Rating: 
Summary: Good book, poor edition
Review: Dover Publications has a curious inclination toward publishing classic masterpieces in disgraceful editions. Dover Thrift Editions, in particular, carry this tendency. These books are usually about as thin and flimsy as your everyday mousepad. While holding them, they remind you of the cheap programs you receive at baseball games or concerts - although even these programs at least *look* better than the Dover disgraces. I mean, can you honestly glance at the cover of this thing and not have an internal urge to puke?_The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde_ is a masterful story. I absolutely love it. But while holding this particular volume, it didn't feel masterful - it felt cheap, like a low-class mystery. Sure, the book only costs a buck, but this edition is practically blasphemous to Mr. Stevenson's good name. Have the decency to purchase a quality edition.
Rating: 
Summary: The classic horror tale of the beast buried within us
Review: "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is assured a place in the history of horror fiction because it the literary classic that represents the archetype of the werewolf (the human with the hiding inside). Along with Mary Wollstonecraft's "Frankenstein" (the Thing Without a Name) and Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (the Vampire) Robert Louis Stevenson's novella is part of the gothic foundation of the modern horror story. All have in common the fact that they promise to tell a story that might best be left untold, which, of course, is exactly the sort of story we want to hear. Given that Stevenson was writing when the genre of horror fiction was not recognized as such, it is surprising that "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is cast in the form of a mystery novel. Stevenson invites his readers to try and get ahead of the story, to put the clues together and come to the conclusion. Today it is nearly impossible to pick up this story and not know the "secret," but if you think back to the late 19th-century when this story was written you can get a sense for how Stevenson used the biases and limitations of his readers to his advantage in keeping them from what we might consider to be an obvious conclusion. More importantly, Stevenson is writing several decades before the writings of Sigmund Freud revolutionized the whole idea of human psychology. Yet we can certainly find evidence of the conscious and subconscious mind of which Freud would write. Stevenson reinforces this metaphor with the block of buildings that divides this particular part of London, with one side representing the civilized world of a respected physician and the other side the squalor of the world inhabited by an inhuman creature who gives in to his every earthly desire. The novella also speaks to the topic of evolution, with Hyde being described as "ape-like," reinforcing the idea that our most human attributes remove us ever further from the category of mere animal. Of the three classic horror novels, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is the most accessible. Not only because of its shorter length, but also because its evil is more realistic, even in terms of our imagination. We might be unable to reanimate the dead or to become the walking dead, but we can certainly relate to the idea of unleashing the beast buried with us. Even if we could not, we can recognize the "werewolf" in the real world in the form of serial killers who try to show a civilized face to us in public. This is not to say that the novella is simplistic, for Stevenson offers a sophisticated narrative. If this is one of those literary you have never read because you already know the story, then you should take out an evening to sit down and finally get around to reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Very attractive edition
Review: This review is for the edition published by the University of Nebraska Press, and it's based more on the design of the book than on the story itself. This is a perfect example of how to make a work of classic literature more appealing. Honestly, it's no surprise to me that most people avoid classics, seeing what they're given... Publishers' attitudes towards classic literature these days seems to be to produce the cheapest version that they can with no regard to the appeal of the book. They're already ahead in that they don't have to pay the author any royalties, but then most will also use an obscure painting or generic photo for the book cover that usually has very little to do with the contents and makes for an overall boring package. It certainly doesn't help the reader's attitude toward the book in particular. Apparently, the UNP understands this, and they decided to do something about it with many of their books. This particular edition of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" has a cover and illustrations by Barry Moser, woodcut artist extraordinaire. The pictures are very atmospheric, with a heavy reliance on shadow. This makes the dark nature of the story all the more substantial. Even the typeface looks good. Overall, a lot of care was put into the production of this edition. The book is about the same size as a mass market paperback, so it will fit easily on your shelf. That's a sensible thing, as the story is actually quite short, so there's no reason to release it in an oversized format with enlarged type and an increased price. In case you're wondering; yes, I do like the story. In fact, I've enjoyed it ever since I was a child. This edition just makes it all the more special to me. The only negative I can see is that you have to pay ... retail for a fairly small book, but the overall package makes it worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Basic, classic, short- relevant themes.
