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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Following Sterling's spectacularly successful launch of its children's classic novels (240,000 books in print to date),comes a dazzling new series: Classic Starts. The stories are unabridged and have been rewritten for younger audiences. Classic Starts treats the world's beloved tales (and children) with the respect they deserve.
A single person—but with two personalities: one that’s noble and kind and another that’s pure, repulsive evil. Robert Louis Stevenson’s engrossing masterpiece about the dual nature of man—and a good doctor whose thirst for knowledge has tragic consequences—serves up all the suspense and satisfying chills one expects from the best horror and science fiction.
A single person—but with two personalities: one that’s noble and kind and another that’s pure, repulsive evil. Robert Louis Stevenson’s engrossing masterpiece about the dual nature of man—and a good doctor whose thirst for knowledge has tragic consequences—serves up all the suspense and satisfying chills one expects from the best horror and science fiction.
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Published August 18, 2020
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About the author
Kathleen Olmstead
68 books20 followersKathleen Olmstead is the author of several Classic Starts books, including Anne of Avonlea and Moby Dick, as well as Jacques Cousteau: A Life Under the Sea and Matthew Henson: The Quest for the North Pole, both in the Sterling Biographies series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 17, 2022
This was one weird read. It's kind of narrative about the complexities of science & the duplicity of human nature.
“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. ”
Story is told through POV of a lawyer Mr Utterson who has no clue as to who is Mr Hyde and his connection with Dr Jekyll.
Throughout the book, characters are confused about duality of human nature. We as a part of society, repress the bad or evil qualities & implore everyone to bring out good ones. But is it always possible? For normal people? Or for those who have great ambitions in life?
" 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.”
We human beings always have been on a quest to discover something new, while in the process we lose things that should matter the most to us, without realisation of what trap we are falling into or sometimes even digging up our own grave along the way. Ain't pollution and nuclear weapons perfect examples of man's greed?
“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”
As Newton's third law says : For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Sometimes a man's desire for achievements rather than an innate degradation in his soul is responsible for drawing a wedge in his conscience.
A must read this one.
“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. ”
Story is told through POV of a lawyer Mr Utterson who has no clue as to who is Mr Hyde and his connection with Dr Jekyll.
Throughout the book, characters are confused about duality of human nature. We as a part of society, repress the bad or evil qualities & implore everyone to bring out good ones. But is it always possible? For normal people? Or for those who have great ambitions in life?
" 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.”
We human beings always have been on a quest to discover something new, while in the process we lose things that should matter the most to us, without realisation of what trap we are falling into or sometimes even digging up our own grave along the way. Ain't pollution and nuclear weapons perfect examples of man's greed?
“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”
As Newton's third law says : For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Sometimes a man's desire for achievements rather than an innate degradation in his soul is responsible for drawing a wedge in his conscience.
A must read this one.
May 9, 2022
"if he shall be Mr. Hyde, i shall be Mr. Seek!"
iconic lmao.
iconic lmao.
January 14, 2022
"Over time I had succeeded in dividing the two sides of my nature, the good and the evil. I wish I was in no sense a liar, as both sides of me were true."
I like this book. Because it tells you that in life, you may have an evil side, and a good side.
Though, I find it a bit confusing but I read it again.
I like this book. Because it tells you that in life, you may have an evil side, and a good side.
Though, I find it a bit confusing but I read it again.
April 18, 2020
I have always wanted to read the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Wonderful book. It would have been a 5 star book, the only issue I had with it was how abruptly it ended. I felt cheated out of Mr. Utterson's final thoughts on his dear friend Dr. Jekyll and his descent into mad scientist. However, we are left reeling with unanswered questions at the end of Dr. Jekyll's signed confession.
January 24, 2022
3.75⭐ El final mejoró todo el libro.
September 4, 2022
I am so happy my library had this book, it's one of my favourite classics.
The story is such fun to follow and see how it unfolds. Love this story and the interesting characters.
The story is such fun to follow and see how it unfolds. Love this story and the interesting characters.
June 8, 2023
Langere versie had beter geweest
January 28, 2023
I guess it is worth more stars than this as it is targeted at a younger audience. I started reading it in the classroom with my students and they might be better judges but alas I left the school before conpleting it with them and this have finished reading it on my own. The discussion topics at the end are nice for the classroom but yeah, the story was kind of underwhelming, especially as the ending is already common knowledge.
February 26, 2015
Saya masih berharap saya membaca buku ini tanpa saya pernah mendengar cerita tentangnya dari teman. Membaca buku misteri dalam keadaan kamu sudah tahu akan jalan ceritanya bukanlah satu misteri. Perasaan teruja dan rasa ingin tahu mengendur.
Cerita ini tentang hakikat manusia. Yang sememangnya ada sisi baik dan buruk. Kerana pada kita ada malaikat dan syaitan. Ada nafsu dan iman. Kerana itu sebagai Muslim, kita diingatkan dengan sifat Munafik. Berkelakuan baik di hadapan manusia dan bermalasan bila sendirian. Menyedari sifat Munafik dan kehinaannya buat kita berusaha mengubah diri. Mahu sentiasa jujur. Kerana yang mahu kita persembahkan segala amalan adalah kepada Dia Yang Mengetahui.
