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A review by fbryant
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
1.0
This book was decent, I guess. It was short but the plot was still developed well. I personally dislike mysteries and I had to read this for a class so those factors 100% affect my one-star rating. However, there were still aspects of this novel that were degrading to my enjoyment of the story.
1. The portrayal of women in this book.
Sherlock Holmes is obviously arrogant and views himself as superior to even his best friend (*cough* love interest) Watson, but it's very apparent that he holds some sexist views. As does Conan Doyle. All of the (few) female characters were damsels in distress and only existed to aid/cry over the male characters.
The only reason Laura Lyons was in the story was to date Mr. Stapleton. I would have loved to see her aid Watson and Holmes in hurting Mr. Stapleton for the abusive and homocidal behavior he displayed. I did like that Ms. Stapleton helped Watson and Holmes with that part, but the men seemed to view themselves as higher than her. They also did not truly condemn Mr. Stapleton's abusive behavior towards both Laura Lyons and Ms. Stapleton. The men acknowledged that being in an abusive relationship can limit one's power to seek help or to speak out against your husband killing people with a dog, but they did not shame Mr. Stapleton enough in my opinion.
I also disliked how they responded when Mr. Stapleton was interfering with Henry and Ms. Stapleton's romantic walk. Mr. Stapleton was being extremely possessive and controlling in that situation, even when they were thought to have a brother-and-sister relationship. Watson was just like, ok, I understand why you were upset. However, his response to that did not acknowledge how controlling who your sister talks to is a very patriarchal and toxic way of thinking.
The character descriptions of the women also were very focused on the physical attributes, rather than the character traits and professional backgrounds described of the men.
2. The treatment of the hound
The hound was obviously abused, but Holmes and Watson did not seem to mention that.
I realize that this novel was published in 1901 and I did not start this book expecting respectful portrayals of women, however I am allowed to complain because I had to read it for school. Also it's Goodreads and you don't have to read my review, I don't care in the slightest. Let's just reconsider if we should keep worshiping this book, as it is very white male dominated and does not respect women. Not to mention that it's boring and the world has so many other mysteries to offer.
1. The portrayal of women in this book.
Sherlock Holmes is obviously arrogant and views himself as superior to even his best friend (*cough* love interest) Watson, but it's very apparent that he holds some sexist views. As does Conan Doyle. All of the (few) female characters were damsels in distress and only existed to aid/cry over the male characters.
The only reason Laura Lyons was in the story was to date Mr. Stapleton. I would have loved to see her aid Watson and Holmes in hurting Mr. Stapleton for the abusive and homocidal behavior he displayed. I did like that Ms. Stapleton helped Watson and Holmes with that part, but the men seemed to view themselves as higher than her. They also did not truly condemn Mr. Stapleton's abusive behavior towards both Laura Lyons and Ms. Stapleton. The men acknowledged that being in an abusive relationship can limit one's power to seek help or to speak out against your husband killing people with a dog, but they did not shame Mr. Stapleton enough in my opinion.
I also disliked how they responded when Mr. Stapleton was interfering with Henry and Ms. Stapleton's romantic walk. Mr. Stapleton was being extremely possessive and controlling in that situation, even when they were thought to have a brother-and-sister relationship. Watson was just like, ok, I understand why you were upset. However, his response to that did not acknowledge how controlling who your sister talks to is a very patriarchal and toxic way of thinking.
The character descriptions of the women also were very focused on the physical attributes, rather than the character traits and professional backgrounds described of the men.
2. The treatment of the hound
The hound was obviously abused, but Holmes and Watson did not seem to mention that.
I realize that this novel was published in 1901 and I did not start this book expecting respectful portrayals of women, however I am allowed to complain because I had to read it for school. Also it's Goodreads and you don't have to read my review, I don't care in the slightest. Let's just reconsider if we should keep worshiping this book, as it is very white male dominated and does not respect women. Not to mention that it's boring and the world has so many other mysteries to offer.