The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson: 52 in 52 Book #7

The odd little story that is The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was the brain child of Robert Louis Stevenson. This gothic, Victorian novel is a short but engaging novel which explores the consequences of separating one’s good side from one’s evil.

Following Mr Utterson, a London lawyer and friend of Mr Jekyll, the reader is thrown into a mystery of the changes in Dr Jekyll. Mr Hyde, a man with a repugnant reputation for heinous acts and character, seems to be accepted and even cared for by Jekyll, much to Mr Utterson’s confusion and disgust. Jekyll’s life and character change throughout the course of the book and Mr Hyde’s nature and capabilities are built upon as this decline takes place.

As the story progresses the true nature of Jekyll and Hyde’s relationship becomes clear. In the Victorian era, I can imagine this book was actually quite frightening and thrilling. However, in today’s world where a violent and bloody nature defines the horror genre, it is only an instinctual and moral horror that is felt as the plot reaches its finale.

I did enjoy reading this short little novel. Although my copy barely reached a hundred pages, it was an engaging but difficult read. I found the style of the writing difficult to absorb at times and this made this book quite challenging for me. However, I would recommend this book, especially to people who enjoy Victorian gothic and horror such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

 

Kat

The Mysterious Affair at Styles – Agatha Christie: 52 in 52 Book #6

We’re all familiar with Agatha Christie’s little Belgian detective. His facial hair is recognisable to most, either from watching the many films or television adaptations, listening to radio plays or even reading the novels. The Mysterious Affair at Styles was Christie’s first published novel and where we meet Hercule Poirot.

I’m not new to the adventures of M. Poirot. My favourite adventures of his are Murder on the Orient Express and The ABC Murders. My mum is an avid Christie fan and I have been surrounded by such literature most of my life. How I had neglected to read this novel is puzzling. Nevertheless, I’m glad to have read this adventure.

The main focus of every story in the series is a murder. In this case it is Emily Inglethorp who is poisoned by someone at the estate of Styles. Is it her oddball husband who is disliked by the rest of the household, the doctor-turned poet stepson who stands to inherit a substantial amount of money, a toxicologist who is a friend of a lady of the house? The book is very good at keeping you guessing, throwing in a twist or new piece of information every few pages.

Captain Hastings narrates the story well, adding to the confusion by putting forward his own interpretations of situations. The characters are well described and developed and Christie has a knack for persuading you to feel certain ways about certain people, adding to the twists and turns of the plot.

I enjoyed this novel, not only as an instalment of one of my favourite crime franchises but as wonderful story in its own right. Anyone into crime and mystery needs to indulge in Poirot’s first adventure and relish the challenge and plot this novel presents.

 

Kat

The Day of the Triffids – John Wyndham: 52 in 52 Book #5

Day of the Triffids is the post-apocalyptic tale by John Wyndham detailing the experiences of one Bill Masen as he navigates this new world and its challenges. At the beginning of the book, there is a small section dedicated to triffids and how these moving plants came to be widespread. Disappointingly however, this is pretty much the most depth the triffids see in the entire book.

This is the first book of my challenge that I’ve finished and felt like I’ve almost been cheated, that there was something missing. The book itself is an engaging tale of survival by those left sighted after most of the world population is blinded by a comet storm. However, given that this book is called Day of the Triffids and that triffids are given a wonderfully interesting chapter at the beginning of the book, their absence in most of the plot is perplexing and a little frustrating. I went into the book expecting a blood bath caused by the errant plants. Instead, it was more of a cut finger or a nosebleed.

Despite the lack of triffids, the story was enjoyable. Bill is separated from his first companion in this new world and sets out to find her once more. Along the way he meets a variety of character, takes on several challenges and in the end settles down for a long term survival strategy.

I don’t know whether I would recommend this book. It’s got a decent enough plot and the characters make the storyline come alive. However, the disappointment I felt at the end of this book makes me feel sad that this story never lived up to the expectation I had of it.

 

Kat

AverMedia Game Capture HD Review

Jimmi takes a look at the AverMedia Game Capture HD video game capture device whilst playing through popular games such as Grand Theft Auto V and Killzone 2 in this exclusive review!

No spoilers!