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Nov 15, 2011BPLNextBestAdults rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Charles Dickens' final, unfinished novel is considered one of his darkest works. Presciently, depicting what modern psychologists might now describe as a manic obsession, Dickens' creation, John Jasper is chillingly evil. His secret life as an opium addict is completely at odds with the daytime persona he presents as choirmaster in the fictitious town of Cloisterham. His brooding fascination with Rosa Bud, betrothed to his cheery, unsuspecting and hopelessly naïve nephew, Edwin Drood is creepy and repugnant and compels him to commit a horrible crime. Lamentably unfinished and written in installments, The Mystery of Edwin Drood was way ahead of its time – foreshadowing and modeling the great psychological thrillers of the 20th century. That Dickens' characterizations remain fresh and wholly recognizable with their all too human frailties is evident in modern day presentations of this work – both in theatre and television.