Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

4 reviews

sashajwolf's review against another edition

2.5

dark emotional slow-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

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It's difficult for me to review this fairly, since Gothic horror is generally not to my taste. I read this for a challenge and would have dnf'd it otherwise. I recognise the role it played in the development of the horror and SF genres. However, I found the story unconvincing. It's a teenage work, and it shows. Characters make impulsive and implausible decisions, and the general atmosphere is overwrought. There are odd time jumps, and I had trouble suspending my disbelief at the creature's ability to educate himself. There are three narrators, but their voices are indistinguishable. Frankenstein's travels seem to be motivated by an authorial  desire to cram in as many picturesque landscapes as possible rather than any real contribution to the plot. The parallels between parenthood and creation are to me the most interesting aspect of the story, but are not adequately explored.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Classism

Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol

riverofhorton's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 19%

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I decided to DNF this particular version simply because I discovered this to be the heavily edited 1831 version, and I would rather read the original 1818 version.

That said, I was enjoying it up to that discovery and as such will be purchasing and reading a copy of the 1818 text at some point in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

singalana's review against another edition

4.5

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

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

amissabellator's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Colonisation, Classism

Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail