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Review of Flowers of Algernon by 'Daniel Keyes'

Genre: Science Fiction, Published: 1966 Pages: 266 Tags: science fiction, epistolary novel Now, How do i explain to you guys that this book scratched a particular part of my brain that i didn't think was possible. Sorrow, anger, helplessness - what am i feeling? This is how you will feel while reading this book. The story is about charlie, a 32 year old man with intellectual disability, has an IQ of 68, works in a bakery , his uncle's friend runs. Charlie is insanely driven to get smart and miraculously he comes across an opportunity to be part of an experiment which could increase his IQ and make him the most intelligent person in the room. A little about the procedure, this has been already performed on a rat named 'Algernon' and results proven to be successful. Charlie was going to be the first human subject in this experiment. In the book, the story unfolds through a series of reports written by  Charlie while he was a part of this experiment. The progre...
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Review of The Hound of the Baskervilles - a novel by Arthur Conan Doyle

 

Genre: Detective Fiction, Crime, Mystery
Published: 1902
Pages: 224
Tags: Fiction

When in doubt about choosing a murder mystery, I pick Sherlock Holmes. While, I felt the book was quite quick paced, it does not fail to keep you on your toes, when a murder mystery is intertwined with a gothic curse, how does a world-renowned detective, bring the light to the case.

Dr. James Mortimer, troubled with the death of his friend sir Charles Baskerville and a huge responsibility to fulfil the will left behind, comes to London to seek aid from Sherlock Holmes. Being men of science, Holmes and Watson refuse to believe anything illogical and embark on their journey to the Devonshire to add another adventure in their extensive list of solving the mysteries. 

Mortimer, anxious about the safety of the sole heir of Baskerville, Sir Henry, enlightens Holmes about the family manuscript which states an ancestral curse that follows the men of Baskervilles, being hunted by a vengeful hound and the statements of the villagers in Devonshire to have witnessed a monstrous dog with fiery eyes that glow in the dark. Also, a crucial piece of evidence - a giant paw print that james had observed near the Charles’s unharmed body. The confusion arises from whether the perpetrator is a rabid animal or a cunning individual who has managed to eliminate any traces of their presence. Adding to the suspense, the baronet Sir Henry receives a threatening note immediately upon his arrival in London, warning him to stay away from the Baskerville. who is this messenger, a friend warning him of the upcoming misfortune or a foe trying to scare him away for a greater benefit of their own.

When Watson, sherlocks partner, along with the baronet henry and dr. Mortimer arrive at the Baskerville Hall upon Holmes insistence, he uncovers a lot more characters involved in the death. No one is spared from the suspicions, including the Barrymore couple, who have served the house for generations. The immediate residents, Stapleton's, brother and sister and Frankland, a grumpy old neighbour.

Like every Sherlock Holmes novel, this one is too detailed for one’s good. As a reader I appreciate the elaborated descriptions about the scene. The addition of skeptical characters throughout heightens the sense of suspicion. Will they finally protect the only heir of Baskervilles? or will they fail in uncovering a crime.

* Please note that this review contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase The Hound of the Baskervilles via the links I have provided, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you that supports the blog. Affiliate links do not affect my opinion of this book. *


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