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mldias's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I blazed through this (twelve hours or so, from the preface to the source notes on page 521, with some down time for watching a movie). This reimagining of Mary Shelley's life and the Frankenstein story was a brilliant idea--albeit a bit clumsy in execution. What I found particularly intriguing was the emphasis upon Cao Xueqin's classic "Dream of the Red Chamber", a story that constitutes a significant section of the disjointed story. This amplifies my desire to read my [ultra-abridged:] translation.
My issues with this book were similar to those mentioned in other reviews. It took me a long time, probably close to 200 pages, to get my bearings. Though Sheck differentiates between her characters' letters with various fonts, it took some time to determine which character represented which font. Moreover, I found it virtually impossible to differentiate between fictional correspondence and excerpts from actual letters and texts (though the source material in the back matter provided some clarification). Still, there is something deeply stirring about the monster's estrangement, a more introspective treatment of his total alienation than provided in "Frankenstein" itself. The story also illuminates the personal tragedies that must have crept into Shelley's work, offering ample fodder for biographical critics.
Overall, a solid, well researched effort.
My issues with this book were similar to those mentioned in other reviews. It took me a long time, probably close to 200 pages, to get my bearings. Though Sheck differentiates between her characters' letters with various fonts, it took some time to determine which character represented which font. Moreover, I found it virtually impossible to differentiate between fictional correspondence and excerpts from actual letters and texts (though the source material in the back matter provided some clarification). Still, there is something deeply stirring about the monster's estrangement, a more introspective treatment of his total alienation than provided in "Frankenstein" itself. The story also illuminates the personal tragedies that must have crept into Shelley's work, offering ample fodder for biographical critics.
Overall, a solid, well researched effort.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
3.0
I'm undecided as to how i feel about this book. It is obviously painstakingly researched and thought out. I like the idea that it proposes Frankenstein's monster met p with mary shelley when she was a little girl, b/c that's the kind of speculative shit i can get behind. And frankly, the whole Shelley entourage is fascinating. But the fragments... The lack of a strict narrative... The excessive existential philosophy... Ugh. Too postmodern for me, i'm having flashback to that insane class i took on postmodernism in college. Call me an old softie, i like a classic narrative voice.
seawarrior's review
While I started this book excited about its potential, I soon ran out of motivation to continue it. The writing style is more of a long form poem than a novel, with most passages vague and disjointed. The author seems impressively well read, but many of her philosophical references went over my head and diminished my interest in attempting to finish the book. I may try to read it again some other time if I ever feel I've developed the focus required to get through it.
adrielleshay's review against another edition
1.0
I did not find this to be a pleasurable read. For all the lovely language and meticulous research, I'm sorry to say that this beast of a book doesn't have much meat.
The reader is continuously and ferociously pounded by same themes. Each section has it's own emotional/philosophical focus and specific imagery which is repeated to the point of inciting eye-rolling and even page skipping. I believe a drastic paring down the the length of this volume could have made it something more meaningful. 520 pages is too much space to use in saying something that could be said in 120.
The reader is continuously and ferociously pounded by same themes. Each section has it's own emotional/philosophical focus and specific imagery which is repeated to the point of inciting eye-rolling and even page skipping. I believe a drastic paring down the the length of this volume could have made it something more meaningful. 520 pages is too much space to use in saying something that could be said in 120.
tee_tuhm's review against another edition
1.0
This plodded. Hit you over the head with itself. Going to reread Frankenstein next to recover, more than likely.
kellbellhells's review against another edition
2.0
This is a book of prose poetry, not an actual novel. Not that genre-defying, honestly.
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