Mary Reilly

Description

From the acclaimed author of Orange Prize winning PROPERTY comes a fresh twist on the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, a novel told from the perspective of Mary Reilly, Dr. Jekyll's dutiful and intelligent housemaid. Faithfully weaving in details from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, Martin introduces an original and captivating character: Mary is a survivor-scarred but still strong-familiar with evil, yet brimming with devotion and love. As a bond grows between Mary and her tortured employer, she is sent on errands to unsavory districts of London and entrusted with secrets she would rather not know. Unable to confront her hideous suspicions about Dr. Jekyll, Mary ultimately proves the lengths to which she'll go to protect him. Through her astute reflections, we hear the rest of the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, and this familiar tale is made more terrifying than we remember it, more complex than we imagined possible.

Valerie Martin is the author of two collections of short fiction, seven novels, and a biography of St. Francis of Assisi, SALVATION.

The Daily Telegraph, Patrick Garland: "The finest novel I read all year." 'Valerie Martin . . has succeeded marvelously in writing a new and deeply moving psychological drama. It is a breathtaking achievement.' Evening Chronicle 'A totally a