My 19th ranking Book is a relatively short book in comparison to the novels I normally find myself reading- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Just who is this evil man? A lawyer and a doctor embarking on their own investigation are distressed to find that Mr Hyde is an acquaintance of their respectable friend Dr Henry Jekyll. Worse still, Dr Jekyll refuses to listen to stories of Hyde’s disturbing behaviour, and flees into his laboratory to work when confronted. But as the months turn to years and the violence turns to ruthless murder on London’s streets, Dr Jekyll is finally forced to confront the chaos, and to admit that he can no longer hide from Mr Hyde…
We are escorted back to Nineteenth century London, which can be a very dangerous place. Beneath the orthodox morals of Victorian society lurks a violent madman who emerges at night…to commit the most cold-hearted of crimes. Nothing is known of him except his name: Mr Hyde.
Just who is this evil man? A lawyer and a doctor embarking on their own investigation are distressed to find that Mr Hyde is an acquaintance of their respectable friend Dr Henry Jekyll. Worse still, Dr Jekyll refuses to listen to stories of Hyde’s disturbing behaviour, and flees into his laboratory to work when confronted. But as the months turn to years and the violence turns to ruthless murder on London’s streets, Dr Jekyll is finally forced to confront the chaos, and to admit that he can no longer hide from Mr Hyde…
This short novel, or novella, whose full title is The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, was written by Scotsman Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. It is one of his best-known books and has remained in the public imagination for well over a century; its sheer eeriness and brilliantly shocking twists have inspired numerous popular adaptations. This is partly why it ranks poorly on the countdown; purely because the ending is iconic and - when reading - I already knew the shocking plot twist. Nevertheless, the book resides on my list for its implicated themes, thought provoking motifs and the sheer terrifying glimpse into the dark depth of the mind, which we receive from both Jekyll and Hyde.
