Myself and the Other Fellow: A Life of Robert Louis Stevenson

Claire Harman's biography traces Robert Louis Stevenson's life from his sickly childhood in Edinburgh through his emergence as one of literature's most celebrated authors. Through extensive research and previously unpublished materials, Harman examines Stevenson's complex relationships with family members, his struggles with chronic illness, and his eventual self-exile to the South Pacific. The narrative follows his development as a writer, from his early travel essays to the creation of classics like Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The biography pays particular attention to Stevenson's marriage to Fanny Osbourne and his friendships with fellow artists and writers of the period. His constant travels between Scotland, France, America and finally Samoa reveal a restless spirit seeking both health and inspiration. Beyond the biographical details, this work explores the duality that marked both Stevenson's life and his fiction - the tension between duty and freedom, civilization and wildness, and the multiple identities that existed within one man.

Readers found this biography thoroughly researched and appreciated Harman's focus on Stevenson's complex personality rather than just his literary works. Several reviews noted the effective use of Stevenson's personal letters and journals to paint a complete picture of his character flaws and internal struggles. Likes: - Detailed coverage of his health issues and their impact on his writing - Clear portrayal of his relationship with his wife Fanny - Strong historical context of Victorian literary society Dislikes: - Some readers found the early chapters on Stevenson's childhood too lengthy - A few criticized the limited analysis of his major works - Several mentioned the writing style can be dry at times Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (28 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) "Harman excels at showing the man behind the myths," wrote one Amazon reviewer, while a Goodreads user noted "this could have been condensed without losing substance."

Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin A biography that captures the Victorian literary world and personal life of Dickens through letters and historical records, mirroring the depth of research found in Harman's Stevenson biography.

The Life of Oscar Wilde by Richard Ellmann This biography delves into the complexities of a writer who, like Stevenson, navigated both literary fame and personal struggles in the late Victorian era.

George Eliot: A Life by Gordon S. Haight Drawing from letters and journals, this biography reconstructs the life of a Victorian author who, similar to Stevenson, challenged social conventions while creating enduring literature.

Thackeray: A Life by D.J. Taylor The narrative traces Thackeray's journey through the same Victorian literary landscape Stevenson inhabited, revealing the connections between personal experience and artistic creation.

The Life of Thomas Hardy by Florence Emily Hardy This biography, partly composed from Hardy's own notes and memories, presents an intimate portrait of a writer who shared Stevenson's era and preoccupation with human nature.

🌟 Claire Harman spent five years researching Stevenson's life, including accessing previously unpublished letters and family documents. 🏴‍☠️ The biography reveals that Stevenson's famous novel "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was initially inspired by a vivid nightmare that caused him to scream out in his sleep. 🌺 During his time in Samoa, where he spent his final years, Stevenson was known by locals as "Tusitala" (Teller of Tales) and became deeply involved in local politics. 📝 Stevenson wrote the first draft of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in just three days, but his wife Fanny convinced him to burn it and start over, leading to the version we know today. 🌙 As a child, Stevenson's frequent illnesses led to long periods of confinement in dark rooms, where his nurse, Alison Cunningham, would tell him stories that later influenced his writing style.