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CliffsNotes on Shelley's Frankenstein
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format. CliffsNotes on Frankenstein digs into Dr. Victor Frankenstein's scientific creation, a "hideous and gigantic" monster that the good doctor tries to defeat throughout most of the novel. Following the story of an obsessive man whose determination to create a new race of humans produces monstrous results, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each part within the novel. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
96 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 5, 2018
Wonderful! Helpedme so much! Great insight!
March 11, 2015
I have never read a Cliff's Notes book cover to cover - until now. I have always been aware of the stigma of reading one of these, and was teased a number of times while carrying this copy in public, but I felt secure enough in that I had read the book before, and shared this with the people who poked at me, only to find (with more than a little surprise) that those who were picking on me - multiple people on multiple occasions - had never actually read the book Frankenstein.
I chose to read this copy of Cliff's Notes because I was trying to take a Book Club class on edX. Unfortunately, I was unable to take the class due to too much other stuff going on. That is okay, and I chose to re-read the books anyways. I have read a number of versions and editions of Frankenstein over the years, and it is still a haunting tale, as was intended, but I was curious to see what perspective this summary would take.
The summary portion of the book is arranged into each chapter, a short summary of the chapter, then a rehash, adding a little outside perspective. Just about what you would expect to see as a grade-schooler's book report. I would have given the book three stars if this was it. Useful for a refresher, but not much else.
The real value of this book (easily upping it a full star) is the additional reference material. My favorite was the suggestions for practice projects, upping the book to the modern century by suggesting o make websites for the book. This is a project, if I had more time, I would attempt (maybe sometime in the future?). The Essays provide a starting point for writing one (or for the novice plagiarist, as I have seen in past classes, one ready-written) and the Reviews offer further insight and thought-provoking essay suggestions and questions.
As mentioned above, I had never read a Cliff's book, and was curious. Having satisfied that curiosity, I feel that the book provides added value for those who have read the book, but should not be used as a substitute or short-cut. That's what causes people to have such a disparaging image of these books, and a stigma that I'll ignore in the future.
I chose to read this copy of Cliff's Notes because I was trying to take a Book Club class on edX. Unfortunately, I was unable to take the class due to too much other stuff going on. That is okay, and I chose to re-read the books anyways. I have read a number of versions and editions of Frankenstein over the years, and it is still a haunting tale, as was intended, but I was curious to see what perspective this summary would take.
The summary portion of the book is arranged into each chapter, a short summary of the chapter, then a rehash, adding a little outside perspective. Just about what you would expect to see as a grade-schooler's book report. I would have given the book three stars if this was it. Useful for a refresher, but not much else.
The real value of this book (easily upping it a full star) is the additional reference material. My favorite was the suggestions for practice projects, upping the book to the modern century by suggesting o make websites for the book. This is a project, if I had more time, I would attempt (maybe sometime in the future?). The Essays provide a starting point for writing one (or for the novice plagiarist, as I have seen in past classes, one ready-written) and the Reviews offer further insight and thought-provoking essay suggestions and questions.
As mentioned above, I had never read a Cliff's book, and was curious. Having satisfied that curiosity, I feel that the book provides added value for those who have read the book, but should not be used as a substitute or short-cut. That's what causes people to have such a disparaging image of these books, and a stigma that I'll ignore in the future.
May 15, 2020
1.5 stars
Incredibly sloppy. I suppose it serves its purpose as a study guide in terms in plot and (the shallowest) themes, but it is riddled with errors. Beyond the grammatical, some mistakes include:
-referring to Mary Shelley's father as "William Wollstonecraft" MULTIPLE times
-citing Plutarch's Lives, Paradise Lost, and The Sorrows Of Young Werther as being "influenceD BY" rather than "influenceS OF" English Romanticism
-stating that Clerval's "drowned body washed up" on shore, when the villagers, accustomed to drownings, were alarmed by Clerval's body precisely because it was found DRY and WARM
-and many more
There are also several misquotations caused by a lack of careful editing. This was obviously not written by someone who cared very much or paid much attention.
Frankenstein is a masterpiece and deserves the mere 6-7 hours it takes to read it. This guide is not worth the small amount of time saved.
Incredibly sloppy. I suppose it serves its purpose as a study guide in terms in plot and (the shallowest) themes, but it is riddled with errors. Beyond the grammatical, some mistakes include:
-referring to Mary Shelley's father as "William Wollstonecraft" MULTIPLE times
-citing Plutarch's Lives, Paradise Lost, and The Sorrows Of Young Werther as being "influenceD BY" rather than "influenceS OF" English Romanticism
-stating that Clerval's "drowned body washed up" on shore, when the villagers, accustomed to drownings, were alarmed by Clerval's body precisely because it was found DRY and WARM
-and many more
There are also several misquotations caused by a lack of careful editing. This was obviously not written by someone who cared very much or paid much attention.
Frankenstein is a masterpiece and deserves the mere 6-7 hours it takes to read it. This guide is not worth the small amount of time saved.
May 22, 2023
This book shared useful insights on Frankenstein
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews