Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Bring the Classics to Life Series, Level 4) » (~)

The Victorian poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson once said, "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." The author of the magical A Child's Garden of Verses and the chilling The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson indeed planted powerful literary seeds -- that grew into undisputed classics.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was published as a "shilling shocker" in 1886, and became an instant classic--even read by Queen Victoria. Inspired by three specific scenes in a dream Robert Louis Stevenson had (including one in which Mr. Hyde transforms right before the eyes of his pursuers) the story follows Dr. Jekyll, who by day works as a respectable doctor and by night roams the back alleys of old-town London as a monstrous criminal.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is still considered one of the best stories ever written about the complexity of the divided self--the good and the evil sides of humankind. With fascinating insights into Victorian society and early psychology, it is also a remarkable snapshot of its time. With striking illustrations and extended captions unique to the Whole Story, this striking edition provides background information modern readers could otherwise access only through a broad range of supplemental research. This distinctive approach places Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde--first published in 1886--within the context of its era, bringing it vividly to life.

157 Illustrations
92 Captions