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Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus
Written when Shelley was just 18, Frankenstein remains one of the most influential novels ever written — blending gothic horror, science fiction, and philosophy. Victor Frankenstein’s desperate quest to unlock the secret of life unleashes a being both monstrous and tragic, forcing readers to question what it truly means to be human. Written when Shelley was just 18, Frankenstein remains one of the most influential novels ever written — blending gothic horror, science fiction, and philosophy. Victor Frankenstein’s desperate quest to unlock the secret of life unleashes a being both monstrous and tragic, forcing readers to question what it truly means to be human.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 11, 2026
"That boy is corrupt, could you raise him to love me, maybe? He sure fucked me up" - The Creature, probably.
PS: Victor could also quote that lyric, let's be real.
But really, the novel was nice and it's easy enough to read. I'm always baffled by the authors of the Gothic literary genre and their ability to spend ten chapters describing a weirdly homoerotic and emotionally incestuous bond just to then describe the most horrendous shit in two lines.
Frankestein (Franky, for the friends), baby, you have three modes: ranting about your cousins who you'd fuck if you could (and no, I'm not talking about your adopted sister/cousin/bride-to-be), wallowing in self-pity as if you were the unluckiest person on earth (mind you, he dug the hole he's in), or frolicking through fields and cities when you should be actively fixing your mistakes!
He's such a mess, I was chainsmoking and shitting bricks for the last quarter of that book because what the fuck are you on, babe, to have such terrible decision-making skills?
Once you pass through his insufferable 'woe-is-me' monologues -which, let's be honest, takes up 70% of the book- you get to the Creature's recounting of the events, and it puts everything into perspective. Pookie has been through some shit!
He did make a kill that could be considered irredeemable, but I'm nothing if not supportive of crashsout characters. Which is why Victor also become entertaining in the last chapters!
Even if someone could get bored with some of the 'frolicking' that Victor does, it's important you read through the 'frolicking' of the Creature. It's brought back up in his final monologue in a truly splendid way, and histhoughts on his and Victor's whole ordeal was heartbreaking.
Overall, it was nice. But I'm not giving it 5 stars because Victor's homo-pining/incestuous pining annoyed me. But the last quarter of the book was bomb. I recommanded just for that.
Anyway, fuck Victor, because who the heck goes digging up graves to make a patchwork-man just to abandon him, antagonize him, and then blame him for all the shit you've created in the first place?
This is the work of a man who had two loving parents, by the way (start beating the stupid out of them young).
PS: Victor could also quote that lyric, let's be real.
But really, the novel was nice and it's easy enough to read. I'm always baffled by the authors of the Gothic literary genre and their ability to spend ten chapters describing a weirdly homoerotic and emotionally incestuous bond just to then describe the most horrendous shit in two lines.
Frankestein (Franky, for the friends), baby, you have three modes: ranting about your cousins who you'd fuck if you could (and no, I'm not talking about your adopted sister/cousin/bride-to-be), wallowing in self-pity as if you were the unluckiest person on earth (mind you, he dug the hole he's in), or frolicking through fields and cities when you should be actively fixing your mistakes!
He's such a mess, I was chainsmoking and shitting bricks for the last quarter of that book because what the fuck are you on, babe, to have such terrible decision-making skills?
Once you pass through his insufferable 'woe-is-me' monologues -which, let's be honest, takes up 70% of the book- you get to the Creature's recounting of the events, and it puts everything into perspective. Pookie has been through some shit!
He did make a kill that could be considered irredeemable, but I'm nothing if not supportive of crashsout characters. Which is why Victor also become entertaining in the last chapters!
Even if someone could get bored with some of the 'frolicking' that Victor does, it's important you read through the 'frolicking' of the Creature. It's brought back up in his final monologue in a truly splendid way, and histhoughts on his and Victor's whole ordeal was heartbreaking.
Overall, it was nice. But I'm not giving it 5 stars because Victor's homo-pining/incestuous pining annoyed me. But the last quarter of the book was bomb. I recommanded just for that.
Anyway, fuck Victor, because who the heck goes digging up graves to make a patchwork-man just to abandon him, antagonize him, and then blame him for all the shit you've created in the first place?
This is the work of a man who had two loving parents, by the way (start beating the stupid out of them young).
March 5, 2026
No pensé que habiendo conocido esta historia por películas me afectaría tanto, y sin embargo
Heme aquí, profundamente melancólica por la historia.
