Frankenstein

by Marry Wolstonecraft Shelly

Frankenstein is a Gothic novel that explores the dangers of unchecked ambition and scientific experimentation. Victor Frankenstein creates a monstrous creature, which he abandons, leading to a chain of devastating events. The novel touches on morality, the consequences of playing God, and the complexities of the creator-creation relationship. Shelley's vivid descriptions and haunting prose make it an emotionally charged read with timeless themes.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Gothic

158 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2023

Reviews

[Marli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
To do shit and have the AUDACITY to act like a victim is Victor superpower

[Charlie Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, really cool concept— I can see Marry Shelly creating a whole new genre from this involving scientific speculation looked through the lens of fiction. What would be a good name for such a genre?
Anyway, glossed over this book back in high school and barely paid attention then, and I’m partially glad since I was able to enjoy it as essentially a first time read.

Were this book not nearly two hundred years old, I’d critique it for dragging on and on in certain areas. There is hardly a hook at all in the beginning and I’m not even sure who the character speaking is or what his relevance to the story is at first. But hey, people were more patient back then and appreciated long overflowing descriptions of a guy walking through the alps.

But once my deep fried 21st century zoomer brain was able to persist, I did really get into the story. The monster in pop culture is always this lumbering, grunting green giant with bolts in his temples. He’s a lot more imposing and uncanny valley in the source material— also a lot more human. At time I found him to be a “wow, literally me,” character before he started doing… bad things out of spite and malice. And though the book is in English, the monster is said to speak French, so I guess the speaking by grunting isn’t entirely inaccurate.

Consensus: If your brain isn’t entirely rotted from short form media content, or you wish to recover from such a malady, this is a not too complex book if you’re interested in the subject.

[Ashly Dees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect what I got with this book. I honestly thought it was going to be similar to all the movies I’ve seen. The book is eerie because it has a slight feeling of realness. I know you could not do what Frankenstein does to his monster. But you forget that as the story goes. It’s also so tragic. The image of the monster in my head is unsettling… but what happens to Frankenstein and the monster are very tragic. I didn’t not expect such complex characters. And honestly the more I think about this story the more I love it. It has so many layers; mental health, desire to be included in society, death of loved ones. I see why so many people love this book.

[Sevil Gezer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harika bir kurgu.

[Grace (bookish_things_and_dragons) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Michalina Kinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always wanted to read this classic. Who is the monster indeed. It starts with rejection and continues with misunderstanding and loneliness. That creates the real monster who was looking for connection and a companion. In killing the loved ones of Dr Frankenstein he tries to let him feel just as alone as he is...while feeling remorse of taking innocent lives. Dr Frankenstein abandoned him and later fuelled with rage tries to hunt him and stops living...only obsessing over what he has created and unleashed on the world. For me it is a story of misunderstanding and loneliness.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed reading Frankenstein. I loved the way Shelly wrote it. As if writing the book as a compilation of letters wasn't good enough. She had the letters written by a character who was hardly in the story. These letters then went to this character's sister. Even though the book was in letters it wasn't set as "he told me" or "she said" it was presented as the exact words in quotes, actions, and story Victor had told the narrator. I just love the way this book is shown. Although it may be a little confusing to understand at times.
The beginning, especially, was hard for me to wrap my head around. I hadn't realized yet how the letters were set up, or who they were written by, till past the first 5. However, that may have just been me as sometimes I struggle to understand complicated worded books. There were also many big, and old, words I didn't quite understand. I do like learning new words although it was somewhat bothersome having to stop every chapter or so to search for the meaning.
From this book, I learned many things but the biggest lesson was the importance of unchecked knowledge and power. Victor, the main character strives for the power to bestow life onto an inanimate being. In doing so he nearly drives himself crazy. After he accomplished his goal he hated it. Finally realising what he had done he chickened out on dealing with it. Watching the consequences of his unethical goal play out reminded me to deal with my own problems. If he had undid what he had done, or not done it at all, he could have saved himself much trouble and heartache. It also reminded me to think about the consequences before I act, especially in any serious matter. I gave the book a 4/5 rating simply because I don't like the cliffhanger of an ending.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my most favourite books,and the monster is my favourite character .

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book that I have ever read (not regarding the scriptures). Now this story is not about a scientist that shocks a dead body and gives it the energy of life and then has to find a way to destroy his creation that was forced to live. It is so much more interesting than that boring Hollywood movie. Victor brings the body together to create a vessel so that he could implant a damned spirit from hell to give it the opportunity to exist as we all get to as humans. Now that goes bad because his creation is ugly and even though now close to being like humans because he gets a life, is so ugly and scary that he still is exiled from society no matter where he goes. This makes him bitter about being brought to the world to suffer a different kind of pain rather than what he felt in hell. He set out on being destroyed by his creator or destroying everything his creator loves and chooses the latter.
How enjoyable is this book? Completely awesome. Please read it. once you start to understand the old English grammar and vocabulary it becomes the biggest nail biter yet.
The book is honestly very well written and incredibly original but it is at times just hard to read for the average person. I have tried to get my friends who speak English as a second language to read this book and they just can't seem to understand a single things. Even I at times struggled to understand the text. I think the best quote in the book given by Victor, “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” I feel that I see us all having to live this. This book will take you to the deeper truths of life.

