Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

162 reviews

carolinebl's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts

singalana's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Minor: Abortion, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Body shaming, Grief, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts

hazydazywaffles's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I read this book for school and enjoyed it. The plot was very intresting and I learned where the legend of Frankenstein came from. And it is really not what you think. The monster is not named Frankenstein, that is the inventor's last name. Just that in itself is something I've thought about a lot. It also wasn't too hard to read, I would definitely recommend it, especially around October.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

felofhe's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Body shaming, Classism, Medical content, Gaslighting, Sexism, Abortion, Drug abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Ableism, Animal death, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, and Toxic relationship

carodunn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, Medical content, Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Body horror

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Dysphoria, Gore, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse

simmich429's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Mental illness, Murder, Abandonment, Death of parent, Gun violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Body horror, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Death, Religious bigotry, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

mobymaize's review against another edition

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

4.5

Yeah, I mean it's fucking Frankenstein, like you got to read it. It is the first sci-fi novel, of course you have to read it. ALSO READ THE 1818 VERSION, IT'S A LOT BETTER.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Incest, Medical content, Murder, and Racism

barda's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Death, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder

halaagmod's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

Nothing I could say about this that hasn't already been said. Beautifully written, rich, and vivid.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Child death, Death, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts

lesboracle's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Chronic illness, and Bullying

Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Incest, Murder, and Stalking