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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
I'm struggling with how to rate this one. Incredible creativity and social commentary, likeable and detestable characters (many of them a bit of both), and so much to be uncomfortable about.
The audio reader did a great job of it, and I'm pretty sure I squirmed in all the right places. There were lots of squirmy places, let's be honest.
So many complicated feelings! Anger, disgust, confusion (Bella - what became of you in the end there?), relief, more disgust... I couldn't possibly give it 5 stars because there was just a bit too much ick, but it really was brilliant.
The audio reader did a great job of it, and I'm pretty sure I squirmed in all the right places. There were lots of squirmy places, let's be honest.
So many complicated feelings! Anger, disgust, confusion (Bella - what became of you in the end there?), relief, more disgust... I couldn't possibly give it 5 stars because there was just a bit too much ick, but it really was brilliant.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this one for book club - some of my girlfriends had seen the recent film adaptation and were suitable obsessed. I have to say I wasn't looking forward to reading - my reasons for apprehension weren't entirely unfounded. However, I was surprised by how much more I enjoyed the book than I had anticipated.
Fair warning - it's not an easy read, can be slow and a little tedious at times (lots of monologuing and manifestos). But it is an interesting one. It's one of those books that if you were to ask me if I enjoyed it I would probably say no, but I am still thinking about it and there was a lot to discuss in book club.
A gothic and Frankenstein-esq tale, with a theme on social commentary at a time of great industrial and innovative upheaval.
I think perhaps it simultaneously is ahead of it's time but also hasn't aged well (written in the 90s) and the film has mordernised it by focusing on Bella's pov with very little male voice. The book by contrast is very much from the male character's pov - but it is clever in that it manages to question societal norms and the treatment of women in a way that certainly mocks the male gaze. It's comical and unique in that way.
I would recommend reading as part of a book club and if you are wanting a challenging and thought-provoking book (the style itself is unconventional and was a lengthy discussion alone). If you are after an immersive escapism, this probably isn't the one. Think books you were forced to read in english-lit at school. Not your first choice, but definitely taught you something and will stick with you a while after reading.
Fair warning - it's not an easy read, can be slow and a little tedious at times (lots of monologuing and manifestos). But it is an interesting one. It's one of those books that if you were to ask me if I enjoyed it I would probably say no, but I am still thinking about it and there was a lot to discuss in book club.
A gothic and Frankenstein-esq tale, with a theme on social commentary at a time of great industrial and innovative upheaval.
I think perhaps it simultaneously is ahead of it's time but also hasn't aged well (written in the 90s) and the film has mordernised it by focusing on Bella's pov with very little male voice. The book by contrast is very much from the male character's pov - but it is clever in that it manages to question societal norms and the treatment of women in a way that certainly mocks the male gaze. It's comical and unique in that way.
I would recommend reading as part of a book club and if you are wanting a challenging and thought-provoking book (the style itself is unconventional and was a lengthy discussion alone). If you are after an immersive escapism, this probably isn't the one. Think books you were forced to read in english-lit at school. Not your first choice, but definitely taught you something and will stick with you a while after reading.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
❝To my nostrils, the book stinks of Victorianism. It is as sham gothic as the Scot monument, Glasgow university, St Pancras station, and the Houses of Parliament.❞
I love it when I’m struggling through a book, and there’s one character who agrees with you and voices their disgust and disappointment.
adventurous
dark
funny
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
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
This is a tough one to comment on. It's a clever postmodern book— heavily satirical of Victorian Era novels and well written as such. It takes the elements of the literature (and attitudes) of that time and isn't afraid to turn them on it's head. Bella/Victoria does spend a lot of time being viewed though the eyes of men and some of it made my skin crawl (the idea of the childlike woman as the perfect woman being realized though her literally having a child's brain is both genius and gross). Of course, that was the point.
Giving Bella/Victoria her own voice in her letter at the end was very needed. Now I'm going to spend some time contemplating unreliable narrators.
At the same time, I can't really say I *liked* the book. But I admire the skill it took to pull it off. So I don't know if my rating is fair. I'll have to think about it.
Giving Bella/Victoria her own voice in her letter at the end was very needed. Now I'm going to spend some time contemplating unreliable narrators.
At the same time, I can't really say I *liked* the book. But I admire the skill it took to pull it off. So I don't know if my rating is fair. I'll have to think about it.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
reflective
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