The Robert Louis Stevenson Library

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 he contemplates the shadowed ties that bind these men.

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 casts a shadow over the quiet street and stirs uneasy reflections in their minds.

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 reflections on love, hope, and the enduring spirit of the Cevennes.

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 and personal nature of religious conviction amidst the rugged landscape.

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 honest discourse across divides.

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, mountain country.

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 Chayla and the zealous Camisards whose fiery uprising forever marked this quiet corner of the Cevennes.

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 conflict mingles subtly with the peacefulness of a sharp and sunlit Sabbath day.

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 sky.

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 upland path amidst springy turf and sparse company, contemplating the quiet, pastoral world unfolding beyond.

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 amid the quiet austere surroundings.

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 inside, with his steadfast donkey and peculiar green sack in tow, marking a passage from the secular to the monastic realm.

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 travelling for the sake 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.

In which the author finds himself lodged in the humble and homely auberge of Bouchet St. Nicholas, where rustic hospitality and simple fare accompany the quiet rhythms of rural life, and a kindly innkeeper presents him with a most fortuitous invention: the goad, a gentle rod that transforms both beast and master’s journey with quiet authority. From the harsh highlands the traveller descends through autumnal fields and windswept hills, crossing ancient rivers and entering the wild frontiers of Gévaudan, where the landscape and its stories breathe a sombre, solemn welcome.

In which a slow and stubborn donkey, Modestine, tests the traveller’s patience and kindness over steep and winding roads, while a local peasant instructs him in the harsh necessities of donkey-driving. As evening falls and burdens tumble, the journey grows more solitary and challenging, yet shaded with moments of rustic life and quiet reflection amid the Cevennes’ rugged solitude.

In which the author finds himself warmly received in a mountain town rife with political strife, where he invents a cosy sleeping-sack and selects a small, spirited donkey named Modestine to bear his burdens on the journey ahead. Despite earnest preparations and many kindly interventions, the delicate art of packing proves a troublesome foe, foreshadowing trials yet to come upon the road.

In which we explore the mountain town of Le Monastier, its hardy and lively inhabitants, their customs and struggles, and the surrounding upland landscape that bears an air at once rugged and homely. The author reflects with affectionate curiosity on the local lace-makers, Sabbath observances, spirited conversations, and the endurance required to live through the harsh, snowbound winters of the Cevennes.

In which the narrator, meeting Dodd in a quaint pearl-inlaid church among the amiable islanders of Manihiki, gathers the scattered fates of Carthew and their companions - tales of fortune lost and regained, of distant ventures from Persia to the South Seas, and of lives blown about the globe like ships before a restless wind.

In which a desperate crew stages a sham wreck to escape peril and finds uneasy refuge aboard a man-of-war, where suspicion and falsehood mingle with fleeting hope and cunning resolve. The tale gently unfolds through shifting fortunes, whispered confidences, and quiet alliances, drawing us away from the tumult to a reflective epilogue that muses on art, memory, and the curious weaving of destiny.

In which the dawn finds Carthew seized by a rush of haunting memories and a grievous silence upon the brig as the company faces their dire morning amid the aftermath of violence and loss, struggling to reconcile their guilt and prepare for the uncertain voyage ahead. As they contend with their frailties and the captain’s uneasy command, a distant smoke on the horizon stirs a desperate hope and intricate plans to cloak their true identities, all under the sharp scrutiny of an encroaching ship that might mean deliverance or doom.

In which a kindly brig commanded by a cautious former banker offers rescue to a band of castaways, but the price of passage soon reveals a hard bargain that frays human tempers and loyalty alike. The ensuing encounter turns ferocious, marked by desperate violence and grim reckonings aboard the ship, as the survivors grapple with the bitter cost of their deliverance.

In which a sudden misfortune leaves a majestic vessel dismasted and cast adrift upon a solitary reef, forcing her crew into the grim calculus of survival on a forsaken islet amid thoughts of distant rescue and the vexing prize of their unclaimed treasure. They endure bitter weather, uneasy camaraderie, and restless watches, their spirits rising and falling as the glimmer of salvation momentarily appears on the horizon.

In which the battered Currency Lass, a once-fine schooner patched with scanty repairs and manned by a motley but cheerful crew, sets out from Sydney on a venture of scant provisions and hopeful trade, navigating the South Sea Islands with the eager recklessness of youth and fortune. The voyage unfolds with laughter, song, and the promise of profit, even as the ship’s fragile condition and the crew’s trials foreshadow the uncertain fate of their splendid adventure.

