Reviews

3.6 - Probably would have enjoyed it more if I read it in a book club or lit class with discussions. I read the later version (1830 maybe?) but didn't see that as an option here. I found it a bit whiny and boring. Too much pondering and dialogue- and the monster just didn't do it for me. Didn't care for Frankenstein either- I wasn't convinced of his relationships with his loved ones and therefore their fates didn't affect me. Also would have liked some more details pertaining to the creation of the monster, that seemed kinda glossed over. Idk it just didn't do it for me but regardless it was a great book that made me think.. something I could do a little more often...

draculaura_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad 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

davedoran's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

threadysetsunshine's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective

5.0

m_zsuzsi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

pikachihiro's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely adore Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. She was a marvel of a woman during her time and persevered to edit and perfect "Frankenstein" despite the continuously harsh criticism from scholarly critics and the public. Feel free to disagree with my term "perfect," but consider the many obstacles she faced and overcame: writing as a woman in a time when women had no proud place in society, writing a novel that threatened the established moral boundaries of her time period, making a name for herself that is separate from her parents and husband - albeit this recognition was extremity late, the distinction is important. Mary outstretches her parents'/husband's influence in our present day society - at least, in common circles/those who are ignorant of late 1800/early 1900 works by William Godwin, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. (For almost every child in our society - despite the misconceptions of who Frankenstein actually is - knows the story of a "monster" being brought to life in an "unnatural" way). As well, Mary's novel brings important, philosophical questions to mind for any age group: Is knowledge dangerous? How much responsibility does one have when they've affected others thoughts/psychology/actions? What is nature-do we corrupt it and is there any way to be closer to purity through it? What determines someone being considered a monster? Not only does her text bring probing questions to mind, but it also brings light to debatable, striking themes: creation, murder, abortion, women's passivity. The lists go on. Please, next time you read "Frankenstein" - better even "The Modern Prometheus" - consider everything she went through. She was the only one from her summer vacation group that turned a ghost story contest into a fine work of fiction that is now studied in practically every high school and college across the nation. Even if you can "perfect" her work now, find flaws or weak notions, would have been able to do the same in her time? Even with help and years of revision, I don't think "anything I can ever hope to produce" (PBS) would be so great. This is why I credit Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley with five stars. (As well, why my cat's named after her.) Give it a second, or third, or first chance.

sanchan's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective

2.5

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