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A review by ailsaod
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I realised recently that while I have read and watched a lot of media based on the Sherlock Holmes premise but I had never read any of Doyle's work and here I am remedying that. Sadly I am pretty underwhelmed - good for him creating the character though!
I recently tried to watch the 1959 film adaptation of the same title but was put off by the strange characterisation of Ms Stapleton (a woman Henry Baskerville takes a liking to but she gives off very odd mixed signals which would be at home on r/menwritewomen) among other things.
The beginning of the film is extremely faithful to the book, although there are some notable deviations that I am a bit confused about the inclusion of. In the book Ms Stapleton also behaves strangely but to a much lesser degree and her actions are greatly explained by the end of the book. Her character is still my main source of dissatisfaction with this book however as when Henry Baskerville attempts to court her she is clearly not interested (it is explicitly said at one point that she tries to push him away!) and yet Watson refers to it as true love?? Like not to impose my values on a book written over a century ago when women had no rights but what part of her behaviour made anyone think she was interested in the man?? Someone please point it out for me.
The actual mystery was fine and I did like how some of the different elements were tired together but it relies on a lot on environmental menace and wasn't as complicated as I was expecting.
I recently tried to watch the 1959 film adaptation of the same title but was put off by the strange characterisation of Ms Stapleton (a woman Henry Baskerville takes a liking to but she gives off very odd mixed signals which would be at home on r/menwritewomen) among other things.
The beginning of the film is extremely faithful to the book, although there are some notable deviations that I am a bit confused about the inclusion of. In the book Ms Stapleton also behaves strangely but to a much lesser degree and her actions are greatly explained by the end of the book. Her character is still my main source of dissatisfaction with this book however as when Henry Baskerville attempts to court her she is clearly not interested (it is explicitly said at one point that she tries to push him away!) and yet Watson refers to it as true love?? Like not to impose my values on a book written over a century ago when women had no rights but what part of her behaviour made anyone think she was interested in the man?? Someone please point it out for me.
The actual mystery was fine and I did like how some of the different elements were tired together but it relies on a lot on environmental menace and wasn't as complicated as I was expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Racism
A character is very interested in Craniology and makes comments that relate to race that are very of its time.