Aria Maher's Reviews > Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

This is yet another book where you hear more about the interpretations of the story than the story itself. Yes, a monster is created and gets chased out into the woods by angry villagers, but other than that, Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' bares little resemblance to the tale of the mad scientist who throws the switch and cackles "It's alive, it's alive!" as his hideous creation rises from the table.

Frankenstein isn't really a 'horror' book; as with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it's told in the form of a narrative that remains strangely distant from the story itself, even when bizarre or creepy things are happening. But it is a strangely sad and moving drama exploring questions about good and evil, and what it means to be human. As with many classics, it's less about thrills and chills, and more about leaving the reader with some good food for thought to chew on.