Review: This book provides a great read considering how few pages it is. The plot itself is entertaining, at least the first time you read it. It's a compelling mystery that is finally solved as the clues are put together. Subsequent readings proved to be more bland, as I already knew the solution of the mystery, which is a big part of the book. Reading about the ending may spoil it for you, but I think it will still be worth your time to read about it unfolding for yourself. Dr. Jekyll is a rich, respected doctor who nonetheless has needs within himself that are socially unacceptable. He indulges in this part of him, Mr. Hyde, by taking a drug he devised. This way, he can attempt to satisfy these desires while still being able to come back to being the respected Dr. Jekyll. Eventually, the sickness of Mr. Hyde grows to be too much for Jekyll to take, so he decides to do away with Hyde. However, we see that those desires and his enjoyment of Hyde aren't totally gone, because he keeps a place and everything for Hyde. Eventually, Jekyll mutates into Hyde against his will, without even taking the drug, and this marks the beginning of the end of Dr. Jekyll. Hyde is a symbol of anti-social desires within us, the "Id" as Freud called it. Hyde can also symbolize an addiction, avarice, hatred, or any other vice. Hyde is a thing that people may discover and try to play with behind closed doors (Mr. "Hide"). The lesson is that we can't play with the animal nature of ourselves without becoming that animal, as the difference between Hyde and Jekyll grew blurrier throughout the book until there almost was no difference. It eventually can take control over us and no longer stay hidden. Similar themes are found in "Frankenstein."
Rating:
Summary: truly demented!
Review: To say that Mr Hide in this story in question, i.e., The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, et al, has a slight case of neurosis would be an understatement by gross and barbaric proportion. What we here see in this story is a mans descent into true neurosis and insanity beyond aid. The story is brilliantly written by Stevenson and this audio does it justice. In fact, the reader of the book brings this neurosis and insanity to a whole new level of deviant mindset and behavior and I dare say gives the listener quite a fright and does remind one of how close (a brilliant and man, learned in many arts, a man of letters, a scholar and this case of a doctor, i.e., a man of healing both of mind and that of body) can come to completely losing all his capacities and by doing so, becoming mentally insane and neurotic. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a clasic so, naturaly, I had high expectations. I certainly was not let down. It has a totally unique style with much detail and extensive writing. Yet, this novel is a very quickly read novel, unlike other excessively detailed books like Dracula. This book is not boring. This book is fun. It doesn't ruin the plot with too much detail like other books. Other fantasy books are usually not even close to realistic. Whereas Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is close to being conceived realistic. This book has a general morbid feeling to it where other fantasies are sometimes cheerful and happy. Robert Louis Stevenson is a realy good writer in my opinion.
He uses a very wide range of vocabulary. Stevenson uses many 19th Century terms that seem weird and different to me.
One thing bad about his writing is his punctuation. He uses way too many semicolons and comas. He makes one sentence out of six or seven sentences.
This book was not the best book I ever read, but was not the worst either. it was mediocre. however It was miles ahead of Dracula. Dracula is boring, whereas Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is fast paced, quick, and fun to read. its pritty morbid which is kind of a down side, but Since it is very short it is a good book on my list.
Rating:
Summary: Short and Sweet
Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
An exciting and short book
Mr. Gabriel John Utterson and his nephew Richard Enfield discover a man who is ragged and filthy. His name is Edward Hyde. This creature tramples a little girl, and then comes out with ten pounds in gold and a one hundred pound check with the name Henry Jekyll. Mr. Utterson investigates and finds that Henry Jekyll's will gives most of his possessions to this Edward Hyde. When Mr. Utterson talks to Henry Jekyll he finds Dr. Jekyll doing an experiment. Dr. Jekyll's experiment is to bring out the split personality in him. He concocts a formula that changes him into this split personality. Bt his experiment goes wrong, Edward Hyde is trying to take total control of Henry Jekyll's body. Dr. Jekyll has a limited amount of formula to keep Mr. Hyde away. What will happen when Dr. Jekyll runs out of formula?
"All at once, I saw two figures: one a little man who was stumpy along eastward at a good walk, and the other a girl of maybe eight or ten was running as hard as she was able down a cross street. Well, sir, the two ran into one another naturally enough at the corner; and then came the horrible part of the thing; for the man trampled calmly over the child's body and left her screaming on the ground."
"He put the glass to his lips and drank at one gulp. A cry followed; he reeled, staggered, clutched at the table and held on, starring with injected eyes, gasping with open mouth; and as I looked there came, I thought, a change-he seemed to swell-his face became suddenly black and the features seemed to melt and altar-and the next moment, I had sprung to my feet and leaped back against the wall, my arm raised to shield me from the prodigy, my mind submerged in terror.
'O God!' I screamed, and 'O God!' again and again; for there before my eyes-pale and shaken, and half fainting, and groping before him with his hands, like a man restored from death-there stood Henry Jekyll!"
· Gabriel John Utterson is a lawyer of a rugged countenance. He never smiled. He's lean, long dreary, dusty and lovable.
