The complete Sherlock Holmes, part 2

I already finished reading the second volume of the complete Sherlock Holmes short stories and novels, even though I vowed not to touch it for a while after I finished the first volume. A while ago, I picked it up anyway, because I was looking for something light and easy to read. The volume that I read, consisted of two collections of short stories and the novels The Valley of Fear and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Usually I read any book from the beginning till the end, even if it is a collection of short stories, essays or of other writings that can be read separately and independently from each other. I am not one for dipping in and out. In this case, though, I made my way through the short stories first, then I read “The Valley of Fear” and finally “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, even though that is not the order in which they appear in the book.

I had planned to finish “The Hound of the Baskervilles” already last weekend, but didn’t manage to. Then every evening this week I installed myself on the couch or in bed intending to finish it. That didn’t happen till Friday evening, because each previous attempt failed as I would fall asleep early after having read only a couple of pages or a chapter. Friday I did manage to finish the book before I actually fell asleep.:-)

In the post I wrote after I finished the first volume, Cliff Burns left a comment about the art of composing and the use of words in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Somehow this got stuck in my head and I read the second volume with that remark always lurking around. I’d say it is mostly true, but especially for the short stories: often there is not a word too many. Every word that is there, has a function.

In “The Hound of the Baskervilles” many words are given to describing the atmosphere and the location, which is essential in the story. I think the setting on moors of Devon is one of the attractions of the story. I had read this book several times before, the last time being ten, if not fifteen years ago. I still remembered the big lines of the story, but not the details or who was the murderer. While reading, the story came back to me and I’d see the clues waving at me like red flags. I’d say to myself: “There’s a clue!” So when the villain was introduced, I immediately realized he was the bad guy. Despite thus knowing fairly early on who was the murderer, I still enjoyed reading the book and letting Arthur Conan Doyle lead me to the conclusion. There was also just enough left to guess to keep the story entertaining. Also, the descriptions of the moor where a part of the book I liked very much.

I had fun rereading all the Sherlock Holmes stories, but now that I am done with them, I don’t think I will take them up again in the next ten years or so. By that time, it might be time for a (partial) reread, but that time will tell.

You can download the free audiobook of here. The texts of all Sherlock Holmes stories and novels are available for free downloading here.