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A review by pattydsf
This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee
3.0
“We're all monsters. We're all careless and cruel in the end.”
After finishing Frankenstein 18 months ago, I figured I was done with the story for a little while. I was proud that I had read another classic that I should have read years ago, but I was not interested in more monsters any time soon.
That was fine, until I was introduced to this YA novel. Shelley’s book is already speculative fiction, so what would it be like to read a retelling of her tale? It turns out that this story was a lot of fun. Since I know the Frankenstein story, I could see where Lee made changes and how that changed the story. It is fascinating that Lee invented a world where clockwork humans were a possibility. I had a great time.
If you haven’t read Frankenstein, this book may not be as much fun to read. However, I am guessing that This Monstrous Thing could be a good intro to Shelley’s novel. One way or another if you like science fiction you should look into this book.
As always, one book that I am reading will influence the other ones in my pile. I was reading Hunger by Roxane Gay while I was reading this one. I felt like so many people were cruel to Gay and that is part of why the quote above caught my interest. However, I can’t believe that that is true. I really do pray that I can keep from being careless and cruel as much as possible. The world depends on the kindness of strangers.
After finishing Frankenstein 18 months ago, I figured I was done with the story for a little while. I was proud that I had read another classic that I should have read years ago, but I was not interested in more monsters any time soon.
That was fine, until I was introduced to this YA novel. Shelley’s book is already speculative fiction, so what would it be like to read a retelling of her tale? It turns out that this story was a lot of fun. Since I know the Frankenstein story, I could see where Lee made changes and how that changed the story. It is fascinating that Lee invented a world where clockwork humans were a possibility. I had a great time.
If you haven’t read Frankenstein, this book may not be as much fun to read. However, I am guessing that This Monstrous Thing could be a good intro to Shelley’s novel. One way or another if you like science fiction you should look into this book.
As always, one book that I am reading will influence the other ones in my pile. I was reading Hunger by Roxane Gay while I was reading this one. I felt like so many people were cruel to Gay and that is part of why the quote above caught my interest. However, I can’t believe that that is true. I really do pray that I can keep from being careless and cruel as much as possible. The world depends on the kindness of strangers.