show_no_mercy 's review for:

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

3.5

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

This is honestly the most random edition. Apparently it was originally part of a father's day gift set along with moisturiser which is a very strange concept to me but I'm not a man so what do I know. It is also mistitled because it actually contains two stories The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and The Bottle Imp. Obviously I knew what I was getting myself in for with the first one, pretty standard for spooky tales of the time. Weird things happen and the mystery is conveniently solved by a detailed letter left behind. It was fine, held my interest well enough and didn't overstay it's welcome. But to be honest the fact it was based on an actual doctor who was convicted of murder is more interesting to me and you can see Stevenson trying to grapple with the duality in a competent if basic way. The second story was what bumped this up for me because I love a scary fairy story and that was the vibe it gave. Cursed bottle that promises untold riches and if you die while it is in your possession your soul goes to hell, also you have to sell it to someone at a loss to get rid of it meaning eventually someone will be stuck with it for good. That is drama I can get behind. All in all it was a decent read, I was dreading that I would hate it like I hated Frankenstein but fortunately we were spared.