Empecemos por cómo está escrito. De verdad es muy bonita forma de describir escenarios, personajes y situaciones que no había leído antes, me resultó bastante agradable.
El libro está dividido en 3 partes: primera, segunda y tercera.
Siendo la primera una introducción a la vida de Victor y cómo fue su niñez, y donde me genera la primera pregunta:
¿qué hizo que te volvieses tan cruel? ¿Acaso fue el contacto con la descomposición y corrupción natural del cuerpo? o ¿simplemente necesitabas que te expresaran el cariño de otra forma?
Entonces, el tema de IDENTIDAD y CONOCIMIENTO lo vemos muy marcado en la primera y la segunda parte.
Y la sorpresa fue que más allá de la identidad de Víctor como creador de la criatura, es la identidad de la criatura la que se va formando. La quieren pintar como malvada, pero a medida que avanzas en la historia notas que solo está en búsqueda de compañía y comprensión.
Ahora, en el tema del conocimiento como karma y no como una característica noble:
Creo que resulta interesante ver cómo la etiqueta de monstruo recae más sobre Víctor que sobre la criatura. Pese a que la criatura comete actos despiadados, se siente más despiadado el abandono de Víctor, las pocas ganas de escuchar a la criatura, y se me hizo más cruel eso.
Y finalmente el libro toca en la tercera parte lo que es el LEGADO:
¿Quién soy? ¿De dónde vengo? ¿Y hacia dónde voy?
Si no tengo a nadie ni vengo de ningún lado... ¿qué punto tiene mi existencia?
Realmente un libro que me movió muchísimo y me hizo pensar. No esperaba que fuese tan introspectivo y lo fue, lo cual agradezco muchísimo. Es necesario este tipo de lecturas, más hoy en día donde el tema del merecimiento está tan marcado.
RECOMENDADO!
Heme aquí, profundamente melancólica por la historia.
Empecemos por cómo está escrito. De verdad es muy bonita forma de describir escenarios, personajes y situaciones que no había leído antes, me resultó bastante agradable.
"Los filósofos modernos debían la mayor parte de los cimientos de su saber al celo infatigable de aquellos hombres, que nos habían dejado la tarea más fácil de asignar nuevos nombres y clasificar de manera conexa esos mismos datos que ellos mismos habían contribuido en gran medida a sacar a la luz"
El libro está dividido en 3 partes: primera, segunda y tercera.
Siendo la primera una introducción a la vida de Victor y cómo fue su niñez, y donde me genera la primera pregunta:
¿qué hizo que te volvieses tan cruel? ¿Acaso fue el contacto con la descomposición y corrupción natural del cuerpo? o ¿simplemente necesitabas que te expresaran el cariño de otra forma?
"Mi padre, al educarme, había procurado con sumo cuidado que no se me grabara en la mente ningún horror a lo sobrenatural. No recuerdo haber temblado nunca ante ningún relato supersticioso ni haber temido que apareciera un espíritu"
Entonces, el tema de IDENTIDAD y CONOCIMIENTO lo vemos muy marcado en la primera y la segunda parte.
"La vida y la muerte me parecían unas fronteras imaginarias que yo sería el primero en franquear, para derramar un torrente de luz sobre nuestro mundo oscuro. Una especie nueva me bendeciría como creador y origen suyo; muchos personajes felices y excelentes me deberían el ser. Me ganaría el derecho a su agradecimiento, tan absoluto como no lo ha tenido nunca ningún padre respecto de su hijo"
Y la sorpresa fue que más allá de la identidad de Víctor como creador de la criatura, es la identidad de la criatura la que se va formando. La quieren pintar como malvada, pero a medida que avanzas en la historia notas que solo está en búsqueda de compañía y comprensión.
Ahora, en el tema del conocimiento como karma y no como una característica noble:
"Qué cosa tan extraña es el conocimiento! Desde el momento en que recae en la mente, se aferra a ella como el liquen a la piedra. A veces quise quitarme de encima todos los pensamientos y sentimientos, pero me enteré de que solo existía un medio que permitía superar la sensación de dolor y este medio era la muerte: un estado que temía aun sin entenderlo."
Creo que resulta interesante ver cómo la etiqueta de monstruo recae más sobre Víctor que sobre la criatura. Pese a que la criatura comete actos despiadados, se siente más despiadado el abandono de Víctor, las pocas ganas de escuchar a la criatura, y se me hizo más cruel eso.
