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themandimonster's review against another edition
5.0
A great anthology, for sure, but my favorite story was the last one, "Mary Shelley's Body" by David Templeton. It was truly a poetic and breathtaking story. Every story in the book was good, but that one was especially amazing. I'm happy to have read this book and to add it to my Frankenstein collection.
kpombiere's review against another edition
2.0
Sixteen short stories can't be saved by one good one at the end and maybe one or two middling ones throughout.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a long time genre reader you know there are hundreds upon hundreds of anthologies that come out every year. Some good, some bad and a few that are just amazing. There are few names that you can see on the edited by line that promise really good work. Some that come to mind for me include Ellen Datlow, Paula Guran, John Skipp and Douglas Winter. In the past names like Martin Greenberg, Charles Grant and Harlan Ellison were the best in the business. I think it is safe to assume we have a new contender putting his hat in the ring.
Ross Lockhart had done enough to garner that consideration with a trilogy of Lovecraftian collections that include Book of Cthulu book one and two. His Tales of Jack the Ripper and Giallo Fantastique are rich examples of his skill. These collections don't just happen for no reason Lockhart released the Ripper anthology on the 125th Quasquicentennial of the murders. So we have this collection in 2016 the 200th anniversary of the year without summer, the year she first conceived of the story which made her famous. Although she didn't write Frankenstein until two years later.
Frankenstein's monster and the novel itself has had 200 years to build up a mythology that has expanded beyond just sequels but original films like the Bride or novels like The Brian Aldiss classic Frankenstein Unbound. The idea of a Lockhart edited collection of Frankenstein stories is just almost too good to be true. I know that Lockhart has a keen eye for fresh takes on classic stories. Shelley's Modern Promethus was a story that had many angles and paths the authors could take.
There are many authors in the table of contents I am already a fan of such as Edward Morris, Orrin Grey and Tiffany Scandal. There were several I have met but never read like Mike Griffin, Anya Martin and Autumn Christian. Several I had never heard of before. This collection does something I am not sure I have seen before - perfect gender balance.
No anthology is going to be perfect, when I read one there will often be stories I don't enjoy as much as others, for me a collection is good when I enjoy more stories than not. 50% is a good average for many but Lockhart anthologies rarely have flat-out stinkers. They are often collected in order to build off each others themes. My two favorite stories include science fiction takes from Autumn Christian's Sewn Into Her Fingers and Edward Morris's Frankenstein Triptych. Two other stand outs were Tiffany Scandal and Damian Angelica Walters tales which explored childhood and the horrors of school. Nathan Carson and Anya Martin explored connections to the Hollywood film. Those six were my favorites of the collection.
The only weakness I could find was that the first two stories while setting a traditional gothic tone were the flattest of the book for me. The second part of Frankenstein Triptych by Edward Morris is one of the stronger short pieces he has written in a long career of anthology appearances and as a friend I was really proud of him. Autumn Christian displayed a skill that had me itching to read more. Since those came early found myself thinking they were a better hook for readers.
There are essential anthologies like Dark Forces, Dangerous Visions and Prime evil that must be read. I think Lockhart is making a case for his ability to deliver that kind of quality. I don't think this is essential unless you really love all things Frankenstein, that being said this is state of the art horror fiction. If you respect great writing and want to see what some powerful young writers are doing with a classic tale then you will be pleased. I for one loved it. Word Horde doesn't again.
Ross Lockhart had done enough to garner that consideration with a trilogy of Lovecraftian collections that include Book of Cthulu book one and two. His Tales of Jack the Ripper and Giallo Fantastique are rich examples of his skill. These collections don't just happen for no reason Lockhart released the Ripper anthology on the 125th Quasquicentennial of the murders. So we have this collection in 2016 the 200th anniversary of the year without summer, the year she first conceived of the story which made her famous. Although she didn't write Frankenstein until two years later.
Frankenstein's monster and the novel itself has had 200 years to build up a mythology that has expanded beyond just sequels but original films like the Bride or novels like The Brian Aldiss classic Frankenstein Unbound. The idea of a Lockhart edited collection of Frankenstein stories is just almost too good to be true. I know that Lockhart has a keen eye for fresh takes on classic stories. Shelley's Modern Promethus was a story that had many angles and paths the authors could take.
There are many authors in the table of contents I am already a fan of such as Edward Morris, Orrin Grey and Tiffany Scandal. There were several I have met but never read like Mike Griffin, Anya Martin and Autumn Christian. Several I had never heard of before. This collection does something I am not sure I have seen before - perfect gender balance.