Dan kehidupan Dr Jekyll adalah kehidupan kita. Yang ada sisi baik dan jahat. Beza kita dan dia, kita percaya penyelesaiannya adalah pada diri sendiri, cenderung ke arah spiritual dan tidak pula kita cuba rungkaikan secara saintifik dan logika akal. Ternyata Mr Hyde lagi cepat berkembang dan sedikit demi sedikit menidakkan Dr Jekyll. Dan itu juga kita. Sisi baik sentiasa penat, lambat, menyusahkan. Sisi jahat sentiasa kelihatan mudah dan menyeronokkan. Tapi kita percaya akan mujahadah.
Kalau dalam cerita ini Mr Hyde menang dan menguasai. Kita kembali merenung diri kita. Sama ada Dr Jekyll yang sedang menang atau Mr Hyde sedang menguasai. Antara iman dan nafsu. Pilihan sentiasa di tangan kita.
Cerita ini tentang hakikat manusia. Yang sememangnya ada sisi baik dan buruk. Kerana pada kita ada malaikat dan syaitan. Ada nafsu dan iman. Kerana itu sebagai Muslim, kita diingatkan dengan sifat Munafik. Berkelakuan baik di hadapan manusia dan bermalasan bila sendirian. Menyedari sifat Munafik dan kehinaannya buat kita berusaha mengubah diri. Mahu sentiasa jujur. Kerana yang mahu kita persembahkan segala amalan adalah kepada Dia Yang Mengetahui.
Dan kehidupan Dr Jekyll adalah kehidupan kita. Yang ada sisi baik dan jahat. Beza kita dan dia, kita percaya penyelesaiannya adalah pada diri sendiri, cenderung ke arah spiritual dan tidak pula kita cuba rungkaikan secara saintifik dan logika akal. Ternyata Mr Hyde lagi cepat berkembang dan sedikit demi sedikit menidakkan Dr Jekyll. Dan itu juga kita. Sisi baik sentiasa penat, lambat, menyusahkan. Sisi jahat sentiasa kelihatan mudah dan menyeronokkan. Tapi kita percaya akan mujahadah.
Kalau dalam cerita ini Mr Hyde menang dan menguasai. Kita kembali merenung diri kita. Sama ada Dr Jekyll yang sedang menang atau Mr Hyde sedang menguasai. Antara iman dan nafsu. Pilihan sentiasa di tangan kita.
May 20, 2017
Very easy to read and fascinating.
I really do think that the Classic Starts is a good way to help young readers to build the love of reading.
I really do think that the Classic Starts is a good way to help young readers to build the love of reading.
May 19, 2022
The novel mysterious novel exhibits the theme of "Good v. Evil" and the two sides of one man, as Jekyll (the good) was trying to compress Hyde (the evil) from taking over his body, and that also shows what the "dissociative identity disorder" is capable of. It was intriguing to see how the mystery was solved, and how you can see not so similar scenarios of the second personality of someone murdering or causing malicious acts, but how many people alter their way of being in front of someone, and be completely distinct with others. I would 95% recommend this book, as it just wouldn't serve as entertainment, but create a new perspective on the way you see or think of others. The 'downside' I've found while reading it is that it might sound a bit vague at first or throughout some parts.
September 25, 2022
Not going to lie this is probably one of my favorite young adult / children's book I've read and are very long time. I love the plot twist of the idea that Dr Jekyll was in fact actually Mr Hyde. And the fact that every story and person is connected somehow was also very nice to read the letters and the twists and turns that each characters opinion and thought brought to the overall case was really nice and it kept me engaged which is very hard for me to do when reading old children's book that I used to read as a child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2020
This book is about step in the strange world of Dr Henry Jekyll, a handsome and respected physician; the hideous and vile Edward Hyde; and Mr Utterson, Jakyll's friend and lawyer.Here beneath the rain and the fog the dark London Streets locks a shooting secret waiting to be revealed.
February 26, 2021
Wonderful book.
Hanya saja saya berharap ada akhir tentang apa yang dipikirkan sang pengacara. Meskipun tidak ada, buku ini tetap sangat bagus dengan akhir dari pengakuan dr. Jekyll.
Buku klasik yang membahas dua identitas dalam satu tubuh. That's look like DID in real life.
Hanya saja saya berharap ada akhir tentang apa yang dipikirkan sang pengacara. Meskipun tidak ada, buku ini tetap sangat bagus dengan akhir dari pengakuan dr. Jekyll.
Buku klasik yang membahas dua identitas dalam satu tubuh. That's look like DID in real life.
March 8, 2021
Read it with my 11-year old son and his reaction at the big reveal was priceless! Very enjoyable to read with someone who was innocent as to the story of Jekyll and Hyde. Perfectly written rendition for his age and a handful of juicy illustrations to boot!