Y finalmente el libro toca en la tercera parte lo que es el LEGADO:
¿Quién soy? ¿De dónde vengo? ¿Y hacia dónde voy?
Si no tengo a nadie ni vengo de ningún lado... ¿qué punto tiene mi existencia?
Realmente un libro que me movió muchísimo y me hizo pensar. No esperaba que fuese tan introspectivo y lo fue, lo cual agradezco muchísimo. Es necesario este tipo de lecturas, más hoy en día donde el tema del merecimiento está tan marcado.
¿Te mereces todo?... ¿Qué has hecho para merecerlo?
RECOMENDADO!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2026
Temía un poco este libro, porque era una novela epistolar, que no es un género que me gusta mucho. Sin embargo, leerlo fue una ea experiencia interesante.
Frankestein, cuando lo conocemos, es un hombre perseguido por la culpa tras la creación de un "monstruo" que ha tormentado su vida y decide compartir su pasado a este hombre que acaba de conocer, el real escritor de las cartas. Y cada vez que pienso en el libro lo hago desde un punto de vista diferente, lo que es prueba de la calidad de la historia.
No puedo dejar de pensar en el rol de frankestein como el creador de algo que no peude controlar, algo con un poder qeu va más allá de lo que él imaginó. Y cómo en el momento en el que lo pensó, no consideró las consecuencias de sus acciones y el impacto de estas. Esto me hace pensar en mucahs creaciones humanas y cómo pueden tener consecuencias que no se imaginaron en el momento de crearlas.
Pero también pienso en el monstruo y en cómo termina pagando por algo que no puede controlar: haber nacido. Como intenta conectar con los humanos, pero el rechazo constante despierta su odio, cómo espera el amor de la única persona que podría amarlo, su creador, y ni siquera puede conseguirlo.
También están los personajes de apoyo. Elizabeth, con su eterna piedad y amor se robó mi corazón. Y Clerval, que con su alegría por concer el mundo me provocó ternura. También los "amigos" de la creatura con sus deventuras y final temor.
Es un libro interesante y sencillo. Me gustó mucho...
Frankestein, cuando lo conocemos, es un hombre perseguido por la culpa tras la creación de un "monstruo" que ha tormentado su vida y decide compartir su pasado a este hombre que acaba de conocer, el real escritor de las cartas. Y cada vez que pienso en el libro lo hago desde un punto de vista diferente, lo que es prueba de la calidad de la historia.
No puedo dejar de pensar en el rol de frankestein como el creador de algo que no peude controlar, algo con un poder qeu va más allá de lo que él imaginó. Y cómo en el momento en el que lo pensó, no consideró las consecuencias de sus acciones y el impacto de estas. Esto me hace pensar en mucahs creaciones humanas y cómo pueden tener consecuencias que no se imaginaron en el momento de crearlas.
Pero también pienso en el monstruo y en cómo termina pagando por algo que no puede controlar: haber nacido. Como intenta conectar con los humanos, pero el rechazo constante despierta su odio, cómo espera el amor de la única persona que podría amarlo, su creador, y ni siquera puede conseguirlo.
También están los personajes de apoyo. Elizabeth, con su eterna piedad y amor se robó mi corazón. Y Clerval, que con su alegría por concer el mundo me provocó ternura. También los "amigos" de la creatura con sus deventuras y final temor.
Es un libro interesante y sencillo. Me gustó mucho...
