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danaslitlist's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
With that being said, reading Frankenstein is a masterclass in how to write the complexities of who we perceive as the villains within the narrative. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley knew that when writing this book that the real villain wasn't the Adam* (*a name given to the Monster by myself and other readers), at least not just Adam, and she made sure to present this to the readers through the actions of the "hero" as well as through the stories shared by Adam.
Viktor, the Creator laments on the wickedness and evil of Adam from the moment Adam comes to life, discarding him the instant he deems Adam as too hideous to behold, as not the perfect design. He leaves his Creation, abandoning him to a world that judges outwardly appearance above action or desires. Viktor is looking back at us through the mirror that Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley holds up to the reader, urging us to examine our own biases.
I truly understand why this book is beloved and how it was so revolutionary for its time because, in all honesty, Frankenstein is story that continues to resonate in our current era.
Graphic: Ableism, Physical abuse, Murder, and Abandonment
rileyyy02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Bullying, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
rin_varga's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you've only ever watched the 1930s movie like me, then the original 1818 version will feel like a completely new story to you!
I appreciated how much heart, empathy, passion & flaws we see as both Victor & his creature explore the same feelings (believing that they're completely different from one another) such as hubris, the spectrum of morality, justice, & if wickedness is due to nature or nurture. The book even begins & ends through the lens of a third party, leaving us the reader free to sympathize a bit with both Victor & his creature who are at such odds with each other.
I didn't expect to get as emotionally invested in the characters as I did--it was a pleasant surprise to find myself hoping, grieving & crying on their behalf, especially the monster who so desperately & sincerely loves people & longs to be accepted for who he is on the inside💔
The middle of the novel could drag on at times, especially as Victor traveled and couldn't shake his fears, regrets & melancholy no matter who he was with or what he was doing for long. In the begin & by the end though, events picked up again in anticipation & drama leaving me at the edge of my seat!
There may be a little good & evil in everyone, & this novel explores in depth just how much enemies can be more similar than they'd like to believe. I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little (or a lot) of gray area & want to try a classic where emotions are a strong motivation--both for the characters & us as readers!
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
evgeorge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
felofhe's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
carodunn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
kelisabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
chris_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
dilara2912w's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail