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Chosen by: Kellie
WHY:
I write trivia for a local winery. I have been doing it for many years now, but my first one ever was in October. I researched everything related to Halloween and gothic themes. Among one of my deep dives I read about Mary Shelley writing “Frankenstein” for a writing competition with her husband Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Polidori (“The Vampyre” influencer for the gentleman vampire). I thought that was so cool. She had written a masterpiece still read today on a whim because of German ghost stories and a little rain. I’ve wanted to read “Frankenstein” ever since.
Kellie:
Victor Frankenstein is a scientist convinced he can create life. He does and then immediately abandons his creation. Consequences unfold from there.
This seems so fantastical to us now. Scientists do not steal bodies from graveyards anymore than they have cadaver labs.The advancement of science in Mary Shelley’s time was a dark thing. It is on real reports of Erasmus Darwin that this story had roots. The real science and the fiction ghost stories she was reading at the time blended into this story in her head. To me that is so amazing! Mary Shelley was only 18 when she wrote “Frankenstein”, but she had such a firm grasp on gothic, romanticism and poetic imagery. She set scenes and I could see them. The way she described the monster was just descriptive enough to start to paint the picture, but also vague enough to let your own mind work its own horror into the creature. This book is full of symbols and meaning. Strong topics are evoked by her without her writing the question: Nature vs. Nurture, does ugly(different) equal evil, and would you instinctively love your maker without him caring or even despising you? I don’t think I have ever hated a character more than Victor Frankenstein (maybe Dorian Grey). He is the real monster. I almost threw this book a few times. Victor is so cruel, egotistical and secretive, yet everyone seems to love him and thinks he is great. WHY?! I don’t mean the readers. I think siding with Frankenstein would be a hot take. Every character he meets is like oh Victor you are so amazing, BLAH! I think this story is still very poignant and telling. I’m glad I have read this book, but also I don’t think I could have read this alone. I would have walked away and not kept reading too many times. It is good to have a group to talk this book through with.
Katie:
I was running an Usborne Books & More book fair a few weeks ago in the small town library near where I live, and I saw that they had a copy of Frankenstein. I was so excited, I checked it out immediately. I didn’t start reading it right away and actually only read it a couple of days ago. I wish I had paid more attention, because it was an “adapted” or abridged version, for young adults/children. Having only just 238 pages of large print and illustrations should have been a red flag. I found the plot to be very interesting, and I wish I had read it in Mary Shelley’s true words, because I feel like I missed out. I will be getting another copy and re-reading it. Moral of the story is that with this book, the short version doesn’t cut it. Do yourself a favor and buy a real copy.
Even with an abridged copy, I am amazed at Mary Shelley’s creativity, foresight and depth. She was only eighteen when she started writing this book and nineteen when she finished it.
One of the interesting relationships in my version of the book is the relationship between Victor and Henry Clerval. Henry is the perfect friend to Victor, he loves him and cares for him. They spend more time together in the book than Victor does with anyone else and the relationship is detailed much more than Victor’s relationship with Elizabeth. I honestly wondered if Victor and Henry were a couple at the beginning/middle of the book. I will be interested to see if that was just because it was a book for children and so they focused on friendship, or if it is a theme in the real version too.
Jessie:
I always love a good drama….and what a drama this is! I’ve had my copy of Frankenstein since I was a young teen. As stated in my bio, I’m an October baby (Happy Birthday to me!!) and I love all things scary!!
It’s been about 20 years since I indulged in the novel for the first time. I did a quick reread of the novel, but was sucked in and completely compelled by the characters and storyline all over again!
I won’t lie, it gave me a heavy heart every time I picked up the novel. One dramatic and unnecessary tragedy after another. Victor created so much strife and pain. I know he was overwrought with guilt but I became quite frustrated with him. However, I was addicted all the same. The detail, depth and brilliance of Mary Shelley is truly awe-inspiring!
This isn’t on my list of books to read light-heartedly or over and over again. But it’s definitely on my list to read!
Happy Halloween!
Duckie:
I’m going to be honest…I’m only about a third of the way done with this. I just couldn’t get drawn in. Yet. I do hope to finish it. But right now it’s felt too much like a homework assignment. It’s giving me anxiety and that’s not really why I like to read. I’m in the middle of peak leaf changing season in New England (an extended trip to visit the in-laws)–the perfect spooky season setting–and I still can’t get into it.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve read it before (although, I have almost no memory of it), or the incessant highlighting in my used copy (originally thought that was charming but now I just find it distracting) or perhaps it’s just how much of a pompous asshole Victor is but it’s just not happening for me right now. Seriously you guys, Victor is the worst. And I know that’s kind of the point–man is the actual monster, yadda yadda yadda–but, ugh. Was Mary Shelley the world’s first troll? TBD for when I actually finish the book….
Kath:
What a read!! SO interesting! I had never read Frankenstein before, have never seen a movie about it either, other than Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, which clearly doesn’t count! The writing style is, at least to me, Gothic. Very verbose and dramatic. So many emotions and feelings of the characters are called out in this style. Poor Victor! Poor Elizabeth! Poor Monster!! I feel like most of the book I was wrangling with emotions more than anything!! Why couldn’t Victor have just shown a little compassion for his creation? Three quarters of the way through I actually thought Victor was just mad and had made the whole thing up!!
Some interesting points:
-Before reading the book I had thought the Monster’s name was Frankenstein!
-My version had a forward that talked about the premise of the book being written about poetry. There are three poems in my version, which were quite interesting.
-I had an interesting discussion with my husband about Victor’s quote on how early childhood friends “know our infantile dispositions, which however they may be afterwards modified, are never eradicated, and they can judge of our actions with more certain conclusions”. Many people today are so much more mobile, that those lifelong friendships from early on, aren’t quite as likely to be so important, or even likely.
-Before you get your mindset to “back in time” reading this book, all the relationships are subject to different interpretations!
All in all, this is a book that I would highly recommend!! A different style than I am used to, but different can also be good!!