Reviews with content warning for Murder - Frankenstein

I picked this up as a fun, classic read for Halloween this year.
"Frankenstein" is the classic story written by Mary Shelley. In an effort to find immortality, Dr. Victor Frankenstein spends his adolescence seeking education in the sciences. Once he reaches adulthood, he attempts his own experiments to bring something to life. When he succeeds, he is horrified by the abomination he created, and he runs away from it. Feeling abandoned and slighted by its creator, the monster seeks revenge, and causes havoc to Frankenstein's life.
This book really epitomizes the idea that monsters are created, not born. The monster in this novel did not want to kill or cause harm, and it initially attempted to help the people it encountered. Only after the people realized what he looked like, did they become scared of the monster and run away. At its core, the monster had a good heart, but the world turned its back on it.
Even after Frankenstein saw the destruction the monster caused, he did not do enough to appease the monster. The monster wanted a woman companion and asked Frankenstein to create one for it. This only further highlights that the monster was just lonely. Sometimes it only takes one person to show kindness and change a person's entire perspective on life.
This was a very approachable classic, and fairly easy to read. I also think the themes and lessons it presents are elements that today's world needs a refresher on.
I highly recommend this novel, especially this time of year!

Content Warnings

agatha_hopkins's review against another edition

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dark mysterious 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

4.25

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e_r_q's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

"I shall die, and what I now feel be no longer felt. Soon these burning miseries will be extinct. I shall ascend my funeral pile triumphantly and exult in the agony of the torturing flames. The light of that conflagration will fade away; my ashes will be swept into the sea by the winds. My spirit will sleep in peace, or if it thinks, it will not surely think thus. Farewell.”

Despite becoming so ingrained and recognisable within popular culture, Frankenstein still managed to surprise me. Firstly, Mary Shelley's prose is exquisite and extremely coherent, especially for a piece of literature written in the 1800s. Furthermore, Shelley's writing is rich in symbolism, philosophical deliberations, as well as explorations of compelling themes such as the thirst for knowledge/power, unbridled ambition, revenge, discrimination, prejudice, and creation versus destruction. Additionally, the profound poeticism with which she captures The Monster's perception of life and humanity is hauntingly beautiful. I saw one review criticising Shelley for being unable to write male characters, but I wholeheartedly disagree, as the emotional vulnerability of said male characters is both realistic and truly refreshing to see.

Despite still surprising and impressing me, Frankenstein didn't entirely live up to my expectations. Some parts of the narrative felt confusingly rushed, while other aspects felt entirely unnecessary. But still, I'm glad I finally got around to reading this classic work of horror fiction, especially in time for Halloween.

Content Warnings

sxndaze's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone.

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corriejn's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

I was of course familiar with the core conceipt of the story via cultural osmosis, but reading the original story I found it to be so much more complex and full of nuance! Worth a read.

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robin_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

This story was difficult to read because the story is told in form of letter by a seaman who was told the story by Viktor Frankenstein and he now tells the story to his sister.. which is so weird? It was definitely interesting but it wasn’t what I expected which took away from the pleasure of reading it.
I wanted to read the original version first but I will be reading the second edition too at some point. I want to know where our lore comes from.

Spoiler

I was missing a lot of information too about the science behind it and why he did it. I know that it was mentioned here and there but not to the point that I expected.
Viktor Frankenstein is more annoying and whiny than crazy scientist, wanting to create life from death with lightning crashing behind him in some remote castle.

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bebidocrimes's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I remembered enjoying this in high school, but now I simply will never stop thinking about how much I love this story. My brain won't let it go, it's like I'm gnawing on a bone. It's about the loneliness of every kind of ostracization, it's about spurning God, it's about not learning your lesson even after facing every consequence, it's about hating your dad, it's about nature versus nurture, it's about being human yet inhuman. I can't wait to reread and do full annotations.

Content Warnings

cbrigs99's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A classic for good reason. Mary Shelley exemplifies the best of writing in this period in both quality and beauty. This is by far one of my favorite classics I’ve read, as it dissects the duality of humanity and questions who the true monster of the narrative is. This is the perfect read for the fall season, and delivers everything a reader could want: from elaborate character introspection, striking prose, and thought provoking story lines. Frankenstein continues to stand the test of time - without a doubt one of the best classics (and general stories) I have ever read and likely ever will.

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