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A review by basil_touche
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Re-reading four years later for a bookclub and it still impresses me how readable this novel still is 205 years later. If I can give a criticism, the narrative can be a tad long winded, especially with Frankenstein's narrative. Although the creature's narrative is the best part of the book (he's the best character).
I found it quite interesting that in the narrative the way the creature is brought to life is deliberately kept vague, with only minor implications to body parts and grave robbing. Also I understood more of the biblical and literary references this time. The fact that Mary Shelley wrote this when she was eighteen and created modern science fiction as we know it blows my mind. Still one of my favourite classic novels.
I found it quite interesting that in the narrative the way the creature is brought to life is deliberately kept vague, with only minor implications to body parts and grave robbing. Also I understood more of the biblical and literary references this time. The fact that Mary Shelley wrote this when she was eighteen and created modern science fiction as we know it blows my mind. Still one of my favourite classic novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence