still captivating its audience over a hundred years after publication.
The tale begins with the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who was found dead near the famous Yew Alley in the family estate in Devonshire. The death of Sir Charles corroborates the old family legend about a terrifying black dog that is supposed to prey on Baskervilles. According to a manuscript dated 1742, this curse started from the evil Hugo Baskerville, whose horrible misfortune became the basis of a frightening family prophecy.
The arrival of Sir Henry Baskerville from Canada for the purpose of acquiring his estate signals that the trouble is not yet over. Dr James Mortimer feels uneasy about Sir Henry’s safety and seeks help from the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Next there begins an investigation filled with suspicious characters, mysterious footsteps, anonymous messages and strange sounds.
Arthur Conan Doyle makes an excellent narrative decision to let Dr Watson tell most of the story. While Holmes continues staying in London, Watson travels to Baskerville Hall and provides Holmes with detailed information on what has been going on. Using this narrative technique, the author lets the reader feel the uncertainty, isolation and tension along with Watson. When Holmes joins in at the very end, it makes the situation even more thrilling, because some seemingly unimportant facts become evidence of the ongoing conspiracy.
The beauty of the novel is in its atmosphere. Dartmoor is more than just a place. Its foggy hills, prehistoric stones, steep bogs and inhospitable marshes create a frightening world where fiction and reality meet. Arthur Conan Doyle uses perfectly the basic human fear of the unknown.
However, the most significant success of the story lies in its research of treachery, greed and human evilness. Holmes shows that the most remarkable detective case could have very simple explanations. The magical creature is involved in the carefully thought-out plan of crime, thus proving the enormous potential of the power of science and the mind.
Another interesting fact that complements the story of the book is related to its writing. Doyle dedicated the book to his friend Bertram Fletcher Robinson, crediting the man with his description of the legend and his help in creating the whole story.
What is more, the book became the first full-length Sherlock Holmes story after The Final Problem, where the great detective died.
The work was initially published in the form of a serial in The Strand Magazine from August 1901 until April 1902, whereas the book came out on March 25, 1902.
The Hound is rather a multi-faceted study rather than a detective story about some animal. It is a brilliant consideration of fear, inherited superstition, personal ambition and incredible efforts human beings could take to acquire wealth and authority.
In the end, Doyle makes an intriguing point: the finest monsters are not always those coming out of the shadows – at times, those who are hidden behind decent looks are real horrors.
More than a hundred years since its publication, it is still evident that the worst mystery comes not from what is in the shadows, but from what remains unspotted in bright light.
