Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde (1886) By Robert Louis Stevenson

"I learned to recognise the thorough and primitive duality of man; I saw that, of the two natures that contended in the field of my consciousness, even if I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radically both."

Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 Gothic novella is one of great acclaim, and has been on my to-read list for some time. I must admit, it is far shorter than I had expected, although this leant itself to a more concise narrative - something gothic literature is perhaps all too often adverse to.

"Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm."

While it was certainly readable, I was not so much a fan of Stevenson's dictation. Furthermore, I felt he spoke too much of some things and too little of others. Every so often, sentences would go on seemingly indefinitely, where more brevity would have been more appropriate and enjoyable.

"She had an evil face, smoothed by hypocrisy; but her manners were excellent."

The story structure was simple enough, and the chapters were well sized and divided. However, I was left with a distinct feeling of unfulfillment, that I attributed to a lack of true depth and exploration on what Stevenson was hinting at and seemingly addressing.

"You must suffer me to go my own dark way."

The story presents an opportunity to truly delve into the "duality of man", but instead seems to frustratingly gloss over it. There was also an undeniable disconnect between me and the characters. There was a lack of individual personality that lead to each character feeling rather similar in identity.

"All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone, in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil."

It is a shame to say, but I was hoping for, and, in truth, expecting, a better read. That said, Stevenson's most famous and successful tale is not without its strengths - the mystery element is well-written and intriguing, the linking up of events is smooth and the final paragraph or so is rather poignant, and perhaps the most impactful of any in the book.

"It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it."

Though I cannot rank this among the very best stories I have read, I equally cannot say I didn't enjoy it. There was nothing that I would explicitly label as poor in its nature or contents, but there was a definite sense of disappointment, and a failure to capitalise on its substantial potential.

"If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also."