Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Mar
Collection
Publication
New York, N.Y. : Doubleday, 1990.
Description
From the acclaimed author of the bestselling Italian Fever comes a fresh twist on the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, a novel told from the perspective of Mary Reilly, Dr. Jekyll's dutiful and intelligent housemaid.Faithfully weaving in details from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, Martin introduces an original and captivating character: Mary Reilly is a survivor -- scarred but still strong -- familiar with evil, yet brimming with devotion and love. As a bond grows between Mary and her tortured employer, she is sent on errands to unsavory districts of London and entrusted with secrets she would rather not know. Unable to confront her hideous suspicions about Dr. Jekyll, Mary ultimately proves the lengths to which she'll go to protect him. Through her astute reflections, we hear the rest of the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, and this familiar tale is made more terrifying than we remember it, more complex than we imagined possible.Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.… (more)
Original publication date
1990
User reviews
LibraryThing member Cariola
I read this book years ago when it first came out and reread it now for a course I am teaching. It's the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, told from the viewpoint of a young Irish housemaid. In Stevenson's novel, there are hardly any women, and those who do appear are pretty much part of the
I enjoyed the novel--but not as much as I did the first time. Thankfully, it was new to all of my students. I found it interesting that most of the men preferred Stevenson's fairly straightforward approach to the story, while the women preferred Martin's more complex approach. They are writing papers on the two books, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have to say.
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furniture. By creating a female narrator who works in Jekyll's household, Martin opens up the novel to other themes, including the Victorian patriarchy, the social hierarchy, hidden sexuality, the craving for safety. She also allows her characters greater psychological depth. Mary is depicted as a strong girl, made stronger by enduring years of abuse from her father. She knows her place yet can't help but be stirred by the apparent interest of her kind, elderly employer. Despite her revulsion, she is also attracted to Dr. Jekyll's assistant, the crude and violent Mr. Hyde--mainly because of what he seems to mean to Jekyll. I enjoyed the novel--but not as much as I did the first time. Thankfully, it was new to all of my students. I found it interesting that most of the men preferred Stevenson's fairly straightforward approach to the story, while the women preferred Martin's more complex approach. They are writing papers on the two books, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have to say.
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LibraryThing member SmithSJ01
This is a fabulous story about one of Dr Jekyll's domestic staff - Mary Reilly. It cleverly weaves in extracts from Robert Louis Stevenson's `Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. The length may seem short but Valerie Martin packs a lot into this story. All of the characters are wonderful and with Martin's eye
I haven't read the original story, but know of the plot and I found it entertaining and enthralling to read about it from one of the original characters. It's a bit like looking at a painting and wondering about what really when on behind the story. Even the way in which writers of the time would put lines after the initial for street names etc has been adopted by Martin, giving it a authentic feel time wise.
The ending makes you reflect on what life genuinely must've been like for domestic staff at that time and I would certainly go on to read the original classic itself plus more by the author herself. Several pleasant hours whiled away with this book. It felt authentic of it's time even by the layout and chapter dividings, let alone everything else the author succeeded with
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for detail the imagery brings the household to life. I haven't read the original story, but know of the plot and I found it entertaining and enthralling to read about it from one of the original characters. It's a bit like looking at a painting and wondering about what really when on behind the story. Even the way in which writers of the time would put lines after the initial for street names etc has been adopted by Martin, giving it a authentic feel time wise.
The ending makes you reflect on what life genuinely must've been like for domestic staff at that time and I would certainly go on to read the original classic itself plus more by the author herself. Several pleasant hours whiled away with this book. It felt authentic of it's time even by the layout and chapter dividings, let alone everything else the author succeeded with
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LibraryThing member jcmontgomery
A must read companion to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The author provides a unique viewpoint which adds even more dimension to Stevenson's classic story.
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I knew the basic plot of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but hadn't read Robert Louis Stevenson's classic before reading this book. It's not necessary though--not with that book being so much part of popular culture. You just need to know that Dr. Jekyll, who seems a kind, philanthropic physician is also
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Mr. Hyde, a monster of depravity let loose by a potion. Knowing just that, you can get the richness and irony of seeing this story from the point of view of a young Irish maid in Dr. Jekyll's service. So yes, this is fanfic of the classic type, such as Jean Rhy's Wild Sargasso Sea, based upon Jane Eyre, that takes a minor (or in this case, I think) an imagined character and subverts and/or illuminates the original. While I don't think this is quite the work of enduring literature that Rhy's book is, neither is this some trashy read. It's quite well-written and a surprisingly affecting story, told in a great first person voice and with well-done period detail. The books stands well on its own. Show Less
LibraryThing member julie10reads
Faithfully weaving in details from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, Martin introduces an original and captivating character: Mary Reilly is a survivor -- scarred but still strong -- familiar with evil, yet brimming with devotion and love. As a bond grows between Mary and her tortured employer, she
I love it when an author reimagines a well-known story--here THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE--from a disenfranchised character's point of view--here a servant girl employed in Dr. Jekyll's household. Ms Martin's tale adheres respectfully to the tone and pace of Stevenson's, almost a companion volume to the original. No sooner had I finished the last page than I rushed to get a copy of DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, eager to prolong my visit to that era of invention and philosophical debate. Sadly, I was hard put to finish it, even in the audiobook version. Although published in 1886, the attitudes--perhaps intentionally--portrayed by the author might have belonged to a time 50 years earlier. Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN, published in 1818, another gothic novel of scientific experiments, seems more modern!
