mad_about_books's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While watching the 2015 series "Jekyll and Hyde" on PBS Masterpiece, I realized that although I know the story, I'd never actually read the novella. As I started reading Stevenson's words, I knew why I had never read it. For anyone immersed in modern horror stories, this is a difficult read. The language of this nineteenth century novella is turgid and yawn inducing. I found Jekyll and Hyde to be just above unreadable. Part of this is the style of writing, part is the Amazon Classics Edition's lack of editing. Dr. Jekyll is, was, and always will be Henry Jekyll, yet this edition refers to him as Harry on several occasions. Happily, the Amazon Classics Edition is no longer available. (It does remain in my Kindle library and can be reviewed on Goodreads.)
The story as we know it from stage and screen is all derived from the last chapter of the novella, "Henry Jekyll's Full Statement of the Case" wherein we are told of the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde in detail. Prior to that, the duality central to the tale is barely hinted at.
I can find a case to be made for mental health issues and drug abuse within its pages. Such conclusions would be far more modern than the time and place of the narrative. The study of mental health at that time was in its nascence and drugs that are illegal today then were not.
I suppose that afficionados of the gothic horror tale should make an effort to read this, but that might be an ask too far for all but the dedicated.
worthyprnce's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I honestly hated this. I thought it would be a fun read for October, but it did nothing but bore my every time I tried to read. It also turned out to be a poorly executed concept which was really disappointing for how classic the story is.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
mbradham's review against another edition
Just very slow, might try to pick it up again in the future.
rozenn_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
marthisuy's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
manona's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
absoluteaudacity's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I know times are different but I don't understand how this was scary!
trisreadssometimes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
Really appreciated the destination but absolutely loathed the journey! Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the earliest authors I read as a child. I found Treasure Island a slog to get through back then and this book also left me with the same feeling. How a concept sooo cool can feel soooo dull because of the writing is astounding. I still don't want to give up yet and will probably give a couple of his short stories a try. But I am starting to think, despite exciting concepts, the writing style just might not be my thing.