The Robert Louis Stevenson Library

In which a gentleman of esteemed character and scientific curiosity recounts his profound experiments into the nature of man’s dual soul, and the extraordinary and terrible consequences of his quest to separate good from evil within himself. Through a narrative both candid and sombre, he reveals the perilous transformation that ensues, as well as the haunting battle of conscience and identity that...

In which a letter from Dr. Jekyll summons his old friend Dr. Lanyon to perform a secret and urgent task, involving a locked drawer of curious contents and a mysterious midnight visitor. The events that unfold reveal strange transformations witnessed by Lanyon that profoundly shake his understanding of science and sanity.

In which the faithful servant Poole seeks the aid of Mr. Utterson to confront a ghastly suspicion that has taken hold within Dr. Jekyll’s household, leading them through a night heavy with dread to unlock the sealed door of the mysterious cabinet. Therein, amid eerie silence and portentous signs, they uncover a grim scene that demands further reflection through written accounts left in trust for M...

In which Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield encounter Dr. Jekyll by his window, noticing a profound melancholy and unease that hangs in the air around him. Their brief exchange is shattered by a sudden terror upon Jekyll’s face, leaving the gentlemen shaken and speechless as they continue their walk through the dimming streets.

In which the shadow of a cruel and violent stranger fades from the public eye, allowing Dr. Jekyll to seem restored in health and spirits, yet a grievous estrangement with Dr. Lanyon and the latter’s sudden decline cast a pall of secret dread and mystery over their once-harmonious circle. Mr. Utterson, caught between loyalty and unease, wrestles with unopened messages and a haunting change in his...

In which Mr. Utterson visits Dr. Jekyll’s shadowed laboratory and learns of a disturbing letter from the elusive Mr. Hyde, compelling him to ponder the strange ties that bind his friend to a dark and troubling matter. The lawyer’s careful scrutiny of handwriting and reluctance to expose secrets reveals a web of mystery that weighs heavily on his mind amid the fog and quiet unease of London.

In which an appalling crime of brutal violence disturbs the peace of London, drawing the attention of a resolute lawyer and a diligent inspector to a mysterious figure known to only a few. The scene is set amid the fog and shadows of Soho, where intrigue and unease pervade the discovery of shattered treasures and elusive secrets within a disordered abode.

In which Dr. Jekyll, a man of notable presence and kindness, hosts a quiet evening with his trusted friend Mr. Utterson, during which they broach the delicate and troubling subject of a certain Mr. Hyde and the peculiar nature of Jekyll’s will. Though Jekyll appears uneasy and evasive, he implores Utterson to show justice to Hyde, revealing the complexity of his affairs without further explanation...

In which Mr. Utterson, a cautious and respectable lawyer, wrestles with a troubling will that entangles his friend Dr. Jekyll to a mysterious and sinister figure named Mr. Hyde, setting him upon a patient vigil to unravel the enigma of this odious acquaintance. Through a nocturnal encounter and a visit to Dr. Jekyll’s abode, Utterson’s mind is haunted by dark suspicions and a profound unease, as h...

In which Mr. Utterson, a reserved and principled lawyer, embarks upon his customary Sunday walk with his distant kinsman Mr. Enfield, during which an eerie incident at a neglected and sinister-looking door prompts the recounting of a most peculiar and unsettling tale. This account reveals a strange character named Hyde, whose malevolent presence and mysterious connection to a reputable gentleman c...

In which the author, faced with the necessity of parting from his faithful donkey Modestine, finds himself both practical and poignantly reflective upon their shared journey through the rugged land. Amidst the rustic scenes of the Cevennes, from vineyard blight to local customs, he bids farewell to his companion with a mingling of regret and relief.

In which the traveller awakes to the serene beauty of a chestnut-clad valley and reflects quietly upon the troubled history and religious tensions of the small mountain parish of St. Germain de Calberte. As evening falls, he climbs a steep hill to share a last meal with his faithful donkey Modestine, contemplating the landscape and lingering thoughts before descending into the gathering night.

