From the Bookshelf of ~Can't Stop Reading~…

Frankenstein

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Start date: October 1, 2013

Finish date: October 31, 2013

Discussion: Past Reads

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Past Reads

Sarah's key by Tatiana de Rosnay
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last updated Dec 10, 2021 01:22PM

The Fault in Our Stars
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last updated Aug 11, 2015 11:17AM

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What Members Thought

Sep 15, 2011 Jonathan Terrington rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: personal-favourites, own, 1001-books-to-read-before-you-die, re-read, fantasy, classic-literature, science-fiction

Devoting heart and soul to this novel in much the same way that Victor Frankenstein devoted his life to creation and destruction, this reviewer now returns to writing a review. The intricacies of this construct of Frankenstein are numerous and therefore as a warning, this review may lack the necessary depth and diligence of perusal.

This is a difficult review to write. How can one channel the raw elemental and emotional beauty of such a book with flighty and often flippant words? How can one tame ...more

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May 14, 2012 Tasha rated it liked it · review of another edition

Such a sad and hateful storyline. You feel for the being that Frankenstein created. Frankenstein just created it and just ran away from it. Never took responsibility to take care of it or even help it. You really end up hating Frankenstein and just feel sad during the entire book. It makes you take a step back and look at your own life though.

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Feb 09, 2017 Julesmarie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, horror, classics

I somehow managed to make it through high school and college without ever being assigned to read this. And I'd kept putting off reading it, thinking that the story is so pervasive in pop culture that I already knew what would happen.

I was completely surprised, then, when Victor not only creates his monster within the first like 30% of the book, but does so with almost no fanfare whatsoever. This is what almost every pop culture reference refers to: the moment Victor manages to give life to his c I somehow managed to make it through high school and college without ever being assigned to read this. And I'd kept putting off reading it, thinking that the story is so pervasive in pop culture that I already knew what would happen.

I was completely surprised, then, when Victor not only creates his monster within the first like 30% of the book, but does so with almost no fanfare whatsoever. This is what almost every pop culture reference refers to: the moment Victor manages to give life to his creation. I was actually much more impressed with the original story. That it wasn't about the moment of giving life, but rather an examination of the consequences of that moment--both for Victor and for his creation.

Fascinating, delightfully thought-provoking read.

Some Favorite Quotes:
I was required to exchange chimeras of boundless grandeur for realities of little worth.

My internal being was in a state of insurrection and turmoil

And although the Spring was uncommonly late, when it came its beauty compensated for its dilatoriness.

"Alas, Victor, when falsehood can look so like the truth, who can assure themselves of certain happiness?"

It was during an access of this kind that I suddenly left my home, and bending my steps towards the near Alpine valleys, sought in the magnificence, the eternity of such scenes, to forget myself and my ephemeral, because human, sorrows.

"I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books. They produced in me an infinity of new images and feelings, that sometimes raised me to ecstasy,"

The spirit of elder days found a dwelling here, and we delighted to trace its footsteps.

But he found that a traveller's life is one that includes much pain amidst its enjoyments. His feelings are forever on the stretch; and when he begins to sink into repose, he finds himself obliged to quit that on which he rests in pleasure for something new, which again engages his attention, and which also he forsakes for other novelties.

The human frame could no longer support the agonies that I endured

I trod heaven in my thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their effects.

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 may be; it is mutable and cannot withstand you if you say that it shall not.

the men, unsupported by ideas of glory and honour, can never willingly continue to endure their present hardships.

It requires more philosophy than I possess to bear this injustice with patience. ...more

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Sep 27, 2013 Amy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: horror-thriller, two-stars, historical

Started out pretty boring, but after halfway it picked up a lot.
Definitely not a horror, it felt more like an elaborate fairy tale, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I much preferred Dracula though, especially in the creepy department. ...more

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