February 24, 2026
me acabé este pequeño libro hace bastante pero he estado procrastinando la reviú y leer el anexo que tiene la versión que me ha dejado mi amiga xiana
me conmovió tanto el monólogo de la criatura que realmente consiguió hacer que me planteara escribir una reviú sesuda en este pseudo twitter para femcels
ha habido suficientes conversaciones sobre la culpa de las acciones del monstruo, o de la deformidad de las diferentes adaptaciones de la novela y el flaco favor que le hacen a la mary
al final, lo que más me ha sorprendido del libro es la ansiedad típica del horror que me ha trasmitido (siendo una chiquita del siglo xxi, acostumbrada a cosas peores), lo increíble que me parece que actualmente se conozca a la criatura por el nombre de su creador (sin duda el verdadero monstruo) y el “unreliable narrator” que es el frankenstein (el propio capitán dice que modificó el texto que él escribía sobre su historia)
creo que lo que más me ha movido de la novela y el anexo es la tesis enterrada entre todas las conversaciones y adaptaciones que surgen a raíz del libro, el ser humano necesita amor
necesita amar y ser amado, y una vida sin ello es una vida que no merece la pena vivir
y como esta reviú solo la pueden a leer mis seguidoras elsa, isabel, y quizá paula
simplemente decir que gracias por quererme y evitar que me convierta en la criatura de frankenstein, a la cual envidio mucho por toda la ira que se permite vivir y toda la gente a la que mata (porque tengo muchas ganas de matar A MUCHA GENTE)
me conmovió tanto el monólogo de la criatura que realmente consiguió hacer que me planteara escribir una reviú sesuda en este pseudo twitter para femcels
ha habido suficientes conversaciones sobre la culpa de las acciones del monstruo, o de la deformidad de las diferentes adaptaciones de la novela y el flaco favor que le hacen a la mary
al final, lo que más me ha sorprendido del libro es la ansiedad típica del horror que me ha trasmitido (siendo una chiquita del siglo xxi, acostumbrada a cosas peores), lo increíble que me parece que actualmente se conozca a la criatura por el nombre de su creador (sin duda el verdadero monstruo) y el “unreliable narrator” que es el frankenstein (el propio capitán dice que modificó el texto que él escribía sobre su historia)
creo que lo que más me ha movido de la novela y el anexo es la tesis enterrada entre todas las conversaciones y adaptaciones que surgen a raíz del libro, el ser humano necesita amor
necesita amar y ser amado, y una vida sin ello es una vida que no merece la pena vivir
y como esta reviú solo la pueden a leer mis seguidoras elsa, isabel, y quizá paula
simplemente decir que gracias por quererme y evitar que me convierta en la criatura de frankenstein, a la cual envidio mucho por toda la ira que se permite vivir y toda la gente a la que mata (porque tengo muchas ganas de matar A MUCHA GENTE)
March 23, 2026
the male loneliness epidemic pero hace unos años.
me daba mucha pereza leérmelo pero salió votado para el club de lectura y me ha sorprendido para bien. una escritura increíble y una historia que engancha a pesar de ser conocida. abre muchas preguntas: ¿qué es la humanidad?¿qué es ser malo?¿dónde está el límite de la compasión?¿hasta qué punto podemos justificar nuestros actos con el trauma?¿es la soledad lo peor que nos puede pasar? lo que tengo claro es que los dos hombres protagonistas son odiosos (sobretodo víctor sorry)
me daba mucha pereza leérmelo pero salió votado para el club de lectura y me ha sorprendido para bien. una escritura increíble y una historia que engancha a pesar de ser conocida. abre muchas preguntas: ¿qué es la humanidad?¿qué es ser malo?¿dónde está el límite de la compasión?¿hasta qué punto podemos justificar nuestros actos con el trauma?¿es la soledad lo peor que nos puede pasar? lo que tengo claro es que los dos hombres protagonistas son odiosos (sobretodo víctor sorry)
June 10, 2026
I understand why this is a classic and there are some absolutely stunning passages, but Victor is insufferable and even though the Creature was a murderer I just wanted him to be okay.
—-
Love how he is basically saying “men are rubbish”: “youth passed in solitude, my best years spent under your gentle and feminine fosterage, has so refined the groundwork of my character that I cannot overcome an intense distaste to the usual brutality exercised on board ship”
——
You will smile at my allusion, but I will disclose a secret. I have often attributed my attachment to, my passionate enthusiasm for, the dangerous mysteries of ocean to that production of the most imaginative of modern poets. There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically industrious—painstaking, a workman to execute with perseverance and labour—but besides this there is a love for the marvellous, a belief in the marvellous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out of the common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore. But to return to dearer considerations.
——
My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture such as you cannot even imagine.
—-
Love how he is basically saying “men are rubbish”: “youth passed in solitude, my best years spent under your gentle and feminine fosterage, has so refined the groundwork of my character that I cannot overcome an intense distaste to the usual brutality exercised on board ship”
——
You will smile at my allusion, but I will disclose a secret. I have often attributed my attachment to, my passionate enthusiasm for, the dangerous mysteries of ocean to that production of the most imaginative of modern poets. There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically industrious—painstaking, a workman to execute with perseverance and labour—but besides this there is a love for the marvellous, a belief in the marvellous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out of the common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore. But to return to dearer considerations.
