“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a novella that delves into the duality of human nature through the story of Dr. Jekyll, who creates a potion that unleashes his dark alter ego, Mr. Hyde. Inspired by real events in Edinburgh, where Stevenson witnessed the contrasting aspects of the city’s character, the tale explores themes of morality, identity, and the consequences of unchecked desires, leaving you pondering the depths of your own inner darkness.

Everyone knows this story but I had never read it. I picked it up in Edinburgh after drinking at a pub called Deacon Brodie’s, named after Stevenson’s real life inspiration.