Frankenstein

by C. Louise March, Bob Berry (Illustrator), Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Victor Frankenstein leads an idyllic life in Switzerland with his family and friends until a thirst for knowledge sends him off in search of something that no human being has yet attained'the ability to create life. Victor's success soon proved that, through the work of his own hands, he and his family are destined to live a life of pain and suffering.

Genres: Classics, Horror

192 pages, Hardcover

Published February 9, 2009

Reviews

[Chad Schimke]

FRANKENSTEIN - This horror story has elements of mystery, supernatural, a gloomy setting and a character that bridges the worlds of the living and undead. The result is arguably the most identified classic gothic novel. The genesis of Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley in a dream. She was a part of a group visiting Lord Byron (poet of the romantic movement) confined to a villa remaining indoors due to incessant rain. He issued the famous challenge to write a horror story, which ultimately led to Frankenstein and John Polidori writing The Vampyre. Percy Bysshe Shelley was in the villa also, a prominent romantic poet in his own right, as well as Mary’s husband. I am particularly fond of the 1931 film version starring Boris Karloff. Don’t be put off by the movie era or black and white format. This was a pre-code film that didn’t flinch from controversial content. The pace is quick, black/ white reinforces the tone, utilizes stark visual imagery and pioneering movie effects/ sets. This is a classic Universal Pictures monster flick in an era where no other studio could have done it better. Not to be missed!

[George]

Maybe because it was abridged, maybe not, but I didn't really care for this. Mike enjoyed it though, so I guess that's what matters since I was reading it to him... I've never read Frankenstein before, but I'm familiar with the story. I think the abridged version leaves out a lot of the details of how Victor collected his items and built the monster, but even despite that I didn't care for it. None of the characters are likable and the story is a very bleak outlook on human nature. I don't think the story being abridged had any affect on that. This gets 3 stars only because Mike enjoyed it. I would give it 2 stars.

[Jeff]

A simple and straightforward adaptation for younger readers. I read it to my five year old and it was clear enough for him to understand and had plenty of illustrations to keep his attention.

I’m a little surprised at how ambiguous the ending was. It certainly didn’t shy away from descriptions of murders, but the monster’s fate was left less clear than the original text. Odd, but easy to explain to the littles!

[Samantha Osborne]

i really enjoyed this book i loved the story always have

[Katy Lovejoy]

My first time reading any variation of this story. I must say, not a fan

[Antonio D.H.]

An okay version of the classic. It has illustrations which are honestly not that good, and the language and story are condensed heavily. It feels like it lacks the depth that the original book contained, which takes away a lot of the enjoyment of reading it. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it over the original...

[Brittany]

I thought this book was absolutly amazing. I loved the story line and the person telling the story. It was sad that everyone thought that Frankenstien's monster was a beast. This book reminds me of Beauty and the Beast minus the Beauty.

[Ella]

It was a good book. It had weird stuff. It was kind of scary.

[Lisa Koch]

Why didn’t Victor Frankenstein just get the dude a dog? Problem solved.

[Antonia]

Gripping story, though the children’s abridgment seemed a little clunky. A great way to get to know a classic story though!