asa23 's review for:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

4.5

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I read this book as a senior in high school, but it must have been an abridged version because rereading it now felt like I was reading a the book for the very first time 😭 But truly, I understand why this book is a classic (the tale within a tale within a tale was so fun and revealing of truth) and why it’s so beloved as both a gothic horror and science fiction. While it’s a product of its past, it still has a very modern relevance regarding “otherness” and the superficiality of appearance and what it really means to be “human” or a “monster.” I personally loved how Frankenstein and his creature had that basic Creator (God) - Creation (human) relationship, but I mostly loved how Shelley alluded their parent-child relationship too. Shelley did such an incredible job in presenting how parental neglect and scorn affects children who are so dependent on elders for their security and survival. Frankenstein and the creature paralleled each other so frequently even if they considered the other their enemy, but that’s also why their spitefulness and vengeance felt like an internal conflict- as if they were fighting their own self. Seeing Frankenstein at the end of his life recognizing that he had a duty to care for his creation was actually so stunning and I think highlighted how parents may not see their faults until it’s too late. It’s just such a great book about nurture vs. nature and I enjoyed how Shelley ironically made nature (as the environment) something that could nurture and affect you. 

My main gripe with the book however was simply that it became a bit repetitive and lengthy near the end. It was like all the men in the story were having a misery olympics to see who suffered the most lol I kinda want a digital version of the book just to see how many times “miserable” and “wretched” and “anguish” were used. I did find it funny seeing them be so melodramatic and whine of their misfortunes, I just think it was ironic that their miseries stemmed from their own selfishness and pride. Anyway, I still loved the book and I’m glad I got to read it with a fresh mind in time for del Toro’s movie adaptation! 

Favorite quotes:
“I am malicious because I am miserable.”

“How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery!”