Hey, guys! Recently, I read Frankenstein for a project I was working on. I've always wanted to read it, so I seized on the chance. It is also surprisingly short, only about 200 pages in the edition I read.
The Cover:
The Cover:
This is one of my favorite covers for Frankenstein. It shows rather the monster or Frankenstein journeying through the mountains near the coast of the North Pole, a scene near the beginning/end of the novel.
Official Description:
At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.
Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.
My Review:
I was surprised by how much I liked Frankenstein. It wasn't really what I expected, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Instead of being a horror/thriller, it was more a social commentary. Instead of being afraid of Frankenstein, I felt pity for him. It was really interesting in that regard, but not what I was expecting.
I was also afraid that, since this book was written in the 1800s, it may be difficult to understand. After reading Moby Dick, I have tried to avoid any writing that may be similar. However, Frankenstein was surprisingly easy to read. It wasn't "easy" but certainly better than Moby Dick. It uses some archaic words and phrases, but is fairly straightforward. It's not an easy read, but it is definitely doable.
The characters were interesting. We actually got to see both from Frankenstein (the creator)'s point of view as well as the monster's, which I really liked. The other characters in the story were a bit flat, however, which made me care less when/if they were killed. I just didn't have an emotional connection to them.
I had two main problems with Frankenstein. One was that it grew repetitive too often. There is only so many different ways for Frankenstein and his monster to call themselves the most "wretched" person alive. The other was that Frankenstein, the creator, was a complete wuss. He would be in a position to help his friend or save someone with little to no harm befalling him, and he would just cower in the corner. Also, near the end of the book, the monster gives him a clear warning, which Frankenstein misinterprets, again causing another person harm, which is just irritating. I was honestly rooting for the monster throughout the book, if only because Frankenstein is a pushover.
Overall, I would recommend reading Frankenstein, if you are willing to read something that is a little difficult. It was really interesting, and I am definitely glad I read it. It will make you feel more cultured, plus it has a nice story. Give it a shot!
(Note: I've heard that Frankenstein is absolutely nothing like the movie version. If you have watched the movie, you haven't seen the real story of Frankenstein, so you should give the book a try, too!)
Phrase:
The scared cottagers
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Picture of Dorian Gray
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
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The Cover:
The Cover:
This is one of my favorite covers for Frankenstein. It shows rather the monster or Frankenstein journeying through the mountains near the coast of the North Pole, a scene near the beginning/end of the novel.
Official Description:
At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.
Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.
My Review:
I was surprised by how much I liked Frankenstein. It wasn't really what I expected, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Instead of being a horror/thriller, it was more a social commentary. Instead of being afraid of Frankenstein, I felt pity for him. It was really interesting in that regard, but not what I was expecting.
I was also afraid that, since this book was written in the 1800s, it may be difficult to understand. After reading Moby Dick, I have tried to avoid any writing that may be similar. However, Frankenstein was surprisingly easy to read. It wasn't "easy" but certainly better than Moby Dick. It uses some archaic words and phrases, but is fairly straightforward. It's not an easy read, but it is definitely doable.
The characters were interesting. We actually got to see both from Frankenstein (the creator)'s point of view as well as the monster's, which I really liked. The other characters in the story were a bit flat, however, which made me care less when/if they were killed. I just didn't have an emotional connection to them.
I had two main problems with Frankenstein. One was that it grew repetitive too often. There is only so many different ways for Frankenstein and his monster to call themselves the most "wretched" person alive. The other was that Frankenstein, the creator, was a complete wuss. He would be in a position to help his friend or save someone with little to no harm befalling him, and he would just cower in the corner. Also, near the end of the book, the monster gives him a clear warning, which Frankenstein misinterprets, again causing another person harm, which is just irritating. I was honestly rooting for the monster throughout the book, if only because Frankenstein is a pushover.
Overall, I would recommend reading Frankenstein, if you are willing to read something that is a little difficult. It was really interesting, and I am definitely glad I read it. It will make you feel more cultured, plus it has a nice story. Give it a shot!
(Note: I've heard that Frankenstein is absolutely nothing like the movie version. If you have watched the movie, you haven't seen the real story of Frankenstein, so you should give the book a try, too!)
Phrase:
The scared cottagers
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Picture of Dorian Gray
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
