The Book Report Episode #5

Episode #4

Continuing our Google list of Best Books of all time.

An Origin Story of An On-Screen Monster

Mary Shelley Frankentein

Frankenstein was first published in 1818. And the origin of maybe the first science fiction/ gothic novel: Frankenstein has remained a favoured on-screen monster for nearly a century. He also appeared in comics and other stories.

The Book

The story is about Victor Frankenstein. Away at university, he becomes obsessed with creating life. Instead of doing it the “normal” way, and after years of work and research, he assembles the monster known around the globe as Frankenstein’s Monster.

In the novel, he is never given a name. But I was led to believe his name was Adam. It turns out that, twice in the book, he is referred to as similar to the character of Adam from the Bible. But never given the name of Adam.

Q.I. I shake my fist at you in frustration.

Victor is ashamed of creating and very much afraid of the monster. Furthermore, with the destruction that the ultra-human monster has caused. And while dealing with bad health. He is on a mission to stop the beast from destroying his world.

Other Media

If you would like to hear the Audiobook. Here you go:

Or maybe watch the film.

What Did I Think?

I don’t know how to say it. I did try, but I couldn’t get behind this book. The story was good, and everything about it made it something I wanted to read. But I found it dull. No oomph. But one aspect of the story that kept annoying me was the constant falling ill when Victor had a job to do. I can understand what mental health, or whatever disposition Victor had, can do to a person. But to use it as an excuse when Mary couldn’t work out how to continue a particular part of the story. So Victor would be ill for the next few months. I may be completely wrong. But that is what I saw.

There was no story about the creation of Frankenstein’s monster. I would have liked to have seen some more detail. Not pretty much I did some research because of an idea, and te voila. Man has created Superman.

There is no “IT’S ALIVE!” moment. Also, no Igor.

The monster is, without a doubt, a child in a man’s body. After all, he had only been alive for a couple of years. Although, his intellect, notwithstanding. Because he is intelligent, he is also emotionally stunted. In a ‘you left me alone. So I am going to kill anyone close to you.’ Kind of way.

Above all, if Victor had not gotten scared and did a runner, things could have been different. As a result, Victor leaves the world with a beast who needs a therapist.

In conclusion. Victor Frankenstein is responsible for the many deaths in the book.

Would I Recommend?

For the historical value of the book. Also, if you are interested in the origins of a horror icon. Then yes. I would recommend this book. Anything else then, not really. And although this is an important book and story. I will never take that away from anyone. Otherwise, the only score I can give is in the middle. A Meh!

But don’t let me stop you. Please read this book.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy? Try these shops: Amazon UK USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK USA. eBay UK USA. Or maybe your local bookshop. Or maybe try your local library.