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A review by cassieoneal
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
2.0
I did not enjoy most of this book. (There were a few entertaining parts, such as the creature’s “adopted” family in the cottage and their trials.) However, The more I learn about the author, the more it makes sense that the story has so many holes and mistakes. For instance, that Shelley was only 18 when she wrote it. Also that it was written as a kind of dare amongst friends to entertain themselves on a rainy evening. And of course, her very disturbing personal misadventures in love and life.
The biggest issue I take with Dr Frankenstein is the lack of personal responsibility that he, the narrator, takes in his own misery and suffering of which he constantly complains. He is the creator of the creature. He is the one who let the monster run off and did not even think to try to find the creature or at least find out what he is doing for two years. **Spoilers** Then he is shocked and saddened when the monster kills his brother. But this is not enough to incite young Frankenstein’s anger or need for revenge. No. He is not spurred into action until four more of his family and friends are killed by the monster. **end of spoiler**
The amount of time spent on talking about emotional turmoil and also of endless travel from one place to the next is exhausting. The lack of guilt on the narrator’s part is infuriating.**spoiler**The ease with which his friend is convicted of murder on seemingly consequential evidence is maddening. **end** It is very hard to be believe the genius, goodness and overall amazing person Frankenstein is because his actions do not support this even though the other characters in the book (and even he, himself does as well) repeat over and over that he is a benevolent and wonderful being.
I would not recommend this book. I can see how it became a classic because of its daring and different subject matter from the time and that it was written by a woman, but I did not believe the characters’ motives or their personalities. It was hard to hope for success for any of them.
The biggest issue I take with Dr Frankenstein is the lack of personal responsibility that he, the narrator, takes in his own misery and suffering of which he constantly complains. He is the creator of the creature. He is the one who let the monster run off and did not even think to try to find the creature or at least find out what he is doing for two years. **Spoilers** Then he is shocked and saddened when the monster kills his brother. But this is not enough to incite young Frankenstein’s anger or need for revenge. No. He is not spurred into action until four more of his family and friends are killed by the monster. **end of spoiler**
The amount of time spent on talking about emotional turmoil and also of endless travel from one place to the next is exhausting. The lack of guilt on the narrator’s part is infuriating.**spoiler**The ease with which his friend is convicted of murder on seemingly consequential evidence is maddening. **end** It is very hard to be believe the genius, goodness and overall amazing person Frankenstein is because his actions do not support this even though the other characters in the book (and even he, himself does as well) repeat over and over that he is a benevolent and wonderful being.
I would not recommend this book. I can see how it became a classic because of its daring and different subject matter from the time and that it was written by a woman, but I did not believe the characters’ motives or their personalities. It was hard to hope for success for any of them.