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Summary: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Review
Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Review Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a thought provoking, entertaining novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. His intricate plot, themes, and use of symbolism make the novel fascinating to read. The concept is extremely mature and well developed. Also, Stevenson's unique point of view makes the novel even more interesting. The themes of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are important in the novel. The basic and rather obvious main theme is the duality between good and evil. The duality is manifested in two different ways: the respectable Dr. Jekyll and the evil Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is a hypocritical doctor who has an evil deep in side of him that he desperately tries to get rid of throughout the novel. He transforms into Mr. Hyde hoping to reduce his aggressions and obsession with his evilness. This, however, proves to be fatal.
Stevenson's unique point of view reinforces the mystery of the novel. The main point of view is of Mr.Utterson. He is a quiet, respectable lawyer who is extremely observant to his surroundings. Through his point of view, we see things just as they appear to him, making the novel interesting to read. Towards the end of the novel, we are introduced to two different narrators, Mr. Lanyon and Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Lanyon, the doctor, makes the novel clear and describes, in more detail, the process that transformed Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde. The last chapter, narrated by Dr. Jekyll brings the novel together. Dr. Jekyll plainly describes how the soul is made of two separate distinctions: the good and the evil. Dr. Jekyll's experiments with good and evil turn out completely failed.
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Summary: Not so fun
Review: I did not like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because it took too long to get to the plot. There was a lot of talking, but did not go into full detail of how he became Mr. Hyde. The author would even go back in time to things that had nothing to do with the story line. When I think of Mr. Hyde, I think of more chase scenes and anger. I also think of more scenes of Dr. Jekyll in his laboratory. The ending was also kind of plain and boring; I like endings that give me closure or an ending that hints of a second book. Older people who like old British novels would like this book because older novels were written in the same form. People who have a lot of time on their hands would like this book; it takes a long time to read it. People who read a lot and do not get bored by a slow book and do not fall asleep could read this book. British Literature majors would also like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because of the style of writing. If you get bored really easily and can fall asleep reading; then you should read this book.
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Summary: Shockingly good, though brief...
Review: I went into this book expecting something of the pulp monster story Hyde always becomes in the movies, and it's absolutely not what I got. What we have here instead is a wonderful little book that shoves an incredible amount of depth and character development into a book readable in a little over an hour. Really, an hour isn't much reading time to experience one of the great literary classics, so pick up a copy.
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Summary: Not What I Expected
Review: In this story, Mr. Utterson, lawyer and friend of Jekyll is trying through friendly concern to discover the truth about the young and disreputable Mr. Hyde who he believes is coercing the doctor. Jekyll is always one step ahead of him in covering up Hyde's true existence until Jekyll is no longer able to control his transformations and Utterson is called by the frightened servants to intervene. This was an enjoyable story though brief.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was remarkably subdued story from what I expected. Having seen the movie Mary Reilly previous to reading this book, I expected Mr. Hyde to be more fully developed. What Mr. Hyde does that is so 'evil' is never specified (I mean in terms of general lifestyle - the murder is covered). In fact, the only real reference we get to this life is the character of his dwelling and the presence there of penny novels (cheap, ill respected literature). Except for the murder of an undeveloped character and a general rudeness, we don't really get to know Mr. Hyde as the evil monster I expected. Mr. Hyde is afraid to leave the lab for fear of the gallows but that is as close to a manhunt as we get, unlike in Frankenstein where the chase seems to cover half of the globe or in The Invisible Man were a serious manhunt provides a great deal of action and pace. Mr. Hyde is also a great deal different from how he is represented by Hollywood (for instance, he is shorter than Dr. Jekyll). I guess I was expecting a more likable or romantic villain giving rise to more of a dilemma in trying to destroy him. This story should be read. I am not trying to "dis'" it. I just expected more out of it because later authors/producers pulled out of it way, way more than was in the original. What this story has is raw potential.
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Summary: "If he be Mr. Hyde ... I shall be Mr. Seek."
Review: After watching THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, I realized I had no idea what these character's stories were. Well, I had a peripheral memory of seeing a DORIAN GRAY movie, but... So I dive into this book first. Stevenson's language clips along very cleanly - the narrative perspectives are always true to their narrator. These older men - their friendships - their distress over some shadowy character that has come into and is ruining the life of a beloved friend... I never had the impression that this was what the JEKYLL/HYDE story would contain. This is no "monster story" - it is the story of the parts of ourselves that make us whole and what happens if that balance is upset - if one side is given favor - or perhaps if the other side is constantly supressed and never let free to express itself. And a side note: Doctor John Fell (1625-1686) is a symbol of "an instantaneous, intense, visceral, irrational dislike for another human being. Hate at first sight, one might call it."
