From the Bookshelf of Reading List Completists…

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley,

Charlotte Gordon (Introduction)

Start date: September 1, 2018

Finish date: September 30, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: September 2018 Reading List Completests Group Selection
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What Members Thought

Sep 26, 2016 Sue K H rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I read the original 1818 version. I went back and forth as to whether I should give this 4 or 5 stars. I had some problems with it, so I gave it 4 but in a lot of ways it's a 5 star book for me. I'm so curious to hear from others who've read the later version or both versions to see if some of what I didn't like was worked out.

What I loved most were the major themes of how the relentless pursuit of knowledge can be an unhealthy obsession, how loneliness and isolation impact well being, how reve I read the original 1818 version. I went back and forth as to whether I should give this 4 or 5 stars. I had some problems with it, so I gave it 4 but in a lot of ways it's a 5 star book for me. I'm so curious to hear from others who've read the later version or both versions to see if some of what I didn't like was worked out.

What I loved most were the major themes of how the relentless pursuit of knowledge can be an unhealthy obsession, how loneliness and isolation impact well being, how revenge can be all consuming, the nature vs nurture debate, the question as to whether a scientifically created life can have the equivalent of a human soul, and the ability of people to accept or not those with extreme deformities. Wow! that's a lot of themes and I'm sure I'm still missing some. I love pondering and debating these types of things so how could I not love this book? Some of the themes are even more relevant today, with the advent of animal and human cloning, than they were when Shelly wrote it. This makes her book quite extraordinary for it's time. The story gets deep down into the human condition in a way that is timeless.

I really liked the structure of the book also. Shelly uses Robert Walton, a seaman on a dangerous expedition, to narrate and frame, Victor Frankenstein's story. Like Frankenstein , Walton is obsessed with gaining knowledge, though his method is using physical exploration rather than formal education like Frankenstein. While at sea, he writes letters to his sister that he knows she may never receive. His writings show how he is obsessed and how isolation and loneliness are taking their toll. He is also important as a reality check as he's the only person who both sees the monster and who Frankenstein confides in as to his origin. Walton's narration was just right for me.

In addition to Walton, Shelly also uses Frankenstein and his monster to narrate different books. I loved having all of these perspectives. The monster's was my favorite and I wish it had even been a bit longer. I loved how he learned by watching and his encounters with various people.I also loved how he learned through reading books like Paradise Lost.

Frankenstein's narration was the most uneven for me. I loved his family history (other than him being expected to marry his cousin raised like a sister!). and his college encounters with professors, and his dive into obsession. I started to get bored when he goes on his two year adventure with Henry. After that point, it was touch and go. Some of it was just too long (even though this is a very short book!). Then it picks up again. There's really two endings and the first part you figure out way before (which is fine because Frankenstein hasn't figured it out so there's the suspense of him finding out), but the second part is a surprise because it doesn't just end where the story begins with Walton finding Frankenstein. I'm very curious what was changed in the 1831 version, if it was just tightened up or the endings completely changed, or what? I can't wait to discuss in the classics group.

...more

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Apr 20, 2017 Amanda Robinson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Year after year I come to the same conclusion, this is one of the most relevant books ever written. I challenge anyone to truly read it and not find SOMETHING that rings true with them.

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Jan 05, 2015 Suzan (Suus Leest) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Originally posted on my blog

Through the letters the seaman Robert Walton writes to his sister, we get to know the scientist Victor Frankenstein. In an attempt to create a perfect creature, he creates a killing monster. But as we also learn the point of view of that monster, we start to doubt Frankenstein’s motives and methods.

Frankenstein fits into two of the most important literary traditions of the beginning of the nineteenth century, as both Romantic and Gothic elements are at the base of thi Originally posted on my blog

Through the letters the seaman Robert Walton writes to his sister, we get to know the scientist Victor Frankenstein. In an attempt to create a perfect creature, he creates a killing monster. But as we also learn the point of view of that monster, we start to doubt Frankenstein’s motives and methods.

Frankenstein fits into two of the most important literary traditions of the beginning of the nineteenth century, as both Romantic and Gothic elements are at the base of this story. Firstly, the novel is very nature oriented, which is according to Romantic conventions. Scenery is described many times, but nature also influences the character’s moods – when a horrible winter has passed, for example, the monster feels happy when spring finally arrives. When Frankenstein chases the monster through the Arctic desert, this scenery symbolises his useless efforts. Gothic ties in with this in the sense that the locations are generally gloomy. Moreover, gothic literature focusses on the supernatural as well as the mysterious, and these aspects are certainly present in this novel.

