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A review by mldias
A Monster's Notes by Laurie Sheck
4.0
Wow. I blazed through this (twelve hours or so, from the preface to the source notes on page 521, with some down time for watching a movie). This reimagining of Mary Shelley's life and the Frankenstein story was a brilliant idea--albeit a bit clumsy in execution. What I found particularly intriguing was the emphasis upon Cao Xueqin's classic "Dream of the Red Chamber", a story that constitutes a significant section of the disjointed story. This amplifies my desire to read my [ultra-abridged:] translation.
My issues with this book were similar to those mentioned in other reviews. It took me a long time, probably close to 200 pages, to get my bearings. Though Sheck differentiates between her characters' letters with various fonts, it took some time to determine which character represented which font. Moreover, I found it virtually impossible to differentiate between fictional correspondence and excerpts from actual letters and texts (though the source material in the back matter provided some clarification). Still, there is something deeply stirring about the monster's estrangement, a more introspective treatment of his total alienation than provided in "Frankenstein" itself. The story also illuminates the personal tragedies that must have crept into Shelley's work, offering ample fodder for biographical critics.
Overall, a solid, well researched effort.
My issues with this book were similar to those mentioned in other reviews. It took me a long time, probably close to 200 pages, to get my bearings. Though Sheck differentiates between her characters' letters with various fonts, it took some time to determine which character represented which font. Moreover, I found it virtually impossible to differentiate between fictional correspondence and excerpts from actual letters and texts (though the source material in the back matter provided some clarification). Still, there is something deeply stirring about the monster's estrangement, a more introspective treatment of his total alienation than provided in "Frankenstein" itself. The story also illuminates the personal tragedies that must have crept into Shelley's work, offering ample fodder for biographical critics.
Overall, a solid, well researched effort.