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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i would have given it 5 stars but i hated the ending :/// why can't they just be happy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed reading this classic immensely! I'm so glad that I decided to start it in the heart of winter just after the holidays since I discovered so much of the mood is wrapped up in desolate, frigid landscapes & frozen tundra.
If you've only ever watched the 1930s movie like me, then the original 1818 version will feel like a completely new story to you!
I appreciated how much heart, empathy, passion & flaws we see as both Victor & his creature explore the same feelings (believing that they're completely different from one another) such as hubris, the spectrum of morality, justice, & if wickedness is due to nature or nurture. The book even begins & ends through the lens of a third party, leaving us the reader free to sympathize a bit with both Victor & his creature who are at such odds with each other.
I didn't expect to get as emotionally invested in the characters as I did--it was a pleasant surprise to find myself hoping, grieving & crying on their behalf, especially the monster who so desperately & sincerely loves people & longs to be accepted for who he is on the insideđź’”
The middle of the novel could drag on at times, especially as Victor traveled and couldn't shake his fears, regrets & melancholy no matter who he was with or what he was doing for long. In the begin & by the end though, events picked up again in anticipation & drama leaving me at the edge of my seat!
There may be a little good & evil in everyone, & this novel explores in depth just how much enemies can be more similar than they'd like to believe. I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little (or a lot) of gray area & want to try a classic where emotions are a strong motivation--both for the characters & us as readers!
If you've only ever watched the 1930s movie like me, then the original 1818 version will feel like a completely new story to you!
I appreciated how much heart, empathy, passion & flaws we see as both Victor & his creature explore the same feelings (believing that they're completely different from one another) such as hubris, the spectrum of morality, justice, & if wickedness is due to nature or nurture. The book even begins & ends through the lens of a third party, leaving us the reader free to sympathize a bit with both Victor & his creature who are at such odds with each other.
I didn't expect to get as emotionally invested in the characters as I did--it was a pleasant surprise to find myself hoping, grieving & crying on their behalf, especially the monster who so desperately & sincerely loves people & longs to be accepted for who he is on the insideđź’”
The middle of the novel could drag on at times, especially as Victor traveled and couldn't shake his fears, regrets & melancholy no matter who he was with or what he was doing for long. In the begin & by the end though, events picked up again in anticipation & drama leaving me at the edge of my seat!
There may be a little good & evil in everyone, & this novel explores in depth just how much enemies can be more similar than they'd like to believe. I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little (or a lot) of gray area & want to try a classic where emotions are a strong motivation--both for the characters & us as readers!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely gorgeous. I need to reread it soon but also I completely understand why this is a classic and why it’s had such a cultural impact. Gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Murder, Dysphoria
Moderate: Body horror
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
This is my very first time actually reading Frankenstein. I can say I’m happy to have read such an occult classic.
In Frankenstein you explore the question of what makes a monster. Is it nature or nurture? Are you born a monster? Or do the actions of others and trauma that happens to you cause the monster in you to come forth?
I can understand why Frankenstein has stood the test of time, it is a powerful, and telling novel now in 2024, I can’t imagine what it was like when it was first published. Frankenstein gave the science fiction genre its name.
I listened to the audiobook and while it was good, I found myself zoning out. I don’t know why because I did enjoy the story. It did at times feel like it was dragging, but most older books like these tend to feel like that to me.
Mary Shelley was a writer beyond her time. To have come up with the idea of Frankenstein at only 18 years old, and from an odd prompt to write a horror story, it’s incredible. Especially being a woman in 1816 writing this.
At times you can’t help but feel for Frankenstein’s monster, he is an ugly abomination in a time where appearance was what people first noticed about you. He was also abandoned by his maker before he could even open his eyes. But, you can also see Victor’s struggle as well and his deep remorse and guilt over creating such a creature.
In Frankenstein you explore the question of what makes a monster. Is it nature or nurture? Are you born a monster? Or do the actions of others and trauma that happens to you cause the monster in you to come forth?
I can understand why Frankenstein has stood the test of time, it is a powerful, and telling novel now in 2024, I can’t imagine what it was like when it was first published. Frankenstein gave the science fiction genre its name.
I listened to the audiobook and while it was good, I found myself zoning out. I don’t know why because I did enjoy the story. It did at times feel like it was dragging, but most older books like these tend to feel like that to me.
Mary Shelley was a writer beyond her time. To have come up with the idea of Frankenstein at only 18 years old, and from an odd prompt to write a horror story, it’s incredible. Especially being a woman in 1816 writing this.
At times you can’t help but feel for Frankenstein’s monster, he is an ugly abomination in a time where appearance was what people first noticed about you. He was also abandoned by his maker before he could even open his eyes. But, you can also see Victor’s struggle as well and his deep remorse and guilt over creating such a creature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's really interesting how different the book was from the media based off it! Really cool to analyze.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Incest, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide