Robert Louis Stevenson: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

[creighton]

Any one recomend Jekyl and Hyde? I'm thinking of reading it. Who's the author?

 

[steffee]

If you mean The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde then the author is Robert Louis Stephenson.

 

[pink shadow]

I've read it, it's good, although it loses some of the punchline if you know the ending (which you probably do). It's an interesting look on human nature, it's a classic and if you don't like it it's only app. 100 pages so you'll read it in a day or two. I definitely recommend it.

 

[steffee]

Oops, the author is Robert Louis Stevenson, rather.

 

[PipPirrip]

Strange case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Are there fans of J&H out there?

I ask, as I have just finished this and was somewhat underwhelmed. In particular, I wasn’t convinced by the duality – Jekyll retained his depraved nature even after Hyde appears, but there didn’t seem to be any evidence of the reverse – as described Hyde is without any redeeming nature. As far as I can see you have two characters – the unremittingly i/a-moral Hyde and the flawed human Jekyll. If there were some consideration of the mixed nature of a human’s make-up (both good and bad) shouldn’t there be another character – the good version.

It seems that rather we are more on the level of a morality tale –“keep your vices in check lest they overwhelm you” rather than something more sophisticated.

Does anyone feel that I am doing this novel a disservice?

 

[Fantasy Moon]

I wasn't impressed by it when I read it either. I liked the idea of the story, but it was too short and more could have been done with it.

 

[Gilgamesh]

I am a sane person trapped in the body of a lunatic.

I had always thought the book was about something like your quote: Lunatic trapped in a Sane person. And everyone has it. The Doctor, he is revered in society, yet, inside, he has dirty, horrific desires that cannot be commited by an upright citizen. So, he wants to be mutated into this grubby and wicked man and does his inner deeds and he gets addicted.

At the end, his doses for the drug is increased and you know how it ends.

 

[chuephödli]

I suspect it is the kind of book one "knows" and possibly quotes, but does not really read anymore: the story itself has almost become a cliché. Like Don Quijote, say.

I had to read it for school, which tends to add a special taste to any reading experience. Put differently, I am probably biased.

 

[brookiedawn]

I read it on my own free will (non school reading), and I thought it was okay...not great by any means, in my own opinion. I won't read it again...but it will stay on my shelf.

 

[The Mythwriter]

I read it, and I liked it a lot, even if you know the story it has a lot to offer. My only complaint was it's rather short by comparison with most works, and I honestly prefer longer stories. It's one of those books you must read though!

 

[nickupton]

I am another reader who found this book a little disappointing. It was okay but not what I was expecting and I was definintely surprised when I saw how short it was.

 

[Nellie]

I've just finished reading the short story "The Body Snatcher" by Stevenson and really enjoyed it. I thought it was very atmospheric. I haven't read Jekyll though.