Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Classics Without All the Class

May 30, 2015 Ebster Davis rated it it was amazing

This book was probably the first classic story I read outside of "the great illustrated classics" series as a kid (of course, I read the illustrated version first ;))

I as a kid I was a bit intimidated by the style of writing. A lot of it is told through letters, or the POV of Dr-Jekyll's-really-clueless-friend-who's-name-I-can't-remember. And that guy was so dumb he couldn't pick up on what was going on until Jekyll freakin spells it out for him at the end!

I remember thinking Jekyll could have r This book was probably the first classic story I read outside of "the great illustrated classics" series as a kid (of course, I read the illustrated version first ;))

I as a kid I was a bit intimidated by the style of writing. A lot of it is told through letters, or the POV of Dr-Jekyll's-really-clueless-friend-who's-name-I-can't-remember. And that guy was so dumb he couldn't pick up on what was going on until Jekyll freakin spells it out for him at the end!

I remember thinking Jekyll could have really handled the situation better by, like, asking for help. Today I can't help but see it as a reflection of the stigma of mental illness in that day (Dr Jekyll and Bertha Rochester would probably have a lot to talk about...not that they were alive at the same time anyway, but they're both fake so anything could happen!). It makes me wonder if Jekyll would have faired better had he been a man of the current era. (I'd like to think so, if Bruce Banner is any indication...)

I also really liked how he's this really respectable doctor and genuinely decient person as an adult, but back in the day (as a teenager) he had to deal with some stuff. And it turns out all of it is still inside him and (*spoiler alert*) his brain uses it to make an alternate personality (*end spoiler*) Weirdly enough, it makes me think of young adult missionaries.

Note: I noticed this book wasn't on my goodreads shelf after watching this video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GShoezs...

It makes me a bit sad that NOWHERE in the book do Jekyll and Hyde converse in a gloriously, dark duet! :'(

EDIT: 7-17-15: OK I've changed my mind, this book is absolutely perfect exactly as it is. I've lost count of how many times I've listened to this book, but there is so much in here that's symbolic, and each time I notice something new. As an allegory, its an expertly crafted story. Utterson, Enfeild, Jekyll and Lanyon are joining Harry, Bilbo, Sherlock, Katniss and Alf of Fae on my list of all-time-favorite-fake people. Old rating 3/5. New rating 5/5. ...more

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