Reviews

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

didge24_09's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

foofers1622's review

5.0

The book was everything historical fiction should be and more! Peter Ackroyd does a great job keeping the story as close to the original "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelly. He just added one hell of a twist plot at the end and has historical figures of the time, Mary being one of them. A must read for any Frankenstein/1800's England lover. I can not wait to see what else Peter has done.

johnbreeden's review

5.0

I was quite surprised by this book. With the narration of the audio book and the storytelling, I was drawn in. I read some reviews talking about how it does not add anything to the original. I disagree. And, of course, the twist at the end. The story hints in the beginning about the science of resurrection being impossible. All the elements of Victor's electrical study tied to the uses of electricity expounded upon in the day. Then, he makes it happen. Yet by the end, we know that it did not. Then, we get to the ending - part one. It is revealed that the creature is Victor himself. Did he experiment upon himself and cause the illusion; or, was it already there? You have a realization of Frankenstein's obsession having possessed him. Then, another strike. The story is the casebook of a lunatic, Victor, held in an asylum. Did the events happen at all? Was Victor living entirely in his own imagination? What parts of the story are real, and what are illusion? I have to admit, I started to question everything the book showed. Every choice Victor made could be tied to his psyche.

Obviously, I enjoyed the book.

lizella's review

4.0

I have long been a fan of books that explore iconic characters in a new light. Capturing the flavor and cadence of the time period, The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein pulls the reader into the world of London through the eyes of the newly arrived Frankenstein. Quickly establishing the influences that shape his path, the story is engrossing in it pacing. An air of trepidation and dread lingers as Victor begins his exploration of science and the boundaries of the natural and unnatural world.

Building tension as the pace of the story gains momentum, Peter Akroyd leaves you retracing your steps as you reach the end. The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein that makes you reevaluate Victor's twisted path and its implications on the original telling of the tale.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

a_r_e_l_i_c's review against another edition

2.0

"This moth," he said, "is filled with life. Do you see how it circles around the candle flame? Do you believe that it enjoys its existence?"

"It seems to dance, Father. All living creatures must exert their energy."

"Yet this life, this enjoyment, cannot last."

"The moth does not know of death."

"So it believes itself to be immortal?"

"The concept of immortality does not occur. It is. That is enough. It does not live in time."

lizaroo71's review

4.0

this is an interesting premise and it does have a bit of a surprise ending (although when i thought about it, there are clues thrown into the storyline).

the story is of victor frankenstein and his friendship with the poet percy bysshe shelley. they meet at oxford university where frankenstein pursues his studies laboriously and shelley soon drops out. in his discussions with bysshe, victor becomes intrigued with modern science and begins to turn his attention to electricity and its powers of reanimation.

to this end, victor reanimates a living body. and this "creature" goes on to commit heinous crimes in order to seek revenge on his creator.

you get a lot of the big thinkers of the time thrown into the story: godwin, byron, mary shelley. and the plot is interesting enough to keep you reading.

i would be interesting in reading more by this author. ackroyd has a wide range of topics covered in his writing.

susannavs's review against another edition

4.0

Not the best Peter Ackroyd I've read, but I really enjoyed this! I'm racking my brains to remember whether or not I read Frankenstein at university like I was supposed to, but this makes me want to now...

Ackroyd has a gift - his evocation of London, and especially the Limehouse district, is amazing. You can tell, from this, and his other novels, that he truly loves the city - in all its guises.

theshadowplay's review against another edition

2.0

An interestinng retelling of The Frankenstein story (Which really doesn't need retelling as it is a fine book on it's own) I'm not sure why the historical figures were present. The end was a bit too quick and pat for my liking. Still though, it kept my interest and was an easy read.

adriennegorra's review

3.0

An interesting take on Shelley's Frankenstein. As a fan of the original, I probably would not recommend this novel to a fellow fan. If I had tried harder to dissociate the two versions, perhaps my reading experience would have been better and the ending might not have left me feeling so disappointed.

quercus707's review

4.0

I was suspicious at first; there were so many parts of this book that felt deja vu lifted straight from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - what could possibly be the original contribution of this novel? Well. It did not disappoint. Purporting to be the "true" story of Victor Frankenstein, from which Shelley got her version, this was a very satisfying, very creepy retelling of the classic. Most impressively, it was written in the language of the time: it reads just like Frankenstein, the original.

Basically, smash together two of my favorites - Frankenstein and Dr Jeykyll & Mr Hyde, and you get this book. Well done!