A review by kmecholsky
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

4.0

This has an odd narrative structure. I knew the general story, of course (who doesn't?), but the actual work's framing raises some interesting questions concerning Stevenson's intentions behind the book's composition. For instance, there are virtually no women in it, which is odd for a Victorian novel. It's all about tense male friendships; indeed, even Jekyll's checkered past hints at indiscretions too delicate to mention (i.e. homosexuality). Hyde seems particularly invented to be violent and sexual, but you can only guess at the sexual side. If he is meant to be simply violent, then Jekyll's uncertain past (which everyone knows, but no one will discuss) might have been more disconcerting to a contemporary audience. What is it that Jekyll did that his friends know, but have (sort of) forgiven?

I was excited this book raised more questions than it answered.