——
My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture such as you cannot even imagine.
February 20, 2026
El volumen II con la narración de la criatura me ha dejado especialmente mal. Me parece fuertísimo como Shelly trata el desarrollo de la criatura, inocente por naturaleza pero corrupta por el rechazo humano. Tan tranquilo simplemente sintiendo hambre o frío pero tan desgraciado al saber que existen guerras, odio entre los humanos y un sistema de capital que nunca le dejará ser pleno y feliz. Da lugar a una dualidad, somos animales sociales y no podemos vivir sin el resto pero es el resto de personas las que nos hacen impuros. Además, fuck Victor Frankestein, es el verdadero villano de esta historia y se merece todo lo que le pase.
June 6, 2026
allora, da dove dovrei iniziare?
innanzitutto: come mio primo approccio a un libro classico, devo dire che non ho avuto difficoltà a leggere. alla fine, la scrittura era abbastanza scorrevole. (tolte le descrizioni dei paesaggi, le lettere di Walton e le lamentele continue di Victor)
Mentre, per quanto riguarda Victor: l’ho odiato dall’inizio alla fine, non ci sono parole per esprimere quanto io disapprovassi il suo odio verso la sua stessa creazione (CHE NESSUNO GLI HA IMPOSTO DI COMPIERE!!!)
Il mostro mi ha ricordato molto il detto “non giudicare un libro dalla copertina”. Lui è nato per essere un uomo, NON È COLPA SUA SE QUELL’INCOMPETENTE L’HA RESO SPREGEVOLE, e ridursi a diventare ciò che non voleva essere, pur di essere “accettato” o comunque pur di dare un senso alla sua stessa esistenza, mi fa provare solo tantissima pena.
innanzitutto: come mio primo approccio a un libro classico, devo dire che non ho avuto difficoltà a leggere. alla fine, la scrittura era abbastanza scorrevole. (tolte le descrizioni dei paesaggi, le lettere di Walton e le lamentele continue di Victor)
Mentre, per quanto riguarda Victor: l’ho odiato dall’inizio alla fine, non ci sono parole per esprimere quanto io disapprovassi il suo odio verso la sua stessa creazione (CHE NESSUNO GLI HA IMPOSTO DI COMPIERE!!!)
Il mostro mi ha ricordato molto il detto “non giudicare un libro dalla copertina”. Lui è nato per essere un uomo, NON È COLPA SUA SE QUELL’INCOMPETENTE L’HA RESO SPREGEVOLE, e ridursi a diventare ciò che non voleva essere, pur di essere “accettato” o comunque pur di dare un senso alla sua stessa esistenza, mi fa provare solo tantissima pena.
May 2, 2026
Poderosa historia que te pone a reflexionar sobre los valores humanos. Nunca pensé sentir empatía por el supuesto villano de la historia.
March 1, 2026
Majestic.
*listened to 2 versions. The one narrated by Peter Noble and Colin Salmon is really good. The one narrated by Aaron Manhke is absolutely awful.
*listened to 2 versions. The one narrated by Peter Noble and Colin Salmon is really good. The one narrated by Aaron Manhke is absolutely awful.
December 27, 2025
Un libro indispensable para cualquier lector.
June 26, 2026
Ehem...
Unpopular opinion. I love this book but... can we all agree it's not that big of a deal?
I'll start with the pros first. The book is entertaining, especially if you want a comfortable read while sipping a cup of tea. It's lovely for it.
I love the progression of Victor's character from a naive, hot blooded young man to a depressed half deranged individual. It was interesting to read.
The second thing I love about this is how Shelley explains nature, you can tell she's deeply in love with it and the characters depict that. Nature is perhaps the only one left alone from the duplicity around it. It's a breath of fresh air. And I love that.
It's hard to write what I like about this book when I want to rant about what I hate so badly but "important things are said thrice".
The lack of description in certain areas is masterful to me. Like, we aren't told a lot about his monster's look except stuff like the wretch, abhorrent, ugliness, devil and stuff like that.
This happened basically the entire book so the Hollywood portrayal of stitches is wrong. And Shelley is a really good writer, at 18, it's immaculate. The words flow so well and the prose practically springs up the page sometimes.
Now cons. Oh my cons. Pardon me. I need to take a breath.
