Tasting the Classics

Book #12 – The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Not only a classic, but a classic of speculative fiction that I had not previously read. Seen adaptations, sure, including the BBCs recent Jekyll and the mediocre Mary Rilley. In fact, after watching the latter on Netflix Instant I acquired the book, but hadn’t cognitively connected that story to the Stevenson. I had figured Mary Rilley to be at least a literary exercise in telling a familiar story from a different angle, but I now see why an "in-the-house" perspective was used. I’m not sure when telling a story from the outside and then working inward went out of style, but it’s a style I’ve always liked. For better or worse, it has crept into my writing as well.

I haven’t read much Robert Louis Stevenson. I’d like to think I’ve read Treasure Island, but I really don’t think I have. I think he’s generally been consider a "boy" writer, which really isn’t any excuse.

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Read Jekyll and Hyde in preparation for FiestaCon. Another piece they’ve included on their reading list is Avram Davidson’s "Or All the Seas with Oysters." Great piece of classic SF.