In MARY REILLY, Ms Martin has, dare I say it, improved upon Stevenson's original with fresh insight and deeper psychology. Entertaining and well composed!
7.5 out of 10 Highly recommended to readers of Robert Louis Stevenson' fiction and Victorian fiction.
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is sent on errands to unsavory districts of London and entrusted with secrets she would rather not know. Unable to confront her hideous suspicions about Dr. Jekyll, Mary ultimately proves the lengths to which she'll go to protect him. Through her astute reflections, we hear the rest of the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, and this familiar tale is made more terrifying than we remember it, more complex than we imagined possible. Summary HPLI love it when an author reimagines a well-known story--here THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE--from a disenfranchised character's point of view--here a servant girl employed in Dr. Jekyll's household. Ms Martin's tale adheres respectfully to the tone and pace of Stevenson's, almost a companion volume to the original. No sooner had I finished the last page than I rushed to get a copy of DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, eager to prolong my visit to that era of invention and philosophical debate. Sadly, I was hard put to finish it, even in the audiobook version. Although published in 1886, the attitudes--perhaps intentionally--portrayed by the author might have belonged to a time 50 years earlier. Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN, published in 1818, another gothic novel of scientific experiments, seems more modern!
In MARY REILLY, Ms Martin has, dare I say it, improved upon Stevenson's original with fresh insight and deeper psychology. Entertaining and well composed!
7.5 out of 10 Highly recommended to readers of Robert Louis Stevenson' fiction and Victorian fiction.
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LibraryThing member heidilove
an interesting take, i read this when it came out back in the 90's. not my favorite work, and I wouldn't say Martin is going to reinvent gothic literature or our understanding of women in it. An interesting attempt, nonetheless.
LibraryThing member alaskabookworm
I read this immediately after reading "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", and it made a very interesting companion piece. Martin is a really great writer, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
LibraryThing member Kasthu
Mary Reilly is an alternate telling of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s told from the point of view of Dr. Jekyll’s housemaid, Mary, an observant young woman who is nonetheless somewhat blind to what’s going on around her. She keeps a journal of her observations, in which she
It’s not a long book, only about 250 pages, but there’s a lot packed in. At first glance, it would seem odd that Dr. Jekyll seeks out the company of a lowly housemaid; but they really have a lot in common, both having gone through, or going through, periods of darkness in their lives—Mary with the demon her father, and Dr. Jekyll with his demon Mr. Hyde.
The tension in this novel, especially in Mary’s encounters with Mr. Hyde, is palpable, as is the London fog, which seems to surround everything. Right from the opening scene (which I won’t describe; you have to read it for yourself), I was immediately hooked into the story May’s language and grammar are colorful, too, and make her voice unique. The end of the book is somewhat marred by the anonymous postscript, but otherwise I enjoyed this novel. It’s been a number of years since I read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but from what I can recall, Valerie Martin stays pretty close to Stevenson’s book. Mary is for the most part knowledgeable about the world; but in several others, she’s a complete innocent.
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chronicles the increasingly bizarre behavior of the man she calls Master; and her encounters with his new assistant, Edward Hyde.It’s not a long book, only about 250 pages, but there’s a lot packed in. At first glance, it would seem odd that Dr. Jekyll seeks out the company of a lowly housemaid; but they really have a lot in common, both having gone through, or going through, periods of darkness in their lives—Mary with the demon her father, and Dr. Jekyll with his demon Mr. Hyde.
The tension in this novel, especially in Mary’s encounters with Mr. Hyde, is palpable, as is the London fog, which seems to surround everything. Right from the opening scene (which I won’t describe; you have to read it for yourself), I was immediately hooked into the story May’s language and grammar are colorful, too, and make her voice unique. The end of the book is somewhat marred by the anonymous postscript, but otherwise I enjoyed this novel. It’s been a number of years since I read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but from what I can recall, Valerie Martin stays pretty close to Stevenson’s book. Mary is for the most part knowledgeable about the world; but in several others, she’s a complete innocent.
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LibraryThing member EBT1002
It's been years since I read this but I had to add it to my "favorites" list. As a fan of [Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde] I loved this version of the story. It affected my later reading of the classic, gave it more depth and dimension (and that's saying something!).
LibraryThing member Damiella
I really enjoyed this. It's been a while since I read Jekyll and Hyde but I recalled enough that I recognised the flow of the tale. I'm often ambivalent about retellings of a story (way too may times where it feels as though an author is taking the mickey) but this one did work.
I can't deny that
I can't deny that
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it's a short enough story (around 250 pages) but that made it perfect for a light read. Show Less
LibraryThing member laytonwoman3rd
The story of how Dr. Jekyll's strange experiments affected his household, told in the journals of a maid who considered him her protector. Mary is a very sympathetic narrator, and I wished I could share her hope that everything would eventually be right with her Master.
October 2013
October 2013
Pages
263