bookishevy's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I was introduced to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by a Bugs Bunny short called Hyde and Hare 🤣

I'm sure you've heard of Jekyll and Hyde syndrome when someone's personality changes into another that is volatile. In the short, the meek Dr. Jekyll keeps turning into Mr. Hyde, a green monster that terrorizes Bugs. In the classic Gothic novella, the change isn't as drastic, but it's enough to fool people into believing the respected Dr. Henry Jekyll and criminal Edward Hyde are two different men.

This story is better than I expected. Even though I knew going in that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person, it's still creepy fun following Jekyll's friend Utterson, a lawyer investigating the strange happenings between Jekyll and Hyde.

I like how Stevenson unfolds this mystery. Hyde is an enigma described as a deformity. People are afraid of him because he is witnessed committing violent acts. Utterson doesn't trust him and wants him out of his friend's life, but can someone as rational as Utterson be able to accept the truth?

Hyde is Jekyll's dark side that allows him to be cruel without repercussions, but the "good" doctor is in a predicament when it becomes clear that Hyde wants to be the dominant personality. 

Duality is the main theme, but two other themes are prominent: mental illness and substance use. Imagine having another personality that's so unstable that it completely changes how you present yourself. I'd self-medicate, too 🥴

One of the main differences between the personalities is the voice. Toward the end, as they struggle for supremacy, Richard Armitage oscillates between Jekyll's lilt and Hyde's severe tone with such ease 🤌🏾

This great story was made exceptional by Armitage's performance. 

I'd listen to that man narrate a phone book 😩

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georgewhite92's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Unfortunately, i found it pretty slow going and, because the twist is so well known, the story isnt that engaging either.

I dont think its a bad book but I feel like this it is of its time. I can imagine that, when it was orginally written, it would have been a real page turner but it just didnt keep me that interested.

Its hard to relate to the characters when they are all rich, white men with self-aggrandising notions.

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philosopher_kj's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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kathi_kathi's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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yolanda_h's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25


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martyrbat's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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pinetree_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A good classic. Although it might not be what you consider to be a particular "thrilling" book I was always tempted to just keep going.
It makes you think. But only if you want to.

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maryry's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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221bpinkst's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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insideunder's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A perfectly accurate adaption of the original novella. A good read to introduce the source material to younger readers who may be put off by the 'antiquated' language of the original. A fast read, and I enjoyed the art of Daniel Ferren. A bit simple and perhaps too fast for a tense mystery, but still fun.

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