Dawn Yapps about Bookis
Today's Book: Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
This was a very different story than what I expected. The modern idea of Jekyll and Hyde is basically a Victorian Hulk sort of situation, a scientist transforming into a monster at inopportune times, but it's like, almost the polar opposite.
For one, it's Hyde thats the small and sniveling one, while Jekyll is a fairly well-built guy. Hyde is described as being an uncanny little freak like the site of him triggers some people's lizard brains and makes them instantly hate him. The transformation between Doctor and Mister is also only ever seen by one other character, and he was so disturbed he got physically ill and died a week later. like yeah that's great, make Hyde spooky again please.
Second, THERE IS NO SPLIT PERSONALITY IN THE BOOK. Jekyll is still fully conscious as Hyde, although he does say his thought process is different while as Hyde but that's probably from all the drugs in the potion. That to me was the biggest possible surprise. Jekyll uses Hyde as escapism, he can do whatever debauchery he wants as Hyde and have it be basically impossible to pin it on Jekyll.
Wile there is no split personality to go with the alter ego, Jekyll's sense of self is still in shambles. Like he takes pleasure in being Hyde, he's addicted to the anonymity of it, but when ever he does something awful he starts talking of Hyde like he's some demon lurking in him. He talks about how even when not Hyde he still puts on a facade to make it harder to connect the two, and by the end he talks about both of them like they're separate people from himself. Reminds me of that one Superman page.
I think it could be interesting to do a modern-day adaptation of the book, but just change Jekyll and Hyde's names I guarantee next to NO ONE will be able to pick up on it and preserve the plot twist sense it's like the only thing to survive the 100-year long game of telephone.