· Richard Enfield is a nephew of Mr. Utterson who is well loved throughout the town.
· Dr. Lanyon is a wise old colleague of Henry Jekyll. He also knows Mr. Utterson.
· Henry Jekyll is a scientist. He is very smart and discovers a new split personality formula.
The story takes place in London, England in the 1800's or nineteenth century. It is an old fantasy novel with a little suspense mingled in. The problem is Dr. Jekyll's experiment sort of traps him in the body of Mr. Hyde. He can only stay Dr. Jekyll when he has drinking the formula.
The author has made this book very suspenseful. He has done that by shifting the point-of-views from person to person and in many different forms. He has made this writing very pithy by using semi-colons and comas a lot. The characters are also described well as with the setting of the book. The plot is just a very good plot.
People who like to read suspenseful novels would like this because it's suspenseful. Mystery readers will like this book. Also, people with great imaginations will like this book because it gives a lot of details that paint great pictures.
This book isn't like any other book I have ever read. It has a totally unique style with much detail and extensive writing. Yet, this novel is a very quickly read novel, unlike other excessively detailed books like Dracula. This book is not boring like To Kill a Mockingbird and Dracula. This book is fun unlike those boring books. It doesn't discombobulate the plot with detail like those other books. This book is humorful unlike those stern previously mentioned books.
Other fantasy books are usually not even close to realistic. Whereas Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is close to being conceived realistic. This book has a general morbid feeling to it where other fantasies are sometimes cheerful and happy. This book is different than Bram Stoker's work. Dracula (Bram Stoker's work) is very boring, morbid, long, and not fun at all to read. Robert Louis Stevenson is a much better writer according to me.
The author uses a very wide range of vocabulary. It uses many 19th Century terms that seem weird and different to me. This is very impressive to me. One thing bad about his writing is his punctuation. He uses way too many semicolons and comas. He makes one sentence out of six or seven sentences. He is way too pithy.
This book was not the best book I ever read, but was not the worst book I read either. This book was mediocre. It was miles ahead of Dracula and To Kill a Mockingbird. Those books were boring, whereas Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is fast paced, quick, and fun to read. Since it's morbid it's not really good. Since it is very short it is a good book on my list. To read this book is very easy. All you have to do is read until you want to stop. Since this is short and fun you will finish it in no time. Students out there if you need to read a book and you have to read a book, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is your choice. Mainly cause its short and sweet.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is, at its core,a story about man's dual nature (good & evil). At its time, it no doubt was a highly original plot as far as fiction went. Today, it would need alot more to not be considered trite and cliched. After all, it is a problem that has since been solved -at least since the late 1960s. In the original Star Trek episode where Kirk is split into his 2 selves (one being wholly good, the other wholly evil) we learn that neither self can live on its own - that each one adds a certain strength to the mix that the whole is richer for having. Still, for a late 19th century novel - its fantastic. At only 54 pages in this edition, it says what it has to and no more. And there is someting about Stevenson's writing which sets him apart from his "contemporaries" in the Sci FI/Fantasy category - H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. The only downside - perhaps its the Dover Thrift typesetting or maybe its Stevenson's style, but some of the paragraphs feel like they eat up several pages. For a spoiled, 21st century reader this can be taxing to the attention span at times. In all, an amazing read. Also recommended "The Invisible Man" & "Island of Dr. Moreau" by H. G. Wells; "Tales of Terror and Detection" by Edgar Allen Poe and " Great Sherlock Holmes Stories" - alll inexpensive Dover Thrift Editions of more great psychological fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A classic mystery
Review: Despite everyone knowing the basic plot, the story does enfold into a nice mystery (though not really a horror story). A hideous man, Mr. Hyde, suddenly appears out of nowhere and seems to befriend a likable Dr. Jekyl. Mr. Hyde lives in his residence and enigmatically stays there for long periods of a time. Only later on does his friends and acquaintances find out that Dr. Jekyl is Mr. Hyde. This novella is an engrossing tale of a divided man. This mystery, though already known, is a great tale worthy of being a classic. For a book written over a hundred years ago, it's suprisingly readable, mysterious in the beginning, and exciting at the end. Even the different narratives hightens this tale. I recommend this book. It's a good, short mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Dover edition all you need it to be- - - book fabulous
Review: "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is fantastic book that is subtly chilling and a classic mystery/horror novel. That being said, Dover Thrift Editions is a real bargain at less than a dollar. Unlike other editions that group this novel into a book with the author's other stories, Dover just gives you the novel, unabridged and raw. No introductions, criticsm, footnotes, etc. So if all you want is the novel save a lot of paper and money and buy this wonderful book in Dover Thrift Edition.
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