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lonelyasfranz's review against another edition
1.0
Absolutely terrible. The most wicked book ever, probably. DNF at page two.
jik24601's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nerdosaurus1998's review against another edition
4.0
I highly enjoyed this book.
It takes a look into the expanse of the human brain and the limitless potential messing around with nature's will can have on the human biology.
It also reminded me of a mix of Frankenstein and Flowers for Algernon, which are both amazing books, too.
It takes a look into the expanse of the human brain and the limitless potential messing around with nature's will can have on the human biology.
It also reminded me of a mix of Frankenstein and Flowers for Algernon, which are both amazing books, too.
upbeatmetaphor's review against another edition
5.0
“Dr Patrick Cory is being destroyed by a brain which he recovered from a dying millionaire.”
That’s a pitch and a half right there. The story is surprisingly simple. Somewhat estranged surgeon Dr Patrick Cory saves the brain of a millionaire who happens to crash his plane nearby. He feeds the brain, and as it grows it extends increased control over the doctor, manipulating him to carry out an unknown and possibly diabolical plan.
The text employs strong, original scientific metaphors throughout, that even seven decades later have not become cliché or overused. The reader is aware of looking through a scientist’s eyes, examining the world and making sense of it in a clinical and medical fashion. It is bold originality that some modern writers, who still insist on giving their characters butterflies in their stomach and springs in their step, could learn from.
It is an impeccably well-written book, and an enjoyable read.
I’d recommend it if you fancy a study in driven characters, and if you’re the sort of person who questions your own motives or forgets why you like the things you do.
Nick
xx
That’s a pitch and a half right there. The story is surprisingly simple. Somewhat estranged surgeon Dr Patrick Cory saves the brain of a millionaire who happens to crash his plane nearby. He feeds the brain, and as it grows it extends increased control over the doctor, manipulating him to carry out an unknown and possibly diabolical plan.
The text employs strong, original scientific metaphors throughout, that even seven decades later have not become cliché or overused. The reader is aware of looking through a scientist’s eyes, examining the world and making sense of it in a clinical and medical fashion. It is bold originality that some modern writers, who still insist on giving their characters butterflies in their stomach and springs in their step, could learn from.
It is an impeccably well-written book, and an enjoyable read.
I’d recommend it if you fancy a study in driven characters, and if you’re the sort of person who questions your own motives or forgets why you like the things you do.
Nick
xx
norms_reads's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you can get your paws on a copy of this, read it. Donovan's Brain is one of my favourite classic's that I have read to-date.
Please keep in mind, Donovan's Brain was not written with today's social norms in mind and definitely uses some terms that would 100% not be acceptable in today's society. But, hey... it was published in 1942, those were different times.
10/10 would recommend, 10/10 will read again.
Please keep in mind, Donovan's Brain was not written with today's social norms in mind and definitely uses some terms that would 100% not be acceptable in today's society. But, hey... it was published in 1942, those were different times.
10/10 would recommend, 10/10 will read again.
thomasmannia's review against another edition
1.0
Absolutely terrible. The most wicked book ever, probably. DNF at page two.
jhaeger's review against another edition
I read Donovan's Brain because I'd recently finished IT and loved the phrase "He thrusts his fists upon the post, and still insists he sees the ghost." After some digging I found out that King got this tongue twister from this 1942 horror novel and used it as an homage.
First of all, this book is fantastic. It's old pulp horror from the forties, but I was surprised by how topical is seemed at this moment with wealth inequality. It's well plotted and has more mystery and intrigue than I was expecting when I first picked it up. It's far more about the secret life of the suspended brain's past life, and the horror elements almost come secondary, which underscores the whole story. You can definitely see how Stephen King was inspired by this specific book. It's a quick read and I'd recommend it.
First of all, this book is fantastic. It's old pulp horror from the forties, but I was surprised by how topical is seemed at this moment with wealth inequality. It's well plotted and has more mystery and intrigue than I was expecting when I first picked it up. It's far more about the secret life of the suspended brain's past life, and the horror elements almost come secondary, which underscores the whole story. You can definitely see how Stephen King was inspired by this specific book. It's a quick read and I'd recommend it.
nwhyte's review against another edition
4.0
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3011851.html
A short novel which was the basis of several memorable films. Our protagonist, a mildly corrupt doctor in a desert town in the Western USA, rescues the brain of evil millionaire Donovan, who is fatally injured in a plane crash, and finds a way of keeping it alive; but the brain is stronger than its human minders, and manipulates them to continue its original owner's evil plans of various kinds (notably perverting the course of justice). It's a basic horror plot of possession, but there's a tremendously convincing air of despairing degeneracy about the entire story (the narrator is disgusted with himself) and nods to the latest technology as of 1942.
A short novel which was the basis of several memorable films. Our protagonist, a mildly corrupt doctor in a desert town in the Western USA, rescues the brain of evil millionaire Donovan, who is fatally injured in a plane crash, and finds a way of keeping it alive; but the brain is stronger than its human minders, and manipulates them to continue its original owner's evil plans of various kinds (notably perverting the course of justice). It's a basic horror plot of possession, but there's a tremendously convincing air of despairing degeneracy about the entire story (the narrator is disgusted with himself) and nods to the latest technology as of 1942.
megknowles's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
horscht's review against another edition
3.0
"Donovan's Brain" describes THE archetypical 50s mad-scientist-plot. The visualisation of the brain under the glass dome with cables attached to it, next to a man in white clothes having a shocked expression on his face can be seen in many pulpy cover pictures of this time. And not only this fact, also the whole style of the book gives us this nice retro 50s feeling.
Written in the style of a diary, the protagonist describes the story of an experiment going awry leading to the loss of control over his mind and body. Therefore it is no wonder, that I was constantly reminded to the even more classical tale of "Dr Jekyll and MR Hyde".
Written in the style of a diary, the protagonist describes the story of an experiment going awry leading to the loss of control over his mind and body. Therefore it is no wonder, that I was constantly reminded to the even more classical tale of "Dr Jekyll and MR Hyde".