In which the traveller arrives at Cassagnas, a remote hamlet steeped in the stirring history of the Camisards, and encounters its steadfast Protestant inhabitants with their quiet, dignified faith and simple ways. As he journeys onward beneath chestnut trees and moonlit hills, the landscape reveals its solitary grandeur, while the soft strains of a distant ballad and the whispering winds invite re...

In which the traveller descends into the valley of the Mimente at dusk, seeking a secluded, if stony, resting place beneath ancient oaks where the silence of the night is punctuated by the plaintive barking of a neighbour’s dog and the gentle presence of the stars above. In the brightening morning, he encounters a solitary wayfarer whose calm declaration of faith prompts reflection on the enduring...

In which the traveller finds himself in Florac, a town marked by its quaint charm and a history deeply entwined with the Camisard wars, where the mingling of Protestant and Catholic lives in peaceful coexistence surprises and pleases him. He reflects with a tender regard on the enduring human virtues that rise above old conflicts, and delights in the rare communion of spirit found in candid and ho...

In which the traveller explores the beauteous valley of the Tarn, where stalwart chestnut trees stand sentinel over terraces and cliffs, filling the air with their faint perfume and the hum of summer's decline. Amidst the picturesque landscape, he encounters simple, devout folk whose quiet faith and gentle courtesies offer a touching glimpse into the enduring spirit of this tranquil, yet rugged, m...

In which the traveller arrives at Pont de Montvert, a quaint southern town marked by its lively Sunday bustle and the intriguing presence of Clarisse, while reflecting on the subtle yet palpable distinctions of place and people that colour his journey. Here, amidst the echoes of fervent psalms and the shadowy memory of historic persecutions, he recounts the grim tale of François de Langlade du Cha...

In which the traveller ascends the bare heights of the Lozère, where the winds blow keen and the distant hills unfold a misty tapestry of history and heroic rebellion, recalling the fierce and devout struggles of the Camisards. Descending into a verdant valley clothed in autumnal splendour and accompanied only by a solitary child's call, he finds himself drawn into a land where the weight of past...

In which a solitary night spent among tall pines on a cold mountain ridge reveals the subtle rhythms and gentle companionship of nature’s nocturnal life, inspiring reflections on freedom and the tender pleasures of solitude. Through the sparkling stars and whispering winds, the quiet presence of an ass and a lone passerby’s song evoke a serene communion with the elemental world beneath the vast sk...

In which the traveller, accompanied by his steadfast donkey Modestine, departs the monastery gate under a promising sky and journeys through varied landscapes—navigating upland fields, beech and birch woods, and the singing village of Lestampes—before confronting the stubbornness of his donkey on a steep shortcut over the mountain of La Goulet. Thereafter, he traverses a solitary, stone-marked upl...

In which the narrator finds himself among a curious company of boarders at a remote monastery, whose varied characters and earnest debates reveal the rich complexities of faith and conviction in this secluded retreat. The evenings are marked by lively discourse on politics and religion, where the tensions between personal belief and the passionate zeal of others provide both discomfort and insight...

In which I am graciously received by the monks of a bleak and windswept retreat, where their austere lives are a curious blend of devout ritual, industrious labour, and unexpected cheerfulness. Amid silent cloisters and ceaseless bell tolls, I find myself reflecting on the wisdom of their rigorous rule and the serene, if isolated, rhythm of their days.

In which the narrator progresses through a wild and rocky landscape, approaching the remote Trappist monastery of Our Lady of the Snows with a mixture of awe and superstition, encountering there the kindly yet enigmatic Father Apollinaris, whose vow of silence and earnest devotion both disturb and charm him. Despite initial hesitation and the monastery’s solemn air, he is eventually welcomed insid...

In which the traveller finds small, humble villages with their own quiet life amid the bleakness of the highlands, and comes to recognise the weariness both of his donkey, Modestine, and of the journey itself through this desolate country. The inns offer simple hospitality, while the harsh wind and barren landscape conspire to remind a solitary wayfarer of the raw and unvarnished reality of travel...

In which a weary traveller endeavours to reach Le Cheylard l'Évéque through a labyrinth of moor and marsh, encountering mischievous villagers and the eerie dance of children at dusk. As night falls pitch black and the wind howls incessantly, he finds shelter in a forest hollow, where the harsh wilderness becomes a humble haven for rest and reflection.