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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I don't know what exactly is going on really when I just put down Frankenstein. A lot of the books I have read for 2021 and 2022 have been read in a few days but Frankenstein was read over about two weeks with the chunks broken up by a few days of not-rest.
Having really only experienced the idea of Frankenstein in the osmosis of the Frankenstein IP in hundreds of thousands of different ideas of what Frankenstein's monster is or was, this book was a wild diversion from that for me.
What I was prepared for was a more philosophical look at building a human being, maybe a few strange things put into the novel like all classical books have, and I definitely expected the monster to be talking. Every time the book gets brought up online and especially in Tumblr, the point of the monster being able to talk is made constantly.
Although the creature spoke a lot more than I thought it would, it wasn't something I did not expect. I expected him to talk like a Shakespearian villain.
What I didn't expect was for most of the book to be about how Doctor Frankenstein feels incredibly guilty for creating the monster, a weird period about him needing to marry his cousin, a long talk with the monster himself where the monster wants a wife, and the monster just spying on a family for an incredibly long period.
I did understand a lot of the book but I am going to have to sit with it for a while and think about it. There was something rather poetic about the poor creature trying to learn how to be human by peeping through a hole only to be thrown out when he tried his best.
I will say that the monster does make me relate to it. Not in the murder and the swearing revenge but making sure that you are trying your best to act like a human being. The imagery of the monster basically spying on people, trying to learn how to be human, spoke to me deeply. Especially the few phrases and sentences about trying to learn the language, I felt that I understood how the monster was feeling.
However, the monster is of course the monster. The real protagonist is Frankenstein who isn't even a doctor. I will say that the joke about Frankenstein started out as a student who made a living person in his attic. However, most of the book is spent in a Crime and Punishment-esque situation where Frankenstein feels so horribly paranoid about the monster and its existence, becoming incredibly filled with guilt. The book is spent with Frankenstein having a panic attack constantly about the existence of this creature.
Hearing that Frankenstein carried pistols and a dagger to stab the monster if it ever arrives and even tracked the creature all the way to the arctic because the guilt of playing God has become all-consuming feels a little odd honestly. Frankenstein, in my mind, is meant to be either an evil scientist or a passive bitch (for lack of a better term). Seeing a Frankenstein who is carrying a gun and is horribly paranoid, who is deeply caring and in love with his wife, it feels like a breath of fresh air - despite being where Frankenstein actually began.
It is a fascinating book but the language of it sort of does make it difficult to read. I really enjoyed it. I am glad to have finally read it.
Having really only experienced the idea of Frankenstein in the osmosis of the Frankenstein IP in hundreds of thousands of different ideas of what Frankenstein's monster is or was, this book was a wild diversion from that for me.
What I was prepared for was a more philosophical look at building a human being, maybe a few strange things put into the novel like all classical books have, and I definitely expected the monster to be talking. Every time the book gets brought up online and especially in Tumblr, the point of the monster being able to talk is made constantly.
Although the creature spoke a lot more than I thought it would, it wasn't something I did not expect. I expected him to talk like a Shakespearian villain.
What I didn't expect was for most of the book to be about how Doctor Frankenstein feels incredibly guilty for creating the monster, a weird period about him needing to marry his cousin, a long talk with the monster himself where the monster wants a wife, and the monster just spying on a family for an incredibly long period.
I did understand a lot of the book but I am going to have to sit with it for a while and think about it. There was something rather poetic about the poor creature trying to learn how to be human by peeping through a hole only to be thrown out when he tried his best.
I will say that the monster does make me relate to it. Not in the murder and the swearing revenge but making sure that you are trying your best to act like a human being. The imagery of the monster basically spying on people, trying to learn how to be human, spoke to me deeply. Especially the few phrases and sentences about trying to learn the language, I felt that I understood how the monster was feeling.
However, the monster is of course the monster. The real protagonist is Frankenstein who isn't even a doctor. I will say that the joke about Frankenstein started out as a student who made a living person in his attic. However, most of the book is spent in a Crime and Punishment-esque situation where Frankenstein feels so horribly paranoid about the monster and its existence, becoming incredibly filled with guilt. The book is spent with Frankenstein having a panic attack constantly about the existence of this creature.
Hearing that Frankenstein carried pistols and a dagger to stab the monster if it ever arrives and even tracked the creature all the way to the arctic because the guilt of playing God has become all-consuming feels a little odd honestly. Frankenstein, in my mind, is meant to be either an evil scientist or a passive bitch (for lack of a better term). Seeing a Frankenstein who is carrying a gun and is horribly paranoid, who is deeply caring and in love with his wife, it feels like a breath of fresh air - despite being where Frankenstein actually began.
It is a fascinating book but the language of it sort of does make it difficult to read. I really enjoyed it. I am glad to have finally read it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Incest
Glad I read it! I like knowing the origins of such a classic figure in pop culture. Like a lot of classic lit, some bits did feel excessive. Like the 5-page descriptions of sea voyages. Or the story within a story within a letter within another story lol.
I did really enjoy the symbolism of the monster and its feelings about life. Someone said that the book is “about what happens when a man tries to have a baby without a woman ...” and I’m obsessed with that.
Was hoping it would be creepier but maybe my reading it at the beach/park in June didn’t help set the vibe?
I did really enjoy the symbolism of the monster and its feelings about life. Someone said that the book is “about what happens when a man tries to have a baby without a woman ...” and I’m obsessed with that.
Was hoping it would be creepier but maybe my reading it at the beach/park in June didn’t help set the vibe?
4.5☆
Qui est le monstre? Qui est le plus à blâmer le créateur, ce savant maudit ou la créature, cet être immonde de 8 pieds?
Le monstre...le monstre, il n'a pas de nom. il est seul et n'a point de semblable. il est rejeté dans la nature et essaie de s'intégrer mais en vain. même son créateur n'en veut pas. pourtant il est doté d'intelligence et d'éloquence. il est sensible et bon jusqu'à ce que tout change face au rejet de son créateur. et là, la haine prend le pas sur la bonté. Qui est le monstre? le Véritable monstre?
ce livre m'a poussé dans de reflexions assez profondes. le Monstre est humain et l'Humain se comporte comme un monstre. il se sent seul face au monde et à l'adversité. Qu'en serait-il si l'Homme pouvait régler ses ''comptes'' directement en face à face avec son créateur? ou plutôt... Qu'en serait-il si l'Homme pouvait ainsi donner vie?
Un monument de la littérature dont je ne pourrais saisir tout le sens et la subtilité avec une seule lecture. Á relire...
Qui est le monstre? Qui est le plus à blâmer le créateur, ce savant maudit ou la créature, cet être immonde de 8 pieds?
Le monstre...le monstre, il n'a pas de nom. il est seul et n'a point de semblable. il est rejeté dans la nature et essaie de s'intégrer mais en vain. même son créateur n'en veut pas. pourtant il est doté d'intelligence et d'éloquence. il est sensible et bon jusqu'à ce que tout change face au rejet de son créateur. et là, la haine prend le pas sur la bonté. Qui est le monstre? le Véritable monstre?
ce livre m'a poussé dans de reflexions assez profondes. le Monstre est humain et l'Humain se comporte comme un monstre. il se sent seul face au monde et à l'adversité. Qu'en serait-il si l'Homme pouvait régler ses ''comptes'' directement en face à face avec son créateur? ou plutôt... Qu'en serait-il si l'Homme pouvait ainsi donner vie?
Un monument de la littérature dont je ne pourrais saisir tout le sens et la subtilité avec une seule lecture. Á relire...
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
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
dark
emotional
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes