Great review Fred! I’ve been on the fence with this one, but if it’s that short I should just knock it out sometime. It was cool learning more about Stevenson himself.
I'm enjoying learning more about the authors. At one point I was asking if Jekyll and Hyde were an extension of Stevenson's internal conflict between what he considered virtue and vice. He must have been envious watching his friends enjoy life while he was bedridden; and, being brought up in a religious environment, must have known what he was feeling was not virtuous.
Never get tired of these bloopers. It’s never a good start to a book review when you can’t remember what book you’re talking about 😂. Turned out to be a great review, though!
Great discussion! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Your comments about the embodiments of virtue and vice make me think of how poorly the physically infirm were viewed and treated. Also, I loved hearing the Dracula score during your title cards 😊
Thanks! I looked up the inspiration to this novel, and apparently it was based on someone named Brodie in the 1700s. To me though, after reading about Stevenson's illnesses, I felt that Jekyll and Hyde was more an extension of Stevenson's feelings of envy towards those who are healthy, and knowing that this feeling is not virtuous. The novel really made me step back and consider this.
I first read this book in 8th grade and, honestly, I remembered very little about it other than the general outline of the story. However, I read it again last year and there was SO MUCH I had forgotten!
I love that! I was the same way with Animal Farm - I hated this book as a teenager, but as I read it again as an adult I was able to appreciate it more. I've got a couple more books I need to "re-read" as an adult :)
I've often wondered what it would have been like to have read this book in an era before the story became so well known through all the many media adaptations which gave away the ending.
I read that as a boy and didn’t like it. Maybe I was expecting the figure from Universal Pictures? But your video helped me to understand why. That last chapter-I’m sure I couldn’t have tolerated it then (it might be up my alley now). No plans for a reread, but I have Stevenson on my radar with a copy of _Kidnapped_ that I picked up recently.
I would not have been keen on 19th century works when I was a kid either, but I am re-reading books I read in high school and "re-examining" them from a more adult perspective :) Hoping Kidnapped is a good read.
Thanks! The story had more meaning for me after I read more about the author. I honestly think Jekyll and Hyde are an extension of his personal struggle between his bouts of health/sickness, and his envy seeing his friends enjoy the things he couldn't take part in.
I really enjoyed Jekyll and Hyde. Did you find the first chapter to be more difficult and confusing than the rest of the book? Just finished The New Arabian Nights, a collection of Stevenson's short stories for RogersCheapOldBookClub. If you enjoyed Jekyll I recommend reading the first story in that book entitled The Suicide Club. This one is darker than I expected, Didn't much care for the rest of the stories though (which I found disappointing having enjoyed his other writings).
I'll have to pick up the New Arabian Nights then, thanks! The first chapter of Jekyll and Hyde was okay for me - I knew of the story going in and saw the first chapter (ie, Jekyll being a complete jerk and running over the little girl) as a build up to what was to come.
Interesting fact :) I've not seen any film based on the novel - the one with Frederick March was filmed in 1931 and I just watched the trailer - will have to find it and watch it all now :)
Great video! I liked this one a lot too. I listened to an audio version narrated by Ian Holm which was fantastic.
Thanks! So far Horror Mayhem has been 2 for 2! Next up is the Island of Doctor Moreau :)
Great review Fred! I’ve been on the fence with this one, but if it’s that short I should just knock it out sometime. It was cool learning more about Stevenson himself.
I'm enjoying learning more about the authors. At one point I was asking if Jekyll and Hyde were an extension of Stevenson's internal conflict between what he considered virtue and vice. He must have been envious watching his friends enjoy life while he was bedridden; and, being brought up in a religious environment, must have known what he was feeling was not virtuous.
Never get tired of these bloopers. It’s never a good start to a book review when you can’t remember what book you’re talking about 😂. Turned out to be a great review, though!
