Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Review

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Other Stories by Robert Louis Stevenson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A classic tale of gothic horror and moral introspection.

Lawyer Mr. Utterson’s attention is drawn to the disreputable deeds of one Mr. Edward Hyde, whose behaviour is increasingly causing strife amongst London residents.

Utterson is deeply troubled by Hyde’s association with his client, Dr. Henry Jekyll, but Jekyll assures him he has no cause for alarm.

But when Hyde commits a brutal murder, Utterson is determined to aid his client escape this vile character. But the secret of Jekyll and Hyde is beyond any horror he could have imagined.

'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', the classic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886, is a tale of gothic horror, blended with mystery and dashes of detective and science fiction, seasoned with folkloric and religious undertones and a touch of moral and political allegory. We witness events through the experience of Utterson - his increasing concerns regarding his client Henry Jekyll's association with Edward Hyde and his succeeding determination to help his friend and thwart the schemes of the fiend, descending into a revelation of body horror that pushes the boundaries of both science and faith and our perceptions of good and evil.

Exploring themes such as the duality of human nature; the concept of a higher and lower self, with morality and civility juxtaposed with our basic instincts; the masks we wear in public versus our private selves; and substance misuse, Stevenson delivers a perfectly realised tale – compelling and vividly told, steeped in atmosphere and suspense, its conclusion both thought-provoking and chilling. 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' was one of the earliest gothic horror tales I became acquainted with and remains one of my favourites. Along with 'Dracula, 'Frankenstein' and 'The Mummy', it cemented my love of horror fiction, and is one I often enjoy revisiting in one form or another, as well as finding inspiration from it in my own writing.

Inspiration for the story reportedly came to Stevenson in a dream whilst suffering ill health, and may in part have been influenced by reaction to the real crimes of Eugene Chantrelle, who murdered his wife and whom Stevenson had met, and William Brodie, a housebreaker and thief, whom Stevenson had made the subject of an earlier play. It has also been claimed that the case of Louis Vivet, one of the earliest patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (many will be familiar with the more commonly used term (until recently) of multiple personality disorder); however, research suggests the publication of the study of Vivet's case came after Stevenson's tale, with no evidence to suggest he may have been aware of it prior to writing his story.

The novella was first adapted for the stage in 1887, and many adaptations for the stage have followed throughout the next thirteen decades. In 1908, it was first adapted for film, the first of many screen adaptations throughout the century and into the next, with some versions less than faithful to the original text. To date, the story has been adapted over a hundred times, yet, despite this familiarity, the original story loses none of its power.

Thrilling and mesmerising, 'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' remains a gothic classic, frothing and bubbling with horror and suspense.

[This edition also includes four horror short stories and the Christmas novella 'The Misadventures of John Nicholson'.]



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