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Summary: Great Read
Review: This book will hold your interest for all 57 pages and for only $1 it is well worth it. The story has withstood the test of time and will continue to do so. Even though you probably know what will happen in the end, the book is still a great read and when the end comes, you still feel that bit of shock and horror. Stevenson's prose is wonderful and the story is great. This would be a perfect book for a plane ride as you could finish this book while in the air. If you're buying something else, throw this book on the order with it, you won't regret it.
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Summary: A breath taking piece of eighteenth century literature
Review: In my opinion, I have found that "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson has been a rather intriguing piece of eighteenth century literature. For this entire piece of literature is seen through the eyes of Mr. Utterson, Dr. Jekyll's best friend.
If you do not already know, this book is about a good-natured Physician who found himself wanting to be evil. Thus, he (Dr. Jekyll) begins to experiment with chemicals in order to create a serum that will make him take on a different form (so he will not ruin his reputation or get prosecuted for his wrongdoings) and allows him become evil; Dr. Jekyll names his evil half Mr. Hyde.
After Mr. Hyde commits murder, Dr. Jekyll stops taking the serum; however, Dr. Jekyll would find himself changing into Mr. Hyde during the evening. It was too late, for Mr. Hyde's evil intentions became more dominant than the good-natured intentions of Dr. Jekyll.
Ashamed at what he had done and running low on chemicals, Dr. Jekyll begins to recreate the serum in order to cease the process of becoming Mr. Hyde. Upon recreating the serum, Dr. Jekyll finds out that the salt he used for the experiment was impure and that batch out salt is no longer available. In the end, Dr. Jekyll commits suicide leaving only his notes on the case study of Mr. Hyde as well as Mr. Hyde's lifeless corpse.
In retrospect, I conclude that this book might be difficult to read for those who are younger than fourteen or for those who have a disliking for eighteenth century literature. I have arrived to this conclusion due the fact that most of the sentences are extremely detailed and use scientific phrases. One may need to reread a paragraph in order to understand its full meaning.
On the other hand, the book was very well written which makes it easier for one to conjure up an image of what is going on in the text. Not to mention that each chapter leaves the reader in suspense until the next chapter is read. I recommend that people who are in love with a good mystery should read this book because the plot progresses at a steady pace. One could read this book in four days, reading one and a half hours each day.
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Summary: Good vs. Evil.
Review: The 'Strange Case Of Dr. Jerkyll And Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, the same author to bring us 'Treasure Island' and 'Kidnapped', seems to be a basic good vs. evil within the soul of man. Yet Dr. Jerkyll's problems dealing with the evil within turns out LESS than basic. In fact, while Jerkyll fights the evil it seems to grow, becoming stronger. Near the end Mr. Hyde is not only larger than before but seems to be able to appear at will. Yet this is not a DIFFERENT person, both men are the same, sharing the same desires.
Within each of us is a Hyde who wants to strike out, to crush those who hurt us or make fun of us. Why else would we love all those action flicks?
This is a timeless theme and something everybody has to deal with.
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Summary: Classic Mystery (post for Earney)
Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a psychological thriller depicting the duality of good and evil in man (and woman) and one's man struggle with his two natures. Which side will win out is one of the major themes of the novel. Another theme of the novel is hypocrisy and double-dealing. As the plot unravels, these two main conflicts resolve after a climactic and very shocking discovery. Because of its uniquely crafted plot, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a masterful tale of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed Stevenson's use of imagery, particularly the devil/fiend images, and figurative language throughout the book. Even his use of puns is fun -- "If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek." The narrator's description of Hyde is intriguing: Utterson says Hyde is not easy to describe; his appearance is displeasing, detestable. And he says Hyde must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although Utterson cannot "specify the point. He's an extraordinary-looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way." No gore is described; no specific description is given. The reader is left to imagine what this "deformity" might be. As the narrator states, Hyde "gave an impression of deformity without any namable malformation." I find the "non-description" very effective--it forces the reader to envision his own distinct image of the culprit. At other points, however, the narrator is more specific in describing Hyde. His use of strong diction draws the reader into the novel: "hissing intake of the breath," "snarled aloud," "savage laugh," "something troglodytic," "Satan's signature on his face." Since I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes and other classic mysteries, I would definitely recommend Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to anyone who shares my interests. This mystery is a solid thought-provoking book that includes shady characters, potions, eerie transformations, an oddly worded will, and sudden deaths. And all these details are covered in a book that can be easily read in a weekend!
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Summary: Why rate a classic?
Review: This book is a World Classic. What is the purpose of reviewing it? The book is a masterpiece. It is like reviewing the bible, there is no purpose.
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