Finished: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Stevenson) A much shorter book than I thought it would be! All I really knew about the story was what I've occasionally seen on television, and then the plot line of the stage show, which included a love interest I believe. Anyway, there was no woman in this story! There was just Dr. Jekyll, who apparently battled with his two different selves all his life. His true personality was good and carefree and mirthful. However, he felt like he should hide that personality and be reserved, holding his head up high and severe as his "station" would have him do. So, as he grew older, he wrestled more and more with the demons of men having two personalities within themselves. He wondered if he could create a chemical solution that would take one of the personalities out...and he finally did. Sadly, the person who prevailed was the evil side of him, who became known as Edward Hyde. Edward Hyde had no conscience and partook of very seedy behavior, catering to Jekyll's darker side which wanted to explore the base pleasures of life. When Hyde actually took an even crueler form by injuring a child, and then beating an innocent man to death, Jekyll decided to give up taking his solution. It was too late, however. Now, Jekyll was becoming Hyde without even taking the potion! It was becoming harder and harder for him to go back to being the kind Jekyll. Finally, with no other option, Jekyll kills himself while he's Hyde. All of this comes to light through letters written to Jekyll's lawyer and good friend, Mr. Utterson. He tells the tale, including his own interactions with both Jekyll and Hyde, and then also the information he finally gets from Jekyll himself in the form of a letter. Interesting book, kept my attention, but not my favorite by far.