March 24, 2021
didn’t think this would be my thing but i found this book randomly in my house so i read it and was pleasantly surprised.
read it in a day, partially as this editions adapted for children but also because i found it interesting and gripping, i wanted to read on to see what would happen next !!
read it in a day, partially as this editions adapted for children but also because i found it interesting and gripping, i wanted to read on to see what would happen next !!
February 23, 2023
A very nice abridged version of the classic story…Adapted in a style that makes for a good introduction into Classic Horror with a sensibility for the younger reader. A great way to introduce a child into the joy of reading.
October 10, 2024
Was a fun abridgement of the story. Kinda made me want to read the original, but maybe another time. I definitely got the just of this story being a horror story. I really liked it and the thoughts it provoked in me.
September 27, 2020
Fascinating, lots in common with the book The Picture of Doran Gray by Oscar Wilde.
January 13, 2021
This version of the story felt too clean and maybe even censored. I expected more, but it’s my fault for reading a retelling rather than the original — but it is what was available at the time. I’ll just have to read the original and compare.
January 27, 2021
I have loved this story since I was a kid. This book is well written; the author makes the story understandable for younger audiences. I love this entire collection of classic starts.
June 25, 2024
honestly w ogole nie sluchakam ale mysle se gdybym sluchala to byloby to nawet 5/5 ale to bylo takie boring ze bez jaj. naprawde nie sluchalam aiem tylko ze kto kogos zabil lol
October 21, 2024
Brought me back to my childhood 😌
March 8, 2025
“If I am the chief of sinners I am the chief of sufferers also”
April 19, 2025
Hay gente que no sabe que su Hyde es su personalidad al completo.
July 17, 2025
what an easy read, really love the writing style speaking as a non native speaker
August 11, 2025
I JUST WANNA BE JEKYLL BUT IM ALWAYS FIGHTING HYDE!
October 21, 2021
Boys say 3.5 stars
July 13, 2022
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a quick, snappy, ever so slightly disturbing afternoon read. Vaguely reminiscent of Frankenstein, this story follows lawyer Gabriel Utterson as he tries to unmask the mystery around the strange behavior of his good friend, Doctor Henry Jekyll, and how it's connected to one Edward Hyde. Described as a rather small, rather wicked man--which makes me think of a cross between an evil munchkin and Gaara from Naruto--Mr. Hyde has proven himself to be a rather ruthless character. So why is Jekyll so quick to defend him? What's going on?
It's one of those stories framed like a mystery, and then the final chapter pulls back the curtain and we get the source of it all recounting everything: the who, the what, the how, and the why. As I said, it's a pretty quick read, and there's a part of me that appreciates it; no extraneous details, get straight to the point. But there's another part of me that thinks this short story really had some potential to be broadened and made into something even bigger, even more terrifying. Yet, it wasn't, so I'll stick to just talking about the actual story.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is ultimately a story exploring the evil within all humans. It's personified as a split personality type thing, and I don't know if this was intentional or not, but it actually ends up perfectly depicting Jungian psychology. Specifically, it can be linked to his views on evil and the devil.
The first of three stages focuses on an undifferentiated view of good and evil, seen through Dr. Jekyll solely being Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Hyde is sstill inside him, but he hasn't been identified or even named yet. We know it's there though. Yet, after messing around with chemistry and biology and what have you, we get the distinctly different personality of Mr. Hyde. This in turn matches Jung's second stage of good and evil being perceived as distinctly different entities: all good in one being, and all bad in another. Yet, as time goes on, the line between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde becomes blurred. Parts of each personality start to slowly bleed into one another, ultimately signifying we have reached the final stage. This is when we understand that there is good and evil in all of us. The ending of the story kind of breaks away from the theory, but you know, we don't have to talk about that. We can just focus on the fact this is a really interesting story exploring the darkness in the human soul.
It's one of those stories framed like a mystery, and then the final chapter pulls back the curtain and we get the source of it all recounting everything: the who, the what, the how, and the why. As I said, it's a pretty quick read, and there's a part of me that appreciates it; no extraneous details, get straight to the point. But there's another part of me that thinks this short story really had some potential to be broadened and made into something even bigger, even more terrifying. Yet, it wasn't, so I'll stick to just talking about the actual story.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is ultimately a story exploring the evil within all humans. It's personified as a split personality type thing, and I don't know if this was intentional or not, but it actually ends up perfectly depicting Jungian psychology. Specifically, it can be linked to his views on evil and the devil.
The first of three stages focuses on an undifferentiated view of good and evil, seen through Dr. Jekyll solely being Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Hyde is sstill inside him, but he hasn't been identified or even named yet. We know it's there though. Yet, after messing around with chemistry and biology and what have you, we get the distinctly different personality of Mr. Hyde. This in turn matches Jung's second stage of good and evil being perceived as distinctly different entities: all good in one being, and all bad in another. Yet, as time goes on, the line between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde becomes blurred. Parts of each personality start to slowly bleed into one another, ultimately signifying we have reached the final stage. This is when we understand that there is good and evil in all of us. The ending of the story kind of breaks away from the theory, but you know, we don't have to talk about that. We can just focus on the fact this is a really interesting story exploring the darkness in the human soul.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews