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12.4k reviews for:
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories
Robert Louis Stevenson
3.66 AVERAGE
12.4k reviews for:
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories
Robert Louis Stevenson
3.66 AVERAGE
enjoyed the use of he and i from jekyll. also very curious about the contents of the first draft....
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I believe Jekyll and Hyde have come to be misunderstood over the years, specifically the Jekyll part. Very interesting to return to the root story.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is a novella that explores the theme of split personality and the darker sides of human nature. I had first encountered the book years ago in German class, but this time I wanted to revisit it in its original language, plus, it was our book club pick.
Stylistically, I really enjoyed the writing. The language is rich and evocative, though admittedly not the easiest to read, especially if you’re not used to older English. What helped me was listening to the audiobook while following along in the text. That combination made the prose more accessible and allowed me to absorb the story much better.
In terms of entertainment value, I’d call it solid but not outstanding. The intrigue did grow on me after the first few chapters, but it wasn’t as instantly gripping as books I’ve read. The plot itself is well constructed and has a lasting impact, but the pacing might feel slower for modern readers.
What I truly loved was the setting. Stevenson paints an atmospheric picture of old London: foggy, eerie, and mysterious. It gave the story such a strong gothic vibe, which really enhanced the reading experience. The characters are described with less focus on outward appearances, yet they still come across vividly. In particular, the descriptions of Hyde struck me as genius. I still can’t wrap my head around how everyone perceives him as deformed, and yet no one can ever quite articulate what it is that makes him so disturbing. That vagueness is precisely what makes his presence so haunting.
All in all, this book is a strong and still relevant classic. It has earned its place in literary history and continues to resonate with readers today. While I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, I would definitely suggest it to those who enjoy gothic fiction, horror, or stories that grapple with the duality of human nature.
Also I wanted to mention how iconic Stevenson is for the line “If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek,”.
challenging
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dit boek heeft een èrg lange buildup die ook niet per se de aandacht grijpt. Er zitten hele mooie, beschrijvende zinnen in, waar ik helaas af en toe overheen las doordat het verhaal me gewoon niet zo greep, en ik het boek af en toe onbewust meer scande dan las. De plot-twist was erg goed! Ondanks dat dit een klassieker is met vele adaptaties kende ik het verhaal niet en was ik dus ook echt verbaast. Ik denk dat het boek anders nog een stuk minder boeiend was geweest. In ieder geval, niet het beste boek, maar wel een goede herfst-klassieker.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I've known this story my whole life, from seeing Looney Toons take on this story to reading an abridged version as a kid. This is my first time with the original, and I can see why it's a classic of horror/sci-fi.
Dr Jekyll creates a potion to separate his evil and base thoughts and emotions from his virtuous gentlemanly self. This other, Mr Hyde, takes over eventually. In Victorian England society demands one rise above these base thoughts, by separating them out Jekyll tries to have his cake and eat it too, but man does not exist as separate beings, and it treats him apart, both physically and mentally.
Great audiobook performance from Richard Armitage.
Dr Jekyll creates a potion to separate his evil and base thoughts and emotions from his virtuous gentlemanly self. This other, Mr Hyde, takes over eventually. In Victorian England society demands one rise above these base thoughts, by separating them out Jekyll tries to have his cake and eat it too, but man does not exist as separate beings, and it treats him apart, both physically and mentally.
Great audiobook performance from Richard Armitage.