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emma's Reviews > Frankenstein
Frankenstein
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emma's review
bookshelves: owned, non-ya, classics, sci-fi, mystery-thriller-horror-etc, 4-stars, recommend, reviewed, beautifully-written
Jan 03, 2020
bookshelves: owned, non-ya, classics, sci-fi, mystery-thriller-horror-etc, 4-stars, recommend, reviewed, beautifully-written
Don’t get why everyone spends so much time talking about “the theme of science versus nature” and how this is “the world’s first science fiction novel” when clearly this is the world’s pre-eminent text on the subject of the dire consequences of procrastination.
But whatever.
This book rules.
First off, it’s very funny to imagine old-timey 1800s people being scared by this. It’s in the same vein as thinking of that urban legend about the people who watched the first movie screaming when the train races toward them. “AAAAAH! I AM IN A THEATER, BUT I’M ABOUT TO GET HIT BY A TRAIN!!! HERE IT COMES! TELL MY WIFE I LOVE HER!”
I highly recommend reading it through that lens. Just thinking about that original audience who thought this was a horror. “Oh, my stars! A creature of most unholy origin! I daren’t think of it!” Idiots.
Again, I digress.
This is so beautifully written. It really forces you to slow down and take the story in, just so you don’t miss a gorgeous line - which in turn makes you appreciate how many great and beautifully executed themes there are at play.
Count me impressed.
But again, I’m mostly just thinkin’ bout how #relatable Frankenstein is.
And also the fact that I can Finally I can be one of those assholes who’s like “Frankenstein is the SCIENTIST, not the monster!!!!”
I’m living the dream.
Bottom line: This is nonstop fun and everyone should have (read: read) it.
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currently-reading updates
can already relate to victor frankenstein as i, too, create massive problems and then avoid dealing with them until the repercussions threaten to destroy my life and even then am kinda like "ok but do i have to"
But whatever.
This book rules.
First off, it’s very funny to imagine old-timey 1800s people being scared by this. It’s in the same vein as thinking of that urban legend about the people who watched the first movie screaming when the train races toward them. “AAAAAH! I AM IN A THEATER, BUT I’M ABOUT TO GET HIT BY A TRAIN!!! HERE IT COMES! TELL MY WIFE I LOVE HER!”
I highly recommend reading it through that lens. Just thinking about that original audience who thought this was a horror. “Oh, my stars! A creature of most unholy origin! I daren’t think of it!” Idiots.
Again, I digress.
This is so beautifully written. It really forces you to slow down and take the story in, just so you don’t miss a gorgeous line - which in turn makes you appreciate how many great and beautifully executed themes there are at play.
Count me impressed.
But again, I’m mostly just thinkin’ bout how #relatable Frankenstein is.
And also the fact that I can Finally I can be one of those assholes who’s like “Frankenstein is the SCIENTIST, not the monster!!!!”
I’m living the dream.
Bottom line: This is nonstop fun and everyone should have (read: read) it.
-------------
currently-reading updates
can already relate to victor frankenstein as i, too, create massive problems and then avoid dealing with them until the repercussions threaten to destroy my life and even then am kinda like "ok but do i have to"
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Reading Progress
February 5, 2018
– Shelved
January 3, 2020
–
Started Reading
January 5, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)
message 1:
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K
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rated it 3 stars
Jan 03, 2020 07:24AM
Are you planning to read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein after this one?
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I identify with his monster - is that a bad thing? (I really loved this book, by the way)
The point of the book is to identify with the "monster." The scientist is meant to be abhorrent to God and all that is natural.
Ensiform wrote: "The point of the book is to identify with the "monster." The scientist is meant to be abhorrent to God and all that is natural."My favourite aspect of this book was the fact that Victor was the 'true' monster - though I don't think it had anything to do with God. Though both are pretty messed up.
But now I have to think about what this has to do with Percy Bysshe's influence on the novel....
At the time of its writing the rise of some sciences such as galvanism was certainly considered as meddling in God’s creation.
Victor plays at being a god, and he does a piss poor job of it. On the other hand, there are parallels being followed (Adam first and alone)
Maybe the real monster is the mound of problems we ignored along the way!
Wow, I'd never thought I'd relate to Frankenstein that much🤣
K wrote: "Are you planning to read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein after this one?"i hadn't planned on it. is it worth the read?
Ele wrote: "I identify with his monster - is that a bad thing? (I really loved this book, by the way)"nope!! he's very identifify-with-able!
Eva wrote: "Maybe the real monster is the mound of problems we ignored along the way!"best literary analysis of frankenstein of all time
AziaMinor wrote: "Wow, I'd never thought I'd relate to Frankenstein that much🤣"the relatableness is right there for the taking
emma wrote: "K wrote: "Are you planning to read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein after this one?"i hadn't planned on it. is it worth the read?"
