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201st out of 608 books
—
543 voters
Gods and Monsters
Previously titled "Father of Frankenstein," this acclaimed novel was the basis for the 1998 film starring Sir Ian McKellen, Lynn Redgrave, and Brendan Fraser. It journeys back to 1957 Los Angeles, where James Whale, the once-famous director of such classics as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, is living in retirement, haunted by his past. Rescuing him from his too-vi...more
ebook, 320 pages
Published
January 23rd 2007
by HarperCollins
(first published August 2nd 2005)
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This is an excellent book. It is written beautifully with splashes of cinematic touches that, of course are mini-pastiches of Whale's own work. It is artfully done and although it probably bears little resemblance to the actual last month of Whale's life, sometimes literature speaks greater truth than journalism. Bram's prose is elegant, artful, and truthfully I was looking for clunkiness given some of the melodramatic subject matter, but didn't find it. Overall, I thought it was touching and a...more
Overtly gay? Yes. Entertaining? Sure. But what got me reading and reading this book was my sudden fascination with James Whale and the Frankenstein movies. Okay, most of this never really happened. But it's easy to believe it could have. Christopher Bram, I applaud you.
Close look at psychological breakdown. Very interesting to take a look at 1950s Hollywood!
A favorite writer at his best.
May 03, 2013
Kristen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
movie
I had seen this movie several years ago and loved it, so when I stumbled across the book, I immediately picked it up. I was not disappointed. It is just a beautiful book that had me in tears at the end, even though I already knew the ending. The relationship that springs up between Whale and Boone is both surprising and ultimately inevitable. The glimpses of early Hollywood are glamorous, and reading this book has made me want to watch not only this movie again, but Frankenstein and Bride of Fra...more
Brilliant book (and movie) on so many levels...old Hollywood, aging, homosexuality, Frankenstein, loneliness.
Book is good but movie may have been better.
Thoughts: http://roofbeamreader.com/2013/04/29/...
Engaging characters, unconventional psychology and interesting glimpses into old-world Hollywood; but ultimately, not very memorable. A good choice for a light but not inane read - think Beach Read for Nerds. Looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation.
Oh goodness this is so sad. The edition with the additional notes from Christopher Bram is well worth reading.
I read this book a couple years ago when I was sick in a day. It was great.
An excellent summer read!
May 04, 2013
Odetoemma
marked it as to-read
Mar 30, 2013
Jin Yi
marked it as to-read
Feb 24, 2013
Brian Medina
marked it as to-read
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Bram grew up in Kempsville, Virginia. After graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1974 (B.A. in English), he moved to New York City four years later. There, he met his lifelong partner, documentary filmmaker Draper Shreeve.
Bram's novel Father of Frankenstein, about film director James Whale, was made into the movie Gods and Monsters starring Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. Bill Condo...more
More about Christopher Bram...
Bram's novel Father of Frankenstein, about film director James Whale, was made into the movie Gods and Monsters starring Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. Bill Condo...more
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