A review by knightley18
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley

5.0

This is a very uniquely written novel with it’s rings of narrative. It’s like Inception but in a book rather than a dream. Readers see each narrative through the eyes of a different listener. When the monster told his story, I imagined what Frankenstein might be thinking as he listened. And whoever Margaret is, her brother is rather self-indulgent. But then so is Frankenstein and even the monster. Meanwhile, the prose is so incredibly formal and detailed, we are either to believe Walton has astounding memory (and patience) or a lot of the story is embellished. Although, Shelley did try to offer an explanation for this.

Overall, the novel is extremely thought-provoking. What makes a monster and what makes a man? Is there even a distinction? It’s rather perfect really that people confuse the monster for being named Frankenstein because in many ways, they are just the same. And like all of us, they are given a choice in how they respond to their plights. If you ask me, they both repeatedly made the wrong ones, and it was utterly fascinating to watch them do it.