[Randolph King · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is well-known, but differs from the movies. The story is mostly about Dr. Frankenstein’s reaction to his creation, it is verbose but well-written.

The first parts of the book seemed long and slow, it gets bogged down in long Victorian dialogs. I almost gave up on it. But once the monster is created, the story improved dramatically.

It is all about the relationship between the monster and Dr. Frankenstein. It is a love-hate relationship on part of the monster, and repulsion from Dr. Frankenstein. This gave me some problems as Frankenstein started as a scientist with a purely rational approach to the work. Once the monster is created he became immediately repulsed without getting to know or understand the monster, he is completely driven and consumed by his emotions. It felt out of character given the first part of the book.

Unlike the movies, the monster is very intelligent and capable. He learns to survive on his own, then teaches himself language. Driven by the cruelty of man, his one goal is to find love. I found the monster much more interesting than Frankenstein. He eloquently tells his tale and wins he heart of the reader, but not of Dr. Frankenstein who continues his revulsion to the monster.

It is an interesting read. Like many books of the day, in my opinion, it would do well with an update to the characters and dialog. But it is worth the read.

[Mihail Tomov · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ye weep, unhappy ones, but these are not your last tears! Again shall you raise the funeral wail, and the sound of your lamentations shall again be heard! Frankenstein, your son, your kinsman, your early, muched-loved friend; he who would spend each vital drop of blood for your sakes, who has no thought nor sense of joy escept as it is mirrored also in your dear countenances, who would fill the air with blessings and spend his life serving you— he bids you weep, to shed countless tears; happy beyond his hopes, if thus inexorable fate be satisfied, and if the destruction pause before the peace of the grave have succeeded to your sad torments!"

[Skyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I thought some of the writing was beautiful and some of the quotes were really empowering. Overall this book was not my personal taste there was a lot of violence and death in here so if your sensitive to that I don't recommend it. I was influenced to pick this book up because my bestie was in her classics era and said this one was good but in my personal opinion and my taste in books I didn't like it.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's crazy to think that one of the original sci-fi horrors was written because a volcano erupted in Indonesia, leading to a drastic drop in global temperatures for a year. Of all the books I was forced to read for a class project, I always look back at Frankenstein as the most fun. Gotta grade it on a curve since it was written 200 years ago.

[Glen Leavens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I knew this story and in reading the book, I find I am mistaken. The book is always better than the film and in this case, many films. Well done bit of classic literature. I thought at first this was an explorer tale and then Frankenstein is introduced.

[Ainhoa :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha sido un buen libro, no me esperaba nada de lo ocurrido ya que mantenía una idea diferente a lo que es realmente el libro, el final es abierto lo que deja esa incertidumbre de que pasaría… pero eso no es algo que me desagrada lo recomiendo 100%

[Ryann Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book for school it was good I would recommend 💚

[Kara Lalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly boring sometimes exhausting and rarely good

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old English, difficult to understand. A lot of motif stuff. A somewhat interesting story though it's hard to keep reading.

[Garfunkel the III greatest emperor of his time · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the reason I’m insufferable

[Nina Bicudo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about many things, but above all, the rise of a criminal. So important to understand the unjust society we live in.

[Dada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kawałek mojej osobowości się na tym wykształcił. Nie spodziewalam sie ze tak to bedzie wygladac. Podobalo sie.

[alo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Llore, pinche Víctor que bueno que se murió

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankenstein’s monster i would treat you so wonderfully

[Marisol · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

[Jazmin °•JFC•GFB•°]

This is going to be my first read of 2026 and I hope its good🤪🥳🎆2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣🎉

[Ella Joy Schmor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read!

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A challenging read!
Leaves you feeling a bit sad.. poor wretch.. he deserves some love too..

[Esar Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah it’s a good book. You can tell it was written back in the 1800. Victor lowkey a hypocrite. Reminds me of that meme where the kid is writing a bike and puts a stick in his tire and blames the fall on someone else. That’s the vibe he gives. If you know you know

[Berat Murati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tidsløst mesterværk! Frankenstein er en fortælling fra 1800-tallet, men kunne også være skrevet i nutiden med samme aktualitet i fremtiden. Værket tager afsæt i universelle, eksistentielle, menneskelige behov om bl.a. social accept og tilhørsforhold.

Værket er bygget op omkring en rammefortælling med et twist af en cirkulærkomposition. Det giver imidlertid en af de eksplicitte personbundne fortællers stemme, “Victor Frankenstein” et bagudsyn gennem hele fortællingen. Dette er med til at implicere en upålidelighed hos Victor Frankenstein, der for mig gjorde det til en gyser.

[Andrew Doss · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the wonderful flowery romantic 19th century prose, to the depth of philosophy, to the tradegy of the characters' conditions, to the groundbreaking science fiction premise, and the horror!-- one of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't hold back the tears when I read the monster's first telling of his tale while I was on a flight back home. And then, the ending-- what tragedy, that the monster still yearned for Dr. Frankenstein's forgiveness after his passing! 6/5 starts