No anthology is going to be perfect, when I read one there will often be stories I don't enjoy as much as others, for me a collection is good when I enjoy more stories than not. 50% is a good average for many but Lockhart anthologies rarely have flat-out stinkers. They are often collected in order to build off each others themes. My two favorite stories include science fiction takes from Autumn Christian's Sewn Into Her Fingers and Edward Morris's Frankenstein Triptych. Two other stand outs were Tiffany Scandal and Damian Angelica Walters tales which explored childhood and the horrors of school. Nathan Carson and Anya Martin explored connections to the Hollywood film. Those six were my favorites of the collection.
The only weakness I could find was that the first two stories while setting a traditional gothic tone were the flattest of the book for me. The second part of Frankenstein Triptych by Edward Morris is one of the stronger short pieces he has written in a long career of anthology appearances and as a friend I was really proud of him. Autumn Christian displayed a skill that had me itching to read more. Since those came early found myself thinking they were a better hook for readers.
There are essential anthologies like Dark Forces, Dangerous Visions and Prime evil that must be read. I think Lockhart is making a case for his ability to deliver that kind of quality. I don't think this is essential unless you really love all things Frankenstein, that being said this is state of the art horror fiction. If you respect great writing and want to see what some powerful young writers are doing with a classic tale then you will be pleased. I for one loved it. Word Horde doesn't again.
lindakat's review against another edition
4.0
The Eternal Frankenstein anthology was, as a whole, quite well written, however some of the stories really weren't that great, instead closer to the lines of predictable and boring.
I rate this book four stars despite my boredom or distaste to a couple of the stories since the ones I liked, were really, really interesting a few even with twists that made me gasp or laugh, and the concluding story of Mary Shelley's Body tied everything together so nicely.
Interesting is a good word to describe this collection of short stories, as they, as a collection address the morality behind resurrection and the creation of new life, rather than being overly gruesome, gory or horrific it was thought-provoking.
Would for sure recommend, to someone who likes a provocative read shrouded with a gothic setting.
I rate this book four stars despite my boredom or distaste to a couple of the stories since the ones I liked, were really, really interesting a few even with twists that made me gasp or laugh, and the concluding story of Mary Shelley's Body tied everything together so nicely.
Interesting is a good word to describe this collection of short stories, as they, as a collection address the morality behind resurrection and the creation of new life, rather than being overly gruesome, gory or horrific it was thought-provoking.
Would for sure recommend, to someone who likes a provocative read shrouded with a gothic setting.
cemeterygates's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
cbrich21416gmailcom's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book of short stories based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Each one has a different take on Frankenstein’s monster from a mother trying to keep her injured daughter whole to a couple trying to stay young. My favorite story was Mary Shelley’s body. It has her as the narrator telling how she went about writing Frankenstein, but also insight into her life. Torso, heart, head was way to short for me. But for the most part I enjoyed most of the stories.
micahcastle's review
4.0
Eternal Frankenstein is an anthology of sixteen stories, some long, some short, each with its own unique take on Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.
While all the stories found within are creative, with each author's take of revival through the horrifying means Victor Frankenstein took to to bring life to his Creature, there are some that I consider my favorite: Amber-Rose Reed's "Torso, Heart, Head," Autumn Christian's "Sewn into Her Fingers," Michael Griffin's "The Human Alchemy," Betty Rocksteady's "Postpartum," Tiffany Scandal's "They Call Me Monster," Nathan Carson's "Wither on the Vine; or, Strickfaden's Monster," and G.D. Falksen's "The New Soviet Man."
And although it was a lengthy read, a special note should be given for David Templeton's "Mary Shelley's Body" for it's beautiful prose, creative, informative plot with its quasi-biography/autobiography on/by Shelley, and satisfying ending.
While all the stories found within are creative, with each author's take of revival through the horrifying means Victor Frankenstein took to to bring life to his Creature, there are some that I consider my favorite: Amber-Rose Reed's "Torso, Heart, Head," Autumn Christian's "Sewn into Her Fingers," Michael Griffin's "The Human Alchemy," Betty Rocksteady's "Postpartum," Tiffany Scandal's "They Call Me Monster," Nathan Carson's "Wither on the Vine; or, Strickfaden's Monster," and G.D. Falksen's "The New Soviet Man."
And although it was a lengthy read, a special note should be given for David Templeton's "Mary Shelley's Body" for it's beautiful prose, creative, informative plot with its quasi-biography/autobiography on/by Shelley, and satisfying ending.
romireads's review
I read the first few stories, but found out that this one wasn't for me.
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