I guess it depends :)
The Dark Descent is a re-telling of the story through the eyes of Elizabeth and changes what you thought happened.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Well, you're not wrong XD Good point. I loved this book because it makes you think about the reality of responsibilities and judgement
K wrote: "emma wrote: "K wrote: "Are you planning to read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein after this one?"i hadn't planned on it. is it worth the read?"
I guess it depends :)
The Dark Descent is..."
interesting......i may have to check it out
BellaGBear wrote: "Well, you're not wrong XD Good point. I loved this book because it makes you think about the reality of responsibilities and judgement"true!! and nature and science. it's a thinker
I don't recommend The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, imo it butchers the themes and characters of the original.
Eva wrote: "I don't recommend The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, imo it butchers the themes and characters of the original."I figure that it's a love it or hate it kind of book.
honestly this explains why I hate Frankenstein so much. I always hate characters that mirror things about myself I don't like
K wrote: "Eva wrote: "I don't recommend The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, imo it butchers the themes and characters of the original."I figure that it's a love it or hate it kind of book."
Eva wrote: "I don't recommend The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, imo it butchers the themes and characters of the original."
hmm i'll consider it!!! i feel a lot of retellings are hit or miss like that
Drakeryn wrote: "honestly this explains why I hate Frankenstein so much. I always hate characters that mirror things about myself I don't like"lol he represents my most hated part of myself
Just wanted to smoothly make my way into the conversation about The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein and say that I found it a very eerie but interesting story :)
Luna wrote: "Just wanted to smoothly make my way into the conversation about The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein and say that I found it a very eerie but interesting story :)"fantastic thank you for this insight
okay i didn't really like victor until you said that lmao mood af
mel wrote: "okay i didn't really like victor until you said that lmao mood af"he is perhaps the most relatable character in all of literature
I wish she hadn't spent so much time describing inane details like the cabin visitor's family story, not gonna lie i skimmed a few parts 😳
But also I love your review 😂
Hahaha!! I love this review!! You're officially my favourite reviewer on Goodreads ^.^
Athena wrote: "I wish she hadn't spent so much time describing inane details like the cabin visitor's family story, not gonna lie i skimmed a few parts 😳"Athena wrote: "But also I love your review 😂"
lolol extremely fair critique
Erin wrote: "Hahaha!! I love this review!! You're officially my favourite reviewer on Goodreads ^.^"this is the best day of my life
I studied this last year and it's one of the few books I've read for school that I enjoyed. I mean, I actually caught myself rereading it a little while ago. I think I have Stockholm Syndrome.
Caitlin wrote: "I studied this last year and it's one of the few books I've read for school that I enjoyed. I mean, I actually caught myself rereading it a little while ago. I think I have Stockholm Syndrome."definitely stockholm syndrome
What a great review! I finally found someone who also enjoyed this book! Haha
I just started reading this in English and we are only on chapter 6 and I was shocked at how *spoiler* Frankenstein doesn't see the creature after he runs away from he and he never thinks about where it might be or what it's doing.
Leigh Ann wrote: "What a great review! I finally found someone who also enjoyed this book! Haha"what's not to love!
Mia wrote: "I just started reading this in English and we are only on chapter 6 and I was shocked at how *spoiler*..."it is wild! i'm jealous, i wish i could compartmentalize like that
I agree with the comment saying the point is to identify with with the creature not Victor. The real victim was in fact the monster. The real monster was Victor. Victor did not even try to right his wrong and continued his selfish hate fueled journey till the end.
Tia wrote: "I agree with the comment saying the point is to identify with with the creature not Victor. The real victim was in fact the monster. The real monster was Victor. Victor did not even try to right hi..."yeah this is mostly a joke
Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ wrote: "Great analysis of the book Emma! 🤓"thank you!
This review makes me want to read the book asap
In the book Sum by David Eagleman, one of the short stories is about Mary Shelley and God. It's one of my favorite stories from the book. I highly recommend at least reading that story.
I read this original Frankenstein story long ago. It's amazing how much the movies redefined it.
Rikki wrote: "This review makes me want to read the book asap"correct response
Graceish ✨ wrote: "In the book Sum by David Eagleman, one of the short stories is about Mary Shelley and God. It's one of my favorite stories from the book. I highly recommend at least reading that story."that sounds amazing
Wayne wrote: "I read this original Frankenstein story long ago. It's amazing how much the movies redefined it."very true
Does anyone know how the original 1818 text differs from the newer editions??
I read this book 7 years back and even today there are days I simply think about Mary Shelly and her lines. The beautiful Old English is too sweet. Sweet in terms is word selections and descriptions and also the mere beauty of construction of the world and character and everything. It’s a world you can simply be lost and the pictures it created in my mind is still vivid after years. Oh thank God I read this.
