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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was it 5 stars? No. Did I even like it that much? I have no idea. Is my mind boggled? YES
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Literally this book is my new standard for stories about monsterhood (which like. No shit obviously but I hadn't read it until now). It's truly doing so much thematically and even more than that I found it actually an easier read than some other classic novels I've read. While there's a fair amount of superfluous description of locations, presumably inspired by Mary Shelley's actual experience in Geneva and also perhaps as a contrast to the creature (works of god vs works of man), aside from that she gets to the point quite quickly for the most part. If you're going to take the time to read any classic novel, I would read this one, for its themes, execution, and overall length (it's on the shorter side).
Some general thoughts:
Some general thoughts:
- While I expect all Victorian literature to have some kind of emphasis on religion and this certainly did, I liked that Shelley also has things to say about interpersonal relationships rather than treating this entirely as a religion metaphor (i.e., Frankenstein is not only in the wrong because he tried to play God, he is in the wrong because he prioritized the pursuit of knowledge above his relationships with others; the creature's fundamental unobtainable desire is human connection; etc., although I suppose this is still somewhat connected to religion via Adam and Eve in a way).
- As I said to my girlfriend on the phone while discussing this book, the creature is constantly spitting bars. His monologues were by far my favourite part of the book. It's interesting to read them and find him sympathetic and yet both POV characters despise him on sight and refuse to listen; I think the medium of a novel really lends itself well to the story here because all you as the reader have to go off of is the creature's words, and textually when you cannot see the creature you aren't seized with hatred for him. I think maybe what I'm responding to here is that in novels that are heavily influenced by Christianity there tend to be obviously good and obviously bad people (Dracula being my most recent experience with this), but this is not really the case in this book. I wouldn't say Frankenstein and Walton are presented as being correct at all, even outside of the flaws they actually acknowledge.
- I would like to do a comparison of this, Dracula, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which I read a very long time ago in terms of looking at the evolution of horror and portrayals of technology in the 17th century--it's very fascinating to have read two horror novels written around a century apart that both have something to say about technology/science to an extent and the fears that arise (science being used to create horrifying things vs science being unable to save you from ancient horrors).
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What more is there to say about Frankenstein that has not already been said? I'll keep this brief and mostly personal.
This is my favourite of the horror classics, it always has been. This is my first re-read in ~8 years and it still holds up to me. I do view it slightly differently now though. I found myself laughing out loud at points, in a good way. It is so beautifully absurd, over the top and decadent. Victor is so ridiculously pathetic, naive and lacking foresight. The monster is so delightfully petty, verbose and melancholy to the point of giving emo vibes. I think I took it a lot more seriously before, and that was necessary for me at the time. The darker parts of the novel really inspired a lot of what I enjoy reading and what I enjoy writing. But now, I've been inspired again by the lighter parts of the novel. The ridiculousness of horror and the beauty that is required for real horror to shine through.
Thanks for the second wave of inspiration, Mary Shelley. Truly one of the absolute best to ever do it.
This is my favourite of the horror classics, it always has been. This is my first re-read in ~8 years and it still holds up to me. I do view it slightly differently now though. I found myself laughing out loud at points, in a good way. It is so beautifully absurd, over the top and decadent. Victor is so ridiculously pathetic, naive and lacking foresight. The monster is so delightfully petty, verbose and melancholy to the point of giving emo vibes. I think I took it a lot more seriously before, and that was necessary for me at the time. The darker parts of the novel really inspired a lot of what I enjoy reading and what I enjoy writing. But now, I've been inspired again by the lighter parts of the novel. The ridiculousness of horror and the beauty that is required for real horror to shine through.
Thanks for the second wave of inspiration, Mary Shelley. Truly one of the absolute best to ever do it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
The language is certainly still a bit of a challenge and slowed down my normal reading pace and some enjoyment. I thought the change in narrative from Frankenstein to the monster was challenging, although I see that we are meant to see his humanity when he is watching the people in the cabin I just didn’t care much for their narrative- they’re new and come out of nowhere, it’s just hard to be invested in a large section of the book.
Many parts of this I did really enjoy and thought a lot of the writing was quite beautiful. I found it to be really exciting at times. I find it so interesting Frankenstein calls what he has created a daemon. From a Christian point of view this seems like then positioning himself as godly which— he created life, is he?
What I find most compelling in this story is the friendship and companionship that is being desired (monster and Walton) which Frankenstein has and is then taken from him in revenge.
My biggest problem is that Frankenstein is a huge loser. I find it so odd Walton thinks him so impressive and hero-like when he is so obviously a LOSER. I certainly could be misreading it or interpreting it in too modern a mindset but it feels it makes clear at the end the monster is certainly not the villain while he acted villainous he was not the one who was created and abandoned and treated like he was horrible just because he was ugly!
Excited to do some reading about the text now!!
Many parts of this I did really enjoy and thought a lot of the writing was quite beautiful. I found it to be really exciting at times. I find it so interesting Frankenstein calls what he has created a daemon. From a Christian point of view this seems like then positioning himself as godly which— he created life, is he?
What I find most compelling in this story is the friendship and companionship that is being desired (monster and Walton) which Frankenstein has and is then taken from him in revenge.
My biggest problem is that Frankenstein is a huge loser. I find it so odd Walton thinks him so impressive and hero-like when he is so obviously a LOSER. I certainly could be misreading it or interpreting it in too modern a mindset but it feels it makes clear at the end the monster is certainly not the villain while he acted villainous he was not the one who was created and abandoned and treated like he was horrible just because he was ugly!
Excited to do some reading about the text now!!