So then, it seems like it’s taking me forever to get this post up… Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is my first Robert Louis Stevenson book. I knew a little about this book, just enough to make me curious, so recently, I took a day and read it. (Yes, it only took me one day. I thought it would be longer than that!)
The Author:
Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Scotland in 1850. First studying law, by 1880, Mr. Stevenson had forsaken law school and was entrenched in his career in writing. Beginning with essays and pieces of non-fiction published in magazines, he didn’t publish his first novel until 1883. In 1880 Robert Louis Stevenson married an American named Fanny Osborne. He wrote a small handful of novels in his lifetime, including Kidnapped and the well-known Treasure Island. He died in 1894, at the very young age of 44.
Technical Details:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was originally published in 1886. Dalmatian Press published the book I read in 2004. It is a mere 116 pages, divided into 10 chapters.
The Story:
Mr. Utterson, an elderly lawyer, is a quiet and well-liked man. Several months before, Dr. Jekyll, his friend of many years, put a Will into his care that bothered him. In the event of the doctor’s demise or disappearance, all of his worldly goods were to pass to a certain Mr. Edward Hyde. The trouble is, little is known of Edward Hyde, and what is known, is despicable. When murder enters the equation, Mr. Utterson fears for his friend’s safety, but when Dr. Jekyll seems to disappear…
The Writing Style:
The writing style of the book is excellent! Mr. Stevenson had a way with words, which made even long narration, a delight to read.
The tone was serious, yet not dark. Mysterious, yet not depressing.
I will confess that I was not expecting science fiction, but Mr. Stevenson delivered a good blend of mystery and science fiction, that I found fascinating to read.
The Characters:
Mr. Utterson was a well-done character. He was well rounded, though perhaps a bit nosy. He really doesn’t seem to have much to go on in the beginning, but he keeps pushing it. Of course, it turns out that he has a reason to be concerned, but he didn’t know that. I didn’t find his character particularly enduring, but he was likable, which is good.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, respectively, were interesting, and well written. Dr. Jekyll’s narration in a couple of chapters, give a good insight into his character and personality, which would have been lacking otherwise.
The minor characters were few. In fact, this book contained very few characters at all, yet the story didn’t seem lacking as a result. Each character introduced, was done so for a good reason. There were no extraneous characters anywhere. In hindsight, I think I did picture the streets of London rather empty as a result, but it wasn’t something that I thought of at the time.
Cautions:
I would suggest caution in giving this book to younger children. A few of the elements discussed are dark, there is more than one description of unprovoked violence (nothing explicit, just not recommended for children) and some minor language.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed reading this book, and I think it is an especially good study for a writer. Then too, for a discerning reader, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde could well serve as an illustration of the folly and consequences when yielding to temptation. I can’t help but reminded of these verses in James chapter one:
“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”
To the KING be all the glory!
I really enjoyed reading that one. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I also read some of his short stories, they were really good. My favorite was Ollala (I think that is how you spell it) and Will o’ the Mill. Stevenson is the master at endings.
I went into this one rather hesitantly because I had heard that Mr. Hyde kept a woman at his house, but that must have been added by Hollywood.
Great review, and thanks for commenting on our blog so much.
~Nechet
I’ll have to look those up! He certainly was! His ending was very well done!
Must have been Hollywood.
Thanks! and thank you for commenting! Oh… and you’re welcome. I love reading your blog! :)
So glad you liked the book! The story has quite fascinated me since I first read it several years ago and it’s sobering moral has also been a reminder of the consequences of giving into the flesh. I need to track down our book and reread it sometime soon.
(If you like Robert Louis Stevenson, I’d recommend reading Treasure Island as well! That one was very good; I think you would like the main character a lot.)
~Jamie
It’s certainly fascinating! I hope I can write half as well someday!
I’ve got that one on my list. Hopefully if we join a library soon… :D
Very interesting and helpful. Dad and I were going through the book about a year ago but never finished, we had a little bit of a hard time understanding the words but in general it’s a good book.
Thank you for the comment, Aaron!! I always love getting comments from you! :D
Some of the words are difficult, especially if you’re not used to them! That’s one of the great things about it – I don’t think Mr. Stevenson used the same word twice, if he could help it! :p
I think Jamie read this book to me. I liked it! :)
:D