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Frankenstein

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Start date: October 1, 2018

Finish date: October 31, 2018

Why we're reading this: Revisit the Shelf Classic Read, October 2018

Previous Group Reads:
Revisit the Shelf Classic Read, October …more
[close] Revisit the Shelf Classic Read, October 2018

Previous Group Reads:
Revisit the Shelf Classic Read, October 2016
Revisit the Shelf Classic Read, October 2014
Old School Classic Group Read, October 2013

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Dec 24, 2017 RebecaH rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I had always been fascinated by the story of the "monster", the daemon and its creator: a scientist who played to be God. Yet my only approach to this story had come from movies and tv shows that seemed to focus more on the special effects and makeup to visually portray the deformity of the creature rather than any philosophical quest behind the creation itself. How tremendously surprised was I when I realized how beautifully written is Mary Shelley's book and how well she addresses all those et I had always been fascinated by the story of the "monster", the daemon and its creator: a scientist who played to be God. Yet my only approach to this story had come from movies and tv shows that seemed to focus more on the special effects and makeup to visually portray the deformity of the creature rather than any philosophical quest behind the creation itself. How tremendously surprised was I when I realized how beautifully written is Mary Shelley's book and how well she addresses all those ethical underlying concerns. She portrays complex characters, a Doctor who did not fully realize the implications of his childhood reveries and a creature who is not guilty of his existence, yet who is repudiated by everyone for his living.

Shelley and her writing have been to me the most pleasant discovery of 2017, her talent is undeniable and even more considering her young age when she wrote it. Kudos to another great female writer!

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world."

"'Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Cursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God in pity made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image, but my form is a filthy type of your's, more horrid its very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and detested."

"For a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presently my rage returned: I remembered that I was for ever deprived of the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow; and that she whose resemblance I contemplated would, in regarding me, have changed that air of divine benignity to one expressive of disgust and affright."

"Oh! Be men, or be more than men. Be steady to your purposes and firm as a rock. This ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts might be; it is mutable, cannot withstand you, if you say that it shall not. Do not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows. Return as heroes who have fought and conquered, and who know not what it is to turn their backs on the foe." ...more

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