In which two gentlemen, each freshly returned from their own adventures among the islands, conspire over generous meals and lively discourse to embark upon a speculative trading venture, their plans enlivened by encounters with a colourful cast of seafarers and colonial characters. Amidst their spirited negotiations and the lawyer’s stern rebuke, the tale unfolds with the charm of youthful enterprise and the sober shadow of past connections, setting forth the enterprise that shall carry them away from the familiar shores.

In which we observe the gentle tragedy of Singleton Carthew’s son Norris, a youth of sensitive indifference and vague talent, whose life drifts between paternal reproach and a disengaged pursuit of art, culminating in a reluctant exile to the antipodean colonies. Here, amid Sydney’s lowly haunts and the ceaseless labour of railway navvies, Norris discovers a rough redemption and a peculiar measure of pride, even as he confronts the harsh realities of his wasted prospects.

In which the narrator encounters an old acquaintance, Stennis, in the quietude of Barbizon, who introduces him to a rather melancholy yet gentlemanly artist named Madden, suspected to be a long-lost brother. Over dinner and ensuing confidences in Madden’s studio, they exchange tales and mysteries that unveil layers of shared history and unspoken burdens beneath the convivial surface.

In which a lone traveller pursues a mysterious stranger to the grand but somber estate of Stallbridge-le-Carthew, where the weight of a family’s faded glories and whispered sorrows lingers in every shadowed corner and well-kept garden. Amidst the genteel confines of the manor’s ancient halls and humble inn, an unexpected clue concealed in postage-stamps offers a delicate thread of hope in the delicate dance of chance and cunning.

In which a downfallen man, beleaguered by misfortune and bitter experience, enlists the reluctant aid of a well-meaning stranger, and together they traverse the rain-soaked towns of England in uneasy companionship. Yet as hopes of resolution flicker dimly, shadows of despair and madness gather apace, revealing the fragile and troubled nature of their alliance.

In which the narrator recounts his weary yet watchful sojourn in San Francisco, entangling once more in the curious affairs surrounding the Flying Scud and its mysterious legacy, while observing the wretched yet strangely poetic figure of the disbarred lawyer Bellairs. Amidst cautious manoeuvres and uneasy alliances, a tale of faded ambition and desperate intrigue unfolds, coloured by reflections on literature and human frailty.

In which our narrator returns to San Francisco to find his friend Jim crushed by business failure and domestic strife, yet discovers a complex tangle of secrets and misunderstandings revolving around a disastrous venture and a burned ship. Amid reproaches and revelations, a letter from an unexpected source kindles a sudden hope of fortune, inviting a renewed spirit of camaraderie and plans for celebration.

In which the narrator, cast ashore in the bustling yet ancient harbour of Honolulu, encounters a British naval officer and his reticent doctor aboard the man-of-war Tempest, whose knowledge of the shipwrecked Flying Scud and its enigmatic survivor, Mr. Carthew, draws him into a subtle dance of guarded confidences and sombre reflections. Through their civil yet elusive discourse, he glimpses a deeper and darker truth behind the misfortunes of the wreck, tempered by the doctor's grave admonitions and the inscrutable ways of fate.

In which the narrator faces the bitter realities of financial ruin and is drawn into a cautious smuggling venture under the watchful eyes of dubious companions, while reflecting on friendship and honour amid perilous choices. With heavy heart and a resolute spirit, he confides in the steadfast captain, weighing the burdens of loyalty, risk, and conscience as the night unfolds on the restless sea.

In which the narrator and Captain Nares labour with grim resolve to uncover the hidden opium aboard the wreck of the Flying Scud, striving against fatigue, mutiny, and the enigma of the ship’s true cargo amidst desolate isolation. Following the fruitless toil and the discovery of scant spoil, they grapple with the weight of their defeat and the silent mysteries the island holds, while pondering the fate of shadowy figures linked to the wreck and their own uncertain future.

In which two sober searchers, armed with axes and keen eyes, set about the dismantling of the sunken Flying Scud, uncovering a trove of curious cargo and perplexing papers that hint at an inscrutable story beneath the surface. Amidst locked chests, dated newspapers, and a photograph of stern-faced mariners, they wrestle with puzzles of identity and intention, pondering the strange silence of a captain’s honour and the flickering shadows of mystery that cling to the wreck.

