#315 | 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' — Addiction, Self-Sabotage, and the Human Shadow

🎙 This week, we unpack Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 iconic novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a literary classic that went on to permanently alter the English vernacular. Prompted by a recent trip to Edinburgh, I share why this famous story is far more than a simple detective story or good-versus-evil binary tale. I discuss Nabokov's challenging lecture on the book, and how Jekyll's tragic potion functions as an allegory for addiction, self-sabotage, and the untamed darkness in us all. Inside the Episode: (01:30) Stevenson's Fate: The author's battle with chronic illness and the eerie, theatrical parallel between his sudden death in Samoa and his most famous book. (03:32) The Edinburgh Connection: How exploring the Writers' Museum in Stevenson's hometown inspired this reflection on Scottish literature. (05:13) Beyond Duality: Why Vladimir Nabokov challenged standard split-personality interpretations to view the novella as an experimental masterpiece. (06:14) Addiction & Self-Sabotage: Reading Jekyll’s transformation as a haunting metaphor for temptation, guilt, and self-created ruin. (08:44) Facing the Shadow: The subtle symbolism of Hyde’s physical stature and why ignoring our darker tendencies is a tragedy waiting to happen. Links & Resources:  ✓ (Better) Books: Sign up at BooksforMen.org.  📚 Master Your Craft: AristotleforNovelists.com.  ⚡️ Connect: Instagram @douglasvigliotti | DouglasVigliotti.com. 💥 Book: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Life is too short to read sh*tty books. 🫠