31.7k reviews for:

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

3.86 AVERAGE


What can I say?
Frankenstein is an absolute timeless classic and for good reason.
Criticizing the scientific hubris of man, not to mention the entitlement and lack of responsibility for ones actions, just never goes out of style.

This is my 3rd (?) reading of the text, but what struck me this time was the comedy of Victor Frankenstein.
He makes a man out of corpses, for some ungodly reason makes him like 9 feet tall, then when it comes to life he is somehow surprised at its hideousness.
He simply flees the scene and expects.... what exactly?
It's so absurd.
I am always struck by how pathetic, unreasonable, and illogical Frankenstein is and always so heartbroken by the experiences of our poor Creature.

There is always something to be gleaned from this book no matter how many times I read it.
A must read!
mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

3.5 stars.
challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Whilst adventurous in its day and providing the foundation of modern-day science fiction, this latter aspect is far less expanded on than its legacy would have you believe. Instead it offers an insight into complex issues such as; belonging, love, hate, revenge and justice. Posing questions whose answers are open to the interpretation of the reader.
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

My most favourite 19th century literature. Mary Shelley, what a woman! (Despite the whole losing her virginity on her mothers grave and carrying around her husband’s calcified heart but who doesn’t love an edgy mad woman). Every character in this novel is genuinely horrible and all in all not good people but also somehow very relatable?

I get why this is a classic, especially as it was unique at the time, but I didn't love it. Victor is entirely insufferable, it felt like we didn't see enough of the creation of the creature or of his actions afterwards that led to the creature being able to flee and start living his own life. Also I really didn't understand the need or the point of the story of the "Arabian" with the family who lived in the cottage. It seemed very random, was very hard to follow and understand in the audiobook, and added nothing to the story except a bit of racism maybe?

I also wasn't fully on board with the way the story was told, the captain writing letters to his sister where he's like "I'm telling you that Victor told me that the creature told him that xyz..." It seemed very convoluted! I'm glad I read it because it's interesting to see the classic of the genre that let to so many horror and sci-fi books and tropes, but honestly it was mid.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious reflective tense
adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes