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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson

Start date: March 1, 2020

Finish date: March 31, 2020

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Why we're reading this: Revisit the Shelf, March 2020

Old School Classic Group Read, September 2014
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Old School Classic Group Read, September 2014

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What Members Thought

May 27, 2013 Franky rated it it was amazing

Reading Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I was reminded of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Both novels involve the idea of tampering with science in a controversial way and expecting positive results. Much like Victor Frankenstein learns that you can’t “play God,” Dr. Jekyll comes to realize the dark side of experimentation gone wrong. Neither character has the resolve to own up and take responsibility of their actions until things are well out of hand. Reading Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I was reminded of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Both novels involve the idea of tampering with science in a controversial way and expecting positive results. Much like Victor Frankenstein learns that you can’t “play God,” Dr. Jekyll comes to realize the dark side of experimentation gone wrong. Neither character has the resolve to own up and take responsibility of their actions until things are well out of hand.

As much as the novel illustrates how the results of science can turn awry, the story also questions duality within oneself. In the novel, the rational side (Jekyll) of a man is tempted into various forms of sin and sinister behavior (Hyde). One side soon becomes the more dominant of the two, and there is a struggle to escape from this dark side. When Jekyll becomes Hyde, he erupts into various forms of grotesqueness. Hyde is physically repulsive, but also repulsive in character. Hyde in many ways is an outlet for Jekyll to experience unrelenting freedom and “do as he pleases”, despite the costs or consequences. It’s ironic that this newfound “freedom” for Jekyll’s other self actually turns into a form of a prison, where he has to physically isolate and hide himself from society to protect others.

What simply amazing about this novella are the many morals it delves into and investigates. There are many thinking points about human psychology and human nature. In many ways, this novel is groundbreaking and innovative, ahead of its time. It’s easy to see why this novel has spawned countless film adaptations and productions, remaining quite popular and part of our pop culture.

Not only that, but this novel is just a great book, well written and with so many different elements. It has exceptional moments of suspense, mystery, philosophy, science, and a darkly Gothic atmosphere to lure you in. Stevenson’s novel is one to read, and then come back to and read again. ...more

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Sep 01, 2014 Katy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wonderful book and using a narrator as almost a sleuth adds to the mystery of the story.

It was an interesting way to narrate the story I thought. We see little of the action in the story, but rather are told it through the eyes of Utterson. Almost like we are partaking of gossip in the city, until closer to the end we actually see Mr. Hyde ourselves.

Indeed a classic.

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Mar 15, 2013 Leanne rated it liked it

Shelves: classics

I wonder how bizarre this book felt to Stevenson's first readers. The ending must have been a shock....or at least exciting. Since modern readers already know the punch line, the narrative feels tedious. Nevertheless, I love the concept of the story and I'm extremely curious to see the musical.
If you are looking for a horror classic, I prefer Frankenstein even though it is longer. ...more

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Dec 29, 2013 RebeccaErGlad MegetGlad rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literature, books-i-own

There are two stories in this book, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Bottle Imp.

J/H was a little disappointing. I think it has aged a lot, and, though it is scary, it's also kinda boring. Or, I thought the big revalation, explanation, whatever was a little bit too easy. Ok, but not amazing. 2,5 stars, even though it gives me pain, as it is such a classic.

The Bottle Imp I'd never heard if before. It wasn't ground breaking, but it was good, almost like a Hollywood blockbuster. It doesn't really sur ...more

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