Reviews

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

mitchliona's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.0

tarsharks's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-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

3.0

I get why this is a classic but the old fashioned writing is kust not for me. Not to mention the first part of the book was just boring and slow

alvabren's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

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

5.0

gracekitty's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

superchemgirl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.5

dianachai's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

nekomeith's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

I love that Mary Shelly decided one rainy night to write a book that created a whole new genre of literature. Also knowing now that she got the idea from a dream of a pale student leaning over his monstrous creation makes me have more respect for Stephanie Myers.

Jokes aside, I loved this book, especially the parts from the monster's pov. I loved the overall theme of how science can be used to create things that will come back to bite you. (Or kill your family) I found this story wonderfully gothic and relevant to modern day.

andrewdavis1199's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective 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

lacanadienneinreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a re-read for me. It's easy each time I encounter this book to recognize why it has become the inspiration from which countless stories and artworks have spawned. It's likely impossible to say anything new about Frankenstein. But on this reread, as an older and wiser person, I can't help but to recognize and resonate with the helpless, despairing, and angry monster. Who better to write to alienation, loneliness, the impossible standards of society and the horrors of being in a body who's shape betrays you, than a teenage girl? There was obviously something magical in the air during the stormy season that Shelley wrote this, and something magical within her to capture these existential feelings. But to ask questions that we continue to ask ourselves today, What was I made for? Am I not deserving of companionship? Why was I abandoned by my creator to the vastness of this world? How can I love and hate my parents? How far is too far in scienti ic pursuit?, is a pretty incredible feat. The interwoven narratives and perspectives were clearly demarcated in this audiobook through multiple narrators, which I felt contributed to the story and added a dynamic element to those moments that could feel like listings of European places. Gorgeous. Horrible. A classic. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, and Xenophobia

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Murder

lavenderdafrog1's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.75