The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Book description
Dr. Henry Jekyll is a well-liked and respected physician. When he calls upon his lawyer, Mr. Utterson, to draw up a new will to include a strange new beneficiary, Mr. Utterson takes it upon himself to investigate the identity of this strange man. But nothing sufficiently prepares him for the…
Why read it?
3 authors picked The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I know plenty of people have seen film adaptations of this story, but in Stevenson’s novel, the drug takes on a larger, more sinister role. In the story, Dr. Jekyll – a respected and well-meaning scientist – creates a drug that can alter his personality to allow his baser, more evil elements to come to the surface. It essentially summons his “alter-ego” Mr. Hyde. As the good doctor becomes more and more dependent on the drug, his evil counterpart becomes more and more the prominent personality. At its surface, the novel is a classic exploration of good vs. evil, but…
From Jane's list on science fiction that use an invented drug.
This was a story I first read as a little kid after first reading Treasure Island by the same author. It is a narrative about the complexities of science and the duplicity of human nature. Dr. Jekyll is a kind, well-respected and intelligent scientist who meddles with the darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his 'second' nature which leads up to a twist at the end. Kind of like having an evil twin but not really. This book inspired a character in my story that is the backbone of the whole tale and wouldn’t really work…
From John's list on madness, fear, and the unknown.
Dr. Jekyll’s point of view triggers so much in me, I couldn’t leave his story off the list. I’m currently obsessed with Integrated Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which is all about everyone having different parts. IFS posits that none of these parts are bad, but when Dr. Jekyll cleaves himself into disparate halves, his Mr. Hyde runs amok and is very much characterized as evil. Hyde’s a clear allegory for addiction and rage. Other qualities, like sex, are unfortunately largely ignored. Reading this through a modern lens, I longed for messages of integration (rather than the judgey disintegration that follows).…
From Steven's list on world destroyers, egomaniacs, and mad scientists.
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