In which a weary crew reaches a remote coral island and cautiously explores the eerie and abandoned wreck of the Flying Scud, pondering its fate amid the clamour of sea-birds and the ruinous presence of derelict stores and tattered sails. Observations and uneasy suspicions arise as familiar evidences defy expectation, suggesting that all is not as it first appeared in the mariner’s tale.

In which we embark upon a vivid account of a schooner's voyage through the South Seas, marked by the austere character of its captain and the capricious moods of wind and wave that both threaten and enchant the crew. The narrative captures the tense approach to a distant island, with the vessel battling worsening weather and the uneasy anticipation of unfamiliar reefs guarding a mysterious wreck.

In which the restless dawn finds our party embroiled in the bustling preparations for a voyage marked by a curious blend of business and personal ceremony, as new command is taken aboard the shabby Norah Creina and a hopeful marriage is consummated amid the ship’s disorder. With a mixture of apprehension and ardour, the vessel sets forth into the grey morning, bearing with it the weight of impending enterprise and farewells, as the silent city fades behind the veiled horizon.

In which the narrator and his steadfast companion, Pinkerton, pursue clues amidst vanished men and mysterious absences, their inquiry taking them through various haunts and official offices with a mixture of frustration and resolve. The day’s toils end in uneasy reflection, where questions multiply and a sombre pride arises from their steadfast devotion to a cause steeped in secrecy and hazard.

In which our narrator, amidst the bustling streets of San Francisco and the tense whispers of clandestine dealings, encounters a wary attorney and his client, unraveling threads of suspicion around a mysterious sale and the hidden cargo of a stranded vessel. The conversation sharpens into a delicate dance of withheld truths and cautious strikes, as plans are laid to press forward with a venture laden with risk, urgency, and the shadow of unseen principals.

In which a matter-of-fact newspaper report recounts the recent wreck of the British brig Flying Scud on a remote island, setting the stage for a spirited auction in San Francisco where interested parties vie for the salvage rights, revealing the mercantile cunning beneath the surface of maritime misfortune. Among the crowd, a complex dance of high stakes and hidden agendas unfolds, as the narrator and his companion, Pinkerton, navigate a contest involving whispered secrets and escalating bids that hint at treasure beyond the manifest.

In which a stranger in San Francisco roams its shadowy quarters and ports, mingling with a motley array of characters—from slum dwellers to South Sea traders—and becomes drawn to the enigmatic island world beyond the Pacific. Amidst these wanderings, he encounters tales of maritime violence and the wretched plight of a ship’s crew, culminating in a vivid meeting with a haunted captain whose restless fear marks the threshold of a deeper adventure.

In which the narrator deftly serves as honorary steward at lively and diverse picnics aboard the steamer, weaving merriment and camaraderie among the merry throng, whilst also navigating the curious fortunes of a spark of investment in a struggling silver mine. Amidst the cheerful bustle, personal bonds deepen and plans for a brighter future are tenderly sketched between friends, their hopes dancing lightly between the sunny shores of California and the distant allure of Paris.

In which the restless and enterprising Pinkerton pursues a multitude of audacious business ventures in the bustling heart of San Francisco, weaving a colourful tapestry of commerce, art, and curious companionships, all while grappling with questions of honesty and ambition. Meanwhile, his companion Dodd finds himself reluctantly cast as manager of a lively and whimsical Sunday excursion, marking a new chapter in their engrossing, if somewhat puzzling, adventures.

In which the narrator returns home to a family both stationary and stern, seeking assistance amid his failing fortunes, only to find himself plunged into the old strife and grudging generosity of kinship and legacy. With a check in hand and the weight of new obligations upon him, he ventures westward, soon ensnared in the boisterous and well-meant machinations of his irrepressible friend, Pinkerton, whose spirited zeal plunges them both into a most unforeseen theatrical ordeal.

In which our narrator, beleaguered by the gaudy life of Paris and the harsh realities of poverty, finds himself stripped of studio, friend, and fortune, persisting with stubborn hope amidst dismissive artists and empty meals. With courage trembling yet unyielding, he contemplates retreat and redemption, resolved to repay friendship and face the future honourably, even as he bids farewell to his cherished past.

In which the narrator, having tasted both fortune and adversity, endures the collapse of his father's wealth and wrestles with the precariousness of an artist’s life in Paris, all amid the loyalty and crude good humour of his companion Pinkerton. Together they explore the city's art and society, debate the virtues of commerce versus creativity, and confront the harsh realities that compel the narrator to stand solitary on the threshold of his uncertain career.