Thanks Dave! :)
Great discussion! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Your comments about the embodiments of virtue and vice make me think of how poorly the physically infirm were viewed and treated. Also, I loved hearing the Dracula score during your title cards 😊
Thanks! I looked up the inspiration to this novel, and apparently it was based on someone named Brodie in the 1700s. To me though, after reading about Stevenson's illnesses, I felt that Jekyll and Hyde was more an extension of Stevenson's feelings of envy towards those who are healthy, and knowing that this feeling is not virtuous.
The novel really made me step back and consider this.
@@ReadbyFred Another inspiration was likely Eugene Chantrelle, an acquaintance of Stevenson who was also a murderer. Chilling stuff.
I first read this book in 8th grade and, honestly, I remembered very little about it other than the general outline of the story. However, I read it again last year and there was SO MUCH I had forgotten!
I love that! I was the same way with Animal Farm - I hated this book as a teenager, but as I read it again as an adult I was able to appreciate it more. I've got a couple more books I need to "re-read" as an adult :)
Excellent review! I particularly enjoyed your introduction. Glad to have discovered your channel.
Thanks! I'm happy to have you here :)
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this as a whole. This is a classic that I really want to get back to eventually!
I quite enjoyed the last chapter. A great read :)
What fun to hear more about RLS and not just a review of the book!
I really like his works.
Thanks Deea! I enjoyed this one. Others have mentioned Kidnapped which I might pick up.
I enjoyed this story as well. Great review, Fred. Love the bloopers.
Thanks! Bloopers are always fun to watch (not so fun when filming :p )
I love stevenson's work. His style is so accessible. "Kidnapped" is my favorite.
Ah, the second person who has mentioned/praised Kidnapped. I'll have to pick this one up then :)
I've often wondered what it would have been like to have read this book in an era before the story became so well known through all the many media adaptations which gave away the ending.
It would have definitely been a twist of a story, where everything is explained in the final chapter. Great read :)
Fantastic review 😊
Thanks Bad! It was a great book, really makes one contemplate good versus evil.
I read that as a boy and didn’t like it. Maybe I was expecting the figure from Universal Pictures? But your video helped me to understand why. That last chapter-I’m sure I couldn’t have tolerated it then (it might be up my alley now). No plans for a reread, but I have Stevenson on my radar with a copy of _Kidnapped_ that I picked up recently.
I would not have been keen on 19th century works when I was a kid either, but I am re-reading books I read in high school and "re-examining" them from a more adult perspective :) Hoping Kidnapped is a good read.
This is certainly a good short read. It was 3 stars for me. It was so interesting hearing the author's story.
Thanks! The story had more meaning for me after I read more about the author. I honestly think Jekyll and Hyde are an extension of his personal struggle between his bouts of health/sickness, and his envy seeing his friends enjoy the things he couldn't take part in.
I read this once many many years ago... I'd love to read it again one of these days 🤗
It was a great last chapter! Definitely an October read :)
I really enjoyed Jekyll and Hyde. Did you find the first chapter to be more difficult and confusing than the rest of the book? Just finished The New Arabian Nights, a collection of Stevenson's short stories for RogersCheapOldBookClub. If you enjoyed Jekyll I recommend reading the first story in that book entitled The Suicide Club. This one is darker than I expected, Didn't much care for the rest of the stories though (which I found disappointing having enjoyed his other writings).
I'll have to pick up the New Arabian Nights then, thanks! The first chapter of Jekyll and Hyde was okay for me - I knew of the story going in and saw the first chapter (ie, Jekyll being a complete jerk and running over the little girl) as a build up to what was to come.
Little known fact, it’s pronounced Jee-kul (rhymes with ‘seek all), not ‘Jeck-ul’. The film featuring Frederick March is wonderful.
Interesting fact :) I've not seen any film based on the novel - the one with Frederick March was filmed in 1931 and I just watched the trailer - will have to find it and watch it all now :)
I really like the plot . The battle between good and evil side of dr Jekyll .
I enjoyed it too. The final chapter is what brought it over the edge for me, so well done :)