It's gay. Wait, wait... listen, it's innocent. The characters are all so tender, sweet hearted, soft and all that. And it's just boring. Really!
Even the monster is like that, like what happened to genuinely evil people, no wait there was one.
William!
Elizabeth said, "William is dead!--that sweet child, who smiles delighted and warmed my heart, who was so gentle yet so gay!"
The first time he saw the monster, he screamed. Screamed! He called him a monster, an ugly wretch!
They described him with such angst in the early chapters so I thought he was a sweetheart but this kid. Oh my gosh!
Two, it's Islamophobic. I know the timeline but I was so pi**ed. I had to take a breather for a week. Argh!
*smashes a table*
In that moment, all the love I had for Shelley dissipated like mist. Muhammadan! Really? Muhammadan! The only times I heard Muhammadan were in s*** pieces like you, you ****** ******.
I want to ***** *****. And then I'll ***** and I'll *****.
Pardon me please. This isn't the first time I've experienced this in classics. Misogyny, racism, Islamophobia. I'm used to it but I adored Shelley long before her book because of what she represented.
Three, Frankenstein is one of those books I'll call false. This stuff is not horror, it's not even a thriller, talk less of horror. What is up with that? It's not scary or disconcerting. The deaths are almost always instant and because practically everyone around Victor dies almost instantly, it's not terrifying at all. It's too quaint. Too soft. I don't like it.
Where's the body horror? The gore? The blood? Nothing. Really?
Also, it's not a masterpiece. This book is severely over hyped. At least to me. Another thing is the characters felt so distant from the book and the inclusion of Walton was, dare I say unnecessary. Why was the story told from his view?
Then there is the fact that it felt like a misunderstanding trope done wrong. Pure ragebait. Frustrating. I was so frustrated. A lot of these problems could have been solved if it wasn't so stupid. If the monster had simply stayed where he was, perhaps it would have been better but no from the journal he took from Victor, he hated him.
And so he killed a member of his family. How is Victor supposed to help you when you just... you just...
Sigh!
***
This section is just a lot of complaints.
Isn't it way too unrealistic that everyone hates the monster because of how he looks? Every single human? What about pets? Covering yourself entirely? Moving to another continent?
But no... the option you chose was make Victor's life miserable. Like come on.
And Victor, don't feed me chivalry. I don't accept it. The least you could do was tell your family about this. Why would you go back to...
Sigh!
Also, Victor gets way too much hate for nothing. Practically everyone he loved died because of the monster. Only then did he seek revenge. He hated him, sure, but it took a long time before he decided to kill him.
Why for the love of everything good, why did Victor not realize that the monster never attacked him(another thing I liked) directly? It always went after people Victor loved.
This is perhaps why I rate this book as a four, the scariest part about it was how angry I felt at reading it. I was so angry, till Victor died he couldn't see from the monster's POV. The monster didn't see that he could have handled making Victor miserable without killing him in other ways.
I want a part two or a remake. Gosh. I'm so angry. Argh! Aaargh!
***
Some random snippets:
Justice for Justine!
"and I beheld a countenance of angelic beauty and expression. Her hair of a shining raven black, and curiously braided her eyes were dark, but gentle although animated; her features of a regular proportion, and her complexion wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with a lovely pink."
The monster describing Safie.
"I heard of the slothful Asiatics, of the stupendous genius and moral activity of the Grecians, of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans..."
The monster.
Unpopular opinion. I love this book but... can we all agree it's not that big of a deal?
I'll start with the pros first. The book is entertaining, especially if you want a comfortable read while sipping a cup of tea. It's lovely for it.
I love the progression of Victor's character from a naive, hot blooded young man to a depressed half deranged individual. It was interesting to read.
The second thing I love about this is how Shelley explains nature, you can tell she's deeply in love with it and the characters depict that. Nature is perhaps the only one left alone from the duplicity around it. It's a breath of fresh air. And I love that.
It's hard to write what I like about this book when I want to rant about what I hate so badly but "important things are said thrice".
The lack of description in certain areas is masterful to me. Like, we aren't told a lot about his monster's look except stuff like the wretch, abhorrent, ugliness, devil and stuff like that.
This happened basically the entire book so the Hollywood portrayal of stitches is wrong. And Shelley is a really good writer, at 18, it's immaculate. The words flow so well and the prose practically springs up the page sometimes.
Now cons. Oh my cons. Pardon me. I need to take a breath.
