Early this morning I watched a recording of last night’s rugby World Cup match between South Africa and Tonga.
Later I posted
being a submission for the latest challenge from denzilnature.com
The whole world knows that the phrase Jekyll and Hyde indicates a person with two sides to their personality – one good and one evil. But how many people, even if they know that this originates in Robert Louis Stevenson’s masterpiece of insightful depiction of humanity’s dual nature; still more how many of us know the detail of the mystery, horror, and science fiction encompassed in this short novel?
Mervyn Peake, author and illustrator of his own Gormenghast trilogy, was an inspired choice of illustrator for
of which
these are the boards.
With honest revelations of his own duality Stevenson made use of his personal early life in producing a first version which pleased him, in three days, then falling into a rage when his wife – his best critic – told him it wouldn’t do. The next day he burnt it, acknowledged that she was right, and wrote what we have today in three more days. I am indebted to John Hampden’s knowledgable and literary introduction for this information.
The author’s complex and insightful observation of human nature is used to full effect as he explores his theme.
Having presented the illustrations as double spreads in order to display some of the prose I trust I have not really given too much detail of the story which is the author’s vehicle for his exploration. The results of a disastrous experiment are only revealed after the climax.
Stevenson’s customary use of weather conditions; the play of light and dark; and night and day in order to portray the mood of the story even penetrated my own reading experience. The morning had been dull, dry, warm, and overcast. Suddenly, in mid afternoon, a flash of lightning was seen through our window; we were plunged into darkness, before which we had had no need of our electric lights; a clap of thunder sent the garden birds scattering as if a raptor were in the air; and glistening leaves on the trees threw off bouncing raindrops. This was when I had reached the crescendo of the book.
Later, as in one of the last pages I read a description of bright spring day, I realised we didn’t need our electric lights any more.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s chicken jalfrezi and korma according to our preference; peshwari naan; pilau rice; and vegetable samosas, with which she finished the Zesty and I drank more of the Shiraz.
What excellent timing! Dang it all, I had forgotten that Stevenson wrote Jekyll and Hyde, a perfect story about the divided self.
Thanks very much, Laurie
A most appropriate weather day for the sharing of this tell. Somehow I never realized that Jeckyll and Hyde was written by Stevenson. I had certainly heard the story but never knew who the author was.
Thank you very much, Pat
I love how the weather paralleled your reading of the book!
I’m pleased about that, Liz. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love when Mother Nature adds her 2 cents, or rather 2 pence to befit a situation. Don’t you? How does she know? 🙂
Quite so, Donna. Thank you very much
Wow–that’s wild how the weather and your reading interacted!
I think this is one of Stevenson’s books that I did read long, long ago.
I thought I recognized the illustrator’s style from other books you’ve shared, so I was pleased to see I was right.
You were right, of course, Merril. Peake’s style is ao quirky. It was almost 50 years ago when I last rad it.
I seem to remember reading an illustrated version when I was child. Perhaps it was abridged.
This is one of my fave stories!!!
I love that Nature decided to get in on the act…make your reading come alive!!!
I don’t startle easily, but I’m pretty sure THAT combo would’ve made me jump!
Did you jump? Even a bit?
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Me, jump? You are joking! 🙂 X
🙂
A nice conjunction of nature and literature.
A classic story/novel by a truly great writer Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
My favorite novel by Stevenson. As I prepared my sons for our move to the USA, this was one of the books that I read out loud with my sons, taking turns, to help them to practice their spoken English.
I’m pleased to bring up that memory, Rosaliene. Thank you very much
Marvelous illustrations.
Thanks very much, Dolly. I agree
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Years ago, I saw a TV documentary which said that Jeckyll with a short “e” had never ever been pronounced as such but was always “Jeeeeekyll”. Apparently the change came with the first performance of the play on stage in Edinburgh, when Stevenson told the actor how he must pronounce the name, but the actor refused and insisted on “Jekyll” with the shorter vowel. I can’t remember the name of the actor, but he was famous in his era. Is this a widely known story , do you know?”
I couldn’t find anything about this, John.Thank you very much.
This has been a favourite story of mine – first read an awfully long time ago and has been dipped into several times since.
That is good, Anne. I first read it almost 50 years ago. Thank you very much.
The wife usually is the best critic 🙂 Perfect illustrations!
🙂 Thank you very much, Ribana
The perfect backdrop for your reading … and beautifully expressed.
Thank you so much, Val
A unique classic.
Thanks very much, GP
Fascinating how mother nature played a role in your book reading. I love the photos of the moon.
Thank you very much, Eugi. It was rather amazing
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Derrick, I didn’t know any of this. You’ve inspired me to pick up a copy and read it. Thank you for sharing the interesting details. (A novel in three days…wow.)
Thanks very much, Alys. It is, of course, very short.
So Stevenson wrote this story! The phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” has been commonly used here over the years. I vaguely remembered the actual story, but did not know who wrote it.
Thanks very much, Lavinia.
Beautiful illusyrayions that convey the spirit of the story
Thank you very much, Sylvie
Heavens to Murgtriod! Talk about Life imitating Art. 😀
Thanks very much, Widders