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ohlhauc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I had read this in high school and remember feeling it was okay but upon a re-read many years later, I absolutely loved it! No wonder it is a classic.
What's interesting is how much the story isn't focused on the Creature (his name isn't Frankenstein; that's the name of the scientist who created him FYI) apart from the middle section where it shares its story. In that section, you definitely see the premise of how violence begets violence, and how a monster is made not just literally in this sense but because of how the world mistreats it. It really makes you think about your own prejudices against things that are different, scary, or not understood - and how your response can have a big impact on the world.
The rest of the book focuses on Victor Frankenstein and his terror at creating something he considers so horrendous, and then as tries to reckon what to do as the Creature begins to murder people who are close to him. It's very much a psychological horror and the descriptions of Frankenstein going mad were so sharp, I felt unsettled reading it as if I was watching him fall apart.
The writing was gorgeous - word choice, and especially pacing. Highly recommend.
What's interesting is how much the story isn't focused on the Creature (his name isn't Frankenstein; that's the name of the scientist who created him FYI) apart from the middle section where it shares its story. In that section, you definitely see the premise of how violence begets violence, and how a monster is made not just literally in this sense but because of how the world mistreats it. It really makes you think about your own prejudices against things that are different, scary, or not understood - and how your response can have a big impact on the world.
The rest of the book focuses on Victor Frankenstein and his terror at creating something he considers so horrendous, and then as tries to reckon what to do as the Creature begins to murder people who are close to him. It's very much a psychological horror and the descriptions of Frankenstein going mad were so sharp, I felt unsettled reading it as if I was watching him fall apart.
The writing was gorgeous - word choice, and especially pacing. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
The whole series of my life appeared to me as a dream; I sometimes doubted if indeed it were all true, for it never presented itself to my mind with the force of reality. - Frankenstein
Thus the harrowing tale of Frankenstein and his monster begins. This was such a creative and well-told story which I enjoyed to the very end. Mary Shelley is such an excellent writer; her frame narrative perfectly fit the story she was telling, as it allowed readers to sympathize with both Frankenstein and the creature, as well as get an outside perspective through Walton. She warns us not too take creativity too far - there is a line between science and destruction, and we cannot cross it.
I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel...The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone. - the Creature
The edition I read - the penguin edition - was a great edition! I felt that the book was set up well and easy to understand. Walton's letters were a major part of Volumes I and III, with the creature's story as the bulk of Volume II. This edition was also great because it included the author's introduction as well as notes on the 1818 and 1831 editions (this edition was based on the 1831 copy).
I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other. - the Creature
I absolutely loved this book, and I would definitely recommend it as an easy-to-read classic.
Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. - Frankenstein
Reread: March 2021
The DRAMA, the ROMANCE, the HORROR!
Mary Godwin Shelley, you are a master.
Thus the harrowing tale of Frankenstein and his monster begins. This was such a creative and well-told story which I enjoyed to the very end. Mary Shelley is such an excellent writer; her frame narrative perfectly fit the story she was telling, as it allowed readers to sympathize with both Frankenstein and the creature, as well as get an outside perspective through Walton. She warns us not too take creativity too far - there is a line between science and destruction, and we cannot cross it.
I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel...The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone. - the Creature
The edition I read - the penguin edition - was a great edition! I felt that the book was set up well and easy to understand. Walton's letters were a major part of Volumes I and III, with the creature's story as the bulk of Volume II. This edition was also great because it included the author's introduction as well as notes on the 1818 and 1831 editions (this edition was based on the 1831 copy).
I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other. - the Creature
I absolutely loved this book, and I would definitely recommend it as an easy-to-read classic.
Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. - Frankenstein
Reread: March 2021
The DRAMA, the ROMANCE, the HORROR!
Mary Godwin Shelley, you are a master.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Gore and Stalking
Minor: Gun violence and Incest
valyn_grebe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I began reading this book thinking that it was going to be a great read, and for me, it wasn’t. It was just okay. I had trouble connecting with the characters. I generally disliked Victor Frankenstein, because he never thought about the consequences of his actions or how the Monster would react to life. Thus, the Monster has terrible and vile behavior due to his creator’s lack of foresight in his work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Stalking, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Body horror
waywardkangaroo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, and Grief
hatterell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
camilleingram's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Mary Shelley's lack of experience in writing is very prominent in this book, with every character sounding extremely similar in point of view. However, the story is really gripping and incredibly interesting. I analyzed this book in an English class, and it's been the best book to analyze so far. There are so many ways to look at and read this novel, and in-depth character analysis was honestly so interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Incest
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Grief
martyrdomx5's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Incest, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Minor: Religious bigotry
knightbirds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Medical trauma
raoulalexander's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Racism
jowmy4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The story is certainly a well-written, interesting read, with a good premise and plot. The chapters from the creature's perspective are the closest to 'enjoyable', but the other parts of the narrative are usually slow, often depressing and occassionally infuriating. I have a feeling that was the author's intention, but all the same - while I'm glad I have read the book - I probably won't be rushing to reread it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Xenophobia