The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a slip of a book published in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson. A story of good vs evil within every man, this book introduced the world to one of the most intriguing and terrifying literary monsters of all time.
Among the great names in literary history that I discussed yesterday, Jekyll and Hyde are right up there. The term Jekyll and Hyde is now used to describe someone with two opposite personalities inside of them. It is used as a humorous comparison or as an honest assessment of someone with severe mental and emotional issues. These are powerful names.
Today’s post is a celebration of literary monsters and the authors who penned them. Without these greats, we wouldn’t have half the supernatural fiction we have today.
Monster roll call!
Jekyll and Hyde in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886
Martians in War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, 1898
The Dunwich Horror in The Dunwich Horror by H.P. Lovecraft, 1929
Dracula in Dracula by Bram Stoker, 1897
Griffin in The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, 1897
The Monster in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 1818
Morlock in The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, 1895
Moreau & the Beast Men in The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells, 1896
Oh, everyone in The Shadow over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft, 1931
Who is my favorite literary monster? That would be The Monster in Frankenstein, although I’ve got a soft spot for anything by H.P. Lovecraft. I love Dracula, don’t get me wrong, but there is something about the way the novel Frankenstein makes me feel…I don’t know. There are just some books that are more important to you, and no explanation would be adequate, you know? I have the same knee-jerk loyalty to The Great Gatsby and the poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I can’t tell you why I love them so much, I just do, and that’s all there is to say about it.
I really wish they’d make a modern movie based on Frankenstein and yes please I’d like either Christopher Nolan or Guiellermo Del Toro to direct. I think it is time the monster and the mad scientist reenter the public hearts and minds. I am very, very, very, very excited about a YA book coming out on August 23rd by Kenneth Oppel called This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. *nerdlove squee!*
Have I missed any great literary mosnters? Who are your favorites?
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