Reviews

Masterful, is the best word I can think of to describe this book. Beautifully and lyrically written, with a keen sense of atmosphere and mood. Beyond that, there was so much depth, so many layers to engage with. Without pretension or affectation, Mary Shelley asked some highly intellectual and deeply ambiguous questions, and she did it with subtlety. I can’t even fathom the fact that she was all of 19 years old when she wrote this.

It was thought provoking, disturbing, and achingly emotional. I was surprised by how close to tears I came, and by how affected I was by what I was reading. The horror here is found not in the action, but in what the action betrays. I was more horrified by the exposure of Frankenstein’s inner world than by anything else on the page.

Frankenstein’s casual cruelty in the act of creation reminded me intensely of Oppenheimer. That consuming passion, almost lust, for what COULD be possible eclipsed totally the ethical question of SHOULD. Having seen Oppenheimer and been very moved by it, reading this book at this time seems fateful.

This was a ruthless and skillful examination of man’s hubris as a species, the cost of unchecked ambition, and our inability to choose mercy over judgement.

grainneog44's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bergema's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Overall, the book was enjoyable. I found Victor to be insufferable and so intentionally ignorant. All of his friends and family were such great people that it was frustrating to view the story from his perspective alone. The Monster was more complex than I originally expected and I often felt sad for him. Additionally, I was surprised by the clear critique on society and how, even in the modern era, this critique still fits. It makes sense as to why this book is a classic and is seen as the birth of science fiction.

paige_roberts's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

talin's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

enyltiak's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

You could truly discuss this book endlessly; there are so many interpretations possible. I'm hoping Guillermo Del Toro's upcoming adaptation will retain more of the plot of the novel than other adaptations have.

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