The New Annotated Strange Case Of Dr.Jekyll And Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, edited by Leslie S. Klinger, introduction by Joe Hill

The Mysterious Press, Penzler Publishers

ISBN: 978-1-61316-321-4

ISBN eBook: 978-1-61316-322-1

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition ( Bookshop.org |  Amazon.com )

The New Annotated Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde is a handsome presentation and scholarly analysis of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novella. Most readers are familiar with the general outline of Stevenson’s story from the dozens of adaptations in movies, stage plays, television productions and comics over the past century. But fewer have actually read the story. Klinger presents the original story with helpful footnotes along the margins that do not impede the reading. Numerous interesting illustrations of theatrical lobby cards and movie posters accompany the body of the story.

However, the gem of Klinger’s book is his 46 page Foreward. The author describes Stevenson’s family life and literary career. The social, scientific and literary environment of the Victorian age are presented in detail: there was interest in the duality of good and evil contending within a person, and this became the kernel of Stevenson’s story. Other writers and scientists also dealt with this concept, e.g. Sigmund Freud and the superego, ego and id. Klinger describes the extraordinary popularity of Stevenson’s serialized story after its initial publication and its powerful impact on literary and theatrical works that followed.

Klinger’s writing style is direct and accessible to the general public. The large-sized format (8 ½ inch by 10 ½ inch), cover, binding and paper are of high quality. Klinger’s book is a “must-have” for every library.

Highly recommended

Reviewed by Robert D. Yee