Love “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”? Then check out “My Dear Henry” by Kalynn Bayron who wrote a remix version of it, but featuring a queer character.
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
My most recent work, “My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix,” was inspired by the classic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” It’s one of my favorite gothic tales alongside “Frankenstein” and “Dracula.” I have a soft spot for gothic horror in particular and I could not pass up an opportunity to tell this story in this way. I’ve always felt like it was a story that is perfect vehicle for examining race, class, identity and all the ways those things intersect with one another. What does “Reading with Pride” mean to you?
For me, Reading with Pride means having the opportunity to read stories that feature the vast and varied ways that we, in the queer community, exist. It means sharing our experiences with one another so that we can foster a literary environment that is rich in empathy and compassion. Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Reading about people who are like us helps us imagine what is possible. It can also be a tool for exploring who we are as we uncover who we will become and what we stand for. Additionally, reading about people who are not exactly like us can teach us to be more understanding, more compassionate. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s landmark piece Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors speaks directly to the importance of diversity and inclusion in children’s literature and is something I return to again and again. I’d encourage everyone to read it to gain a better insight into why championing inclusive children’s literature is important. Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
My take on Jekyll and Hyde is a story about all the ways we split ourselves in two, about society’s perception of who we should be, and ultimately who we choose to become despite the monumental odds often stacked against us. I could not simply “paint the roses red” for this project. I spent months researching to get a clear and accurate picture of what life might have been like for queer Black people at this time period in this particular place. Unsurprisingly, some of the challenges faced by Gabriel and Henry are not unlike many of the challenges the queer community faces today. I’d like to think we’ve come a long way since the late 1800’s but it’s not as far as some may think. My character’s identities inform their decision making and their perception of the world around them and this fundamentally changes the narrative. This isn’t Jekyll and Hyde but queer. It’s a wholly new story with its own unique outcomes and circumstances. Gabriel and Henry’s story is one among many that deserves to be told. What can fans expect from your book?
This book is historical fiction inspired by a gothic horror classic. It was vital that I kept intact the same feeling of dread and inescapable tension that is felt in the original novella. I hope that translates to the readers and I hope they enjoy the twists and turns! What’s up next for you in the bookish world?
I have two other books out this year, “You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight” is my ode camp slasher flicks of the ’80s and is out June 20. I also have the second book in my middle grade series, “The Vanquishers: Secret of the Reaping,” out in October. I’m incredibly grateful to be so busy!