Steven Lehman argues that “[in] Victor Frankenstein, Mary Shelley created a male character who yearned for the existential security of elemental procreative power in the same way that she herself did” (50). This reading would thus mean that Frankenstein is somehow a mirror of the author herself.
More likely to me, though, is that his desire to create life, and his failure at doing so, is in fact fed by Shelley’s feminist thoughts: men cannot procreate without the help of women. Frankenstein tries to, but fails. This way, even though there are few women of importance in the novel, this highlights their significance.
An important theme in this novel is the impact of science. By creating a character like Frankenstein’s monster, Shelley expresses concern towards the developments in this area, and in the end of the novel Robert Walton – who was the man whose letters we’re reading – is convinced that scientific ambitions should never be the main focus of one’s life. Rather, family, friendship and solidarity should always come first.

By most readers, the monster is seen as a helpless, misunderstood creature. He is ugly and hence people are appalled by him, even his own creator rejects him. While in exile, he tries to learn the ways of the world, teaching himself how to speak and read – so in terms of that he becomes equal or even superior, to the general human being – but still, people are scared of him, merely because of his appearance. This aggravates him and he turns violent. Consequently people become even more afraid of him. While I understand that the monster’s narrative grants us insight into his motives, I could not fully sympathise with him, and did not feel that being misunderstood justifies his actions. That does not mean I’m on Frankenstein’s side, because even though he did not deserve to be treated that horribly, I feel he could have been more active in protecting his family and helping his creation.

Now, don’t misunderstand my dislike towards the main characters as dislike for the book. If you’d happen to read more of my reviews, you’ll learn I quite often like unlikable characters in novels – mostly in classics. In Frankenstein, the characters were all interesting, and especially the monster and the professor did not lack depth. Though I have to admit towards the ending, they did start to bother me a little bit, but this also had to do with the slowness of the novel. Although for the first say 85 per cent of the novel this did truly not bother me at all, probably because I was warned beforehand not to expect an action packed horror story, towards the ending I was waiting for a conclusion, for the whining to be over. That is why I couldn’t rate the novel five stars, but it’s surely worth four stars. The story is original, interesting, layered, and the writing is beautiful, especially keeping in mind Shelley was only eighteen at the time of writing this! ...more

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Oct 02, 2018 Brooklyn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: great-books-groupreads-completist, classics

Great seminal read - i'm surprised I had never read it before. TOTALLY different than iconic 1930s movie (and even Young Frankenstein) -- which makes me admire those movies even more. Much more in the Byron-esque vein of 19th century romanticism - and a lot more philosophizing about "why am i here." Also an exciting story with breath-taking background - and inside the mind of the scientist Dr Frankenstein and his "monster" who in the book is actually intelligent - witty - quick and deadly. The s ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Erma Talamante rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, corruption, edx, 2015, classic, victorian, mad-science, horror, gothic

A classic tale of creation, life, death, and morality - just because you can do it, should you? This should be required reading for all scientists, especially ones that deal closely with highly sensitive subjects, such as cloning, stem cells, and research.

I remember being intimidated by this book when I was much younger (in my early teens). But the theme and fact that this was written by a woman so scientifically, so distinctly, makes me keep coming back. I have read this book a number of times ...more

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Oct 09, 2018 Chuck rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001

My first time reading this classic. Amazing on so many levels. Cinematic, poetic. The analogies just don't stop: God and man, Adam cast out of the garden, Man and beast, Man's corruption of nature through science, the developmental crisis of the rejected child, the existential drama of both parent and child, etc. I'm sure I'll read about/think about more. Also, 18th century standards of education on display are mind-blowing. Sure, you had to have money to fully partake, but geez, not only the le ...more

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Jan 16, 2017 Gaby rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-thriller, classics, sci-fi, horror, 2016

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein marks a before and after for Gothic literature. With this mind blowing modern and at the same time old story she makes you fell the moral complex of human decisions.
I think Mary did and excellent job with this one, a true trailblazer. ...more

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Jun 01, 2017 Grace rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mccrum-s-100-greatest, 2016-reads

#8 in the chronological read of "the list". Never read before.... quite a few details and parts of the plot surprised me. Can't give a 5 star within the context of the McCrum list but they can't all get 5!

An explanation of my star rating.
5= Truly cream of the crop. Amazing. In a wondrous realm of their own
4= Special and well written. Truly a good/maybe great book, but not a rare 5 star wonder.
3= Moments of brilliance, a pleasure to read. I'd recommend it.
2= An average book... since I'm not usu ...more

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