Tag: Classic Books Review

In this celebrated work Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde’s most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind.

To be honest this book was okay. I had some high expectations for this book because I’ve heard amazing things about this book but of course this book didn’t live to all of my expectations. 

There are some parts in this book which dragged on too long and they really could have been cut down in my opinion. But I’ve found it very interesting, enjoying and engaging overall. And this book gotta be one of my favourite classics so far in my reading journey.

The characters here are okay. I liked them but nothing more than that. Some sides characters felt like the same characters but in different clothes. But they main characters in this book were amazing 

The main character is one of the best characters I’ve seen so far. Because we easily see his development from going being the nice and kind guy to his downward into cruelty.

The writing style here was amazing. It was very gothic which I always enjoy in horror books.

The ending here was very sad, but it was an ending which was very good to this book and it was an ending that the book and we as readers deserved.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

Robert Louis Stevenson’s masterpiece of the duality of good and evil in man’s nature sprang from the darkest recesses of his own unconscious—during a nightmare from which his wife awakened him, alerted by his screams. More than a hundred years later, this tale of the mild-mannered Dr. Jekyll and the drug that unleashes his evil, inner persona—the loathsome, twisted Mr. Hyde—has lost none of its ability to shock. Its realistic police-style narrative chillingly relates Jekyll’s desperation as Hyde gains control of his soul—and gives voice to our own fears of the violence and evil within us. Written before Freud’s naming of the ego and the id, Stevenson’s enduring classic demonstrates a remarkable understanding of the personality’s inner conflicts—and remains the irresistibly terrifying stuff of our worst nightmares.

I was very impressed by this book. Because I’ve expected to not like it like most classics but in fact this book is one of the best classic books I’ve read so far.

The plot in this book is a horror book but much rather a thriller / mystery book. Of course there are some murders in this book. But most of the book is about finding the mystery of Mr. Hyde and who he is. The plot itself pretty much reminds me of old timey schizophrenia, but it was super fun to read this book and see what will happen next. 

The characters here are good. Of course there are some characters who I didn’t like but the main character Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde very truly amazing and I loved them which I gave this book some extra points for.

There isn’t so much action here but there is a lot of wondering and mystery which I personally enjoy when it happens. 

The action taken place in old London, which is an amazing setting for any thriller or horror book or movie in my opinion.

The beginning of this books is a police investigation which it intrigued me personally and it really was an amazing start to this book in my personally opinion.

Dr. Jekyll is the good one here and Mr. Hyde is the evil one. And it pretty much shows the good versus the evil. 

The writing style here was amazing, it felt like going back in time and watching this all happen rather reading this book.

The end in this book is just as amazing as the beginning in my opinion. Because the ending includes psychological and philosophical apotheosis with Doctor Jekyll’s journal which explains how it all happened and how doctor Jekyll went to being mr. Hyde.

I Give This Book 4 / 5

A rich selection of background and source materials is provided in three areas: Contexts includes probable inspirations for Dracula in the earlier works of James Malcolm Rymer and Emily Gerard. Also included are a discussion of Stoker’s working notes for the novel and “Dracula’s Guest,” the original opening chapter to Dracula. Reviews and Reactions reprints five early reviews of the novel. “Dramatic and Film Variations” focuses on theater and film adaptations of Dracula, two indications of the novel’s unwavering appeal. David J. Skal, Gregory A. Waller, and Nina Auerbach offer their varied perspectives. Checklists of both dramatic and film adaptations are included.

I had high expectations for this book because it is a classic and I’ve heard dozens of good feedback and reviews about this book. And I gotta say that this book lived up to my high expectations.

The writing style was amazing. And the old English really helped to set the mood for this book and made the whole plot even better. 

The plot here was just amazing, I felt like a real life story in a way which I love when this happens in horror stories especially with Draculas and other classic monsters like mummies, Frankenstein and the non than the count Dracula himself.

The victorian horror is the thing I love the most in books and TV shows. And the fact that this is a classic made this entire book and plot even better.

This book is a masterpiece which everyone should read at one point. Because many horror books and TV shows have been influenced by masterpieces like this one.

I give this book 5  / 5