The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: The Real Story Is Somewhat Shallow Compared To Other Adaptations

The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Smoothie Review

Okay if you have been reading the smoothie reviews up until now, then you clearly know I love the classics. Jules Verne. HG Wells. Robert Lewis Stevenson. I love them all. But despite my love, there are still a few that I have not read yet. In this case I decided to read “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

So what is it about? Well given the world we grew up in, we should all have a clue. We’ve seen this tale from many versions of media, ranging from plays to horror movies to Bugs Bunny to bad hallmark adaptations and most importantly the very silly one off of the Van Helsing film. We all know it is about a man who creates a potion that triggers his dark half and transforms his figure. And I’m not spoiling anything here. But I now realize that the story is not centered on that only. Unlike all the adaptations I’ve seen, the original follows Mr. Utterson his kind hearted lawyer (Yes. You read that right) who investigates into the mystery of Mr Hyde when Dr. Jekyll leaves his inheritance to him. He is a evil man finds Mr. Hyde and as he digs deeper he feels that Dr. Jekyll may be in danger. Evidence suggests at first that Hyde may possibly be threatening Dr. Jekyll, so Mr. Utterson continues investigating until he reveals the bizarre truth.

The good? Well it’s a classic. Its paced well. It doesn’t hang up on small things and stays focused. And I have to say keeping it in the format of a mystery did help it a lot.

The bad? The story is very short. Detail of environment is minimal. But I won’t complain to much about it because the story is 150 years old. I was a bit disappointed by the ending. It ended with Utterson reading the doctors journals discovering how the doctor ruined himself by dwelling the form of a monster. Yet after the letter I felt there should be more. The family of Dr. Jekyll or even Utterson’s reaction were flat in emotion about the whole situation. I felt there should be no reaction and there was none.

Overall, it is still a classic. Is it as good as The Worlds of The Worlds, or Treasure Island? Not really. But it does fair providing that it is a very intriguing short read.

Overall Rating : The Real Story Is Somewhat Shallow Compared to Adaptations

Three smoothies out of 4

P.S. Like books, then check out my book and ebook website, Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

A Clean Sweep : Sadly, A Very Mediocre And Shallow Story In Laurell’s Collection

A Clean Sweep By Laurell K Hamilton

This yet another short out of Strange Candy collection by Laurell K Hamilton. So here is a review of “A Clean Sweep.”

So what is it about? It is about a superhero called Captain Housework. Despite the silly name he had saved lives and cities from man eating mildew, Dr Grimes, evil storms, and the dust bunny gangs. And within the last decade all the villains had went into retirement. Given his name people are now calling him through the superhero hotlines and then reveal they just want him to clean the house. He had became the emergency maid. And he hates it. He misses the good old days of crime fighting and can not stand being used like this. And lets just say this is the story where Mr. Housework reaches his snapping point.

So the good? It’s light hearted. And its one rare occasion where we get a chance to see Laurell K Hamilton try her hand at new material. Something that doesn’t involve monsters. So in a sense it’s like a breath of fresh air. Also she kept her wry sense of humor. I loved the ending.

So the bad? Well it’s sad, but I have to regrettably say Laurell was lazy with this one. Yes. I say lazy. There is hardly any detail at all. The sense of being pulled into the world that she uses on the reader in all of her other works is not here. And I’m not sure why. It just doesn’t feel like her. It’s a skeleton of a story not fleshed out. Therefore, it is shallow and very short.

Overall it’s nice and cute. But I can’t recommend it to anyone. It’s not bad. It just should have been so much better.

2 smoothies out of four.

Overall rating: Sadly a very mediocre and shallow story in Laurells’ collection

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/