Reviews with content warning for Child death - Frankenstein

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

305 reviews

rainerasnic's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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carolinebl's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Frankenstein is such a famous story, but my expectations were quite wrong. I enjoyed the end of the novel, the plot of which I knew less. I understand why it is considered a seminal work, and has inspired so many adaptations, but I did not love it.

The voice of Frankenstein’s monster felt implausible; how could he really have developed such a complex vocabulary? I enjoyed hearing of his early days of life, but it felt like Shelley was unwilling to sacrifice her style for the good of the story.

The narrative voice was interesting,

removed as it was from the main events, though this again brought up issues for me of the detailed recollection of conversations… is my memory just so poor that this seems ridiculous?

Perhaps I am too pedantic over these details, and should focus instead on the novel in general. I found both Frankenstein and his monster deeply unlikeable.

I’m not sure how others genuinely champion the selfish and destructive monster. Both of them should have just offed themselves!

The parallels between Frankenstein and his monster were the most powerful aspect, alongside Shelley’s commentary on superficiality and the beautiful depiction of nature. I want to visit Switzerland, but also to study this novel in more depth… perhaps I would gain a more positive impression.

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the_books_music_life's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is my very first time actually reading Frankenstein. I can say I’m happy to have read such an occult classic.

In Frankenstein you explore the question of what makes a monster. Is it nature or nurture? Are you born a monster? Or do the actions of others and trauma that happens to you cause the monster in you to come forth?

I can understand why Frankenstein has stood the test of time, it is a powerful, and telling novel now in 2024, I can’t imagine what it was like when it was first published. Frankenstein gave the science fiction genre its name.

I listened to the audiobook and while it was good, I found myself zoning out. I don’t know why because I did enjoy the story. It did at times feel like it was dragging, but most older books like these tend to feel like that to me.

Mary Shelley was a writer beyond her time. To have come up with the idea of Frankenstein at only 18 years old, and from an odd prompt to write a horror story, it’s incredible. Especially being a woman in 1816 writing this.

At times you can’t help but feel for Frankenstein’s monster, he is an ugly abomination in a time where appearance was what people first noticed about you. He was also abandoned by his maker before he could even open his eyes. But, you can also see Victor’s struggle as well and his deep remorse and guilt over creating such a creature.

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singalana's review

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challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I must confess I didn't have a clear understanding of the story as I've never watched any films or read the story before. Therefore, it took me by surprise.

Frankenstein was originally published in 1818. Unless I'm mistaken, it's one of the first science fiction stories ever written. Of course it's also a gothic horror novel, and possibly the best known work of its author.

Frankenstein tells the story of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a monstrous being and brings it to life. After this, his life becomes a nightmare.

Frankenstein and his creation contrast each other on a thought-provoking way, and I found my sympathies to be with the monster. For a modern reader, the story lagged a bit in places but I decided not to deduct any stars because of it. The book is full of interesting themes and symbolism, no wonder this is a classic.

This edition: I liked the colourful audiobook cover and I found the narrator (Jonathan Keeble) to fit the work very well.

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pikkumarja's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Ymmärrän kirjan klassikkoaseman! Teoksessa on niin monta tasoa, että metakonteksti välillä unohtuu (Kirjassa on kohtia, joissa kirjailija on kirjoittanut miehen kirjoittamaan kirjeessä toisen miehen kertomaa tarinaa, jossa mies kertoo tarinaa, jossa tapahtuu monia asioita).

Tässä laitoksessa ihastutti myös esipuheet, joiden lukemisen jälkeen kirjaa oli mennyt jo 10 %.

Taidokas tarina hylkäämisestä ja ulkopuolisuudesta. Moraalintaju pyrkii seurailemaan lukijan mukana, mutta hahmot ovat niin moniulotteisia, että hetkessä sympatiat vaihtavat kohdettaan päikseen.

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