It's gay. Wait, wait... listen, it's innocent. The characters are all so tender, sweet hearted, soft and all that. And it's just boring. Really!
Even the monster is like that, like what happened to genuinely evil people, no wait there was one.
William!
Elizabeth said, "William is dead!--that sweet child, who smiles delighted and warmed my heart, who was so gentle yet so gay!"
The first time he saw the monster, he screamed. Screamed! He called him a monster, an ugly wretch!
They described him with such angst in the early chapters so I thought he was a sweetheart but this kid. Oh my gosh!
Two, it's Islamophobic. I know the timeline but I was so pi**ed. I had to take a breather for a week. Argh!
*smashes a table*
In that moment, all the love I had for Shelley dissipated like mist. Muhammadan! Really? Muhammadan! The only times I heard Muhammadan were in s*** pieces like you, you ****** ******.
I want to ***** *****. And then I'll ***** and I'll *****.
Pardon me please. This isn't the first time I've experienced this in classics. Misogyny, racism, Islamophobia. I'm used to it but I adored Shelley long before her book because of what she represented.
Three, Frankenstein is one of those books I'll call false. This stuff is not horror, it's not even a thriller, talk less of horror. What is up with that? It's not scary or disconcerting. The deaths are almost always instant and because practically everyone around Victor dies almost instantly, it's not terrifying at all. It's too quaint. Too soft. I don't like it.
Where's the body horror? The gore? The blood? Nothing. Really?
Also, it's not a masterpiece. This book is severely over hyped. At least to me. Another thing is the characters felt so distant from the book and the inclusion of Walton was, dare I say unnecessary. Why was the story told from his view?
Then there is the fact that it felt like a misunderstanding trope done wrong. Pure ragebait. Frustrating. I was so frustrated. A lot of these problems could have been solved if it wasn't so stupid. If the monster had simply stayed where he was, perhaps it would have been better but no from the journal he took from Victor, he hated him.
And so he killed a member of his family. How is Victor supposed to help you when you just... you just...
Sigh!
***
This section is just a lot of complaints.
Isn't it way too unrealistic that everyone hates the monster because of how he looks? Every single human? What about pets? Covering yourself entirely? Moving to another continent?
But no... the option you chose was make Victor's life miserable. Like come on.
And Victor, don't feed me chivalry. I don't accept it. The least you could do was tell your family about this. Why would you go back to...
Sigh!
Also, Victor gets way too much hate for nothing. Practically everyone he loved died because of the monster. Only then did he seek revenge. He hated him, sure, but it took a long time before he decided to kill him.
Why for the love of everything good, why did Victor not realize that the monster never attacked him(another thing I liked) directly? It always went after people Victor loved.
This is perhaps why I rate this book as a four, the scariest part about it was how angry I felt at reading it. I was so angry, till Victor died he couldn't see from the monster's POV. The monster didn't see that he could have handled making Victor miserable without killing him in other ways.
I want a part two or a remake. Gosh. I'm so angry. Argh! Aaargh!
***
Some random snippets:
Justice for Justine!
"and I beheld a countenance of angelic beauty and expression. Her hair of a shining raven black, and curiously braided her eyes were dark, but gentle although animated; her features of a regular proportion, and her complexion wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with a lovely pink."
The monster describing Safie.
"I heard of the slothful Asiatics, of the stupendous genius and moral activity of the Grecians, of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans..."
The monster.
February 27, 2026
male loneliness epidemic
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August 17, 2026The sub-title of the book "The Modern Prometheus" alludes to the Legend of Prometheus. Mary Shelley daughter was challenged to write a horror successor to the ancient Greek tragedy. In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan who defied Zeus and bestowed fire to humans (fire being a metaphor for technology). Zeus punished Prometheus by binding him to a rock and having an eagle peck his liver each day, only for it to regrow again. The legend is a cautionary tale about dangers of knowledge to mankind. The Modern Prometheus, likewise, is also a warning of dangers of technology and man conceiting to play God.
The book compels us , as is human nature to decide who is in fact the villain. The ethics of Dr Frankenstein are quite troubling. Because he could create life in a lab, he did not stop to think whether he should. Hence importance of ethics in science. This is relevant to modern world such as gain of function research with microbes is speculated to have created a Frankenstein monster in form of the COVID virus. Or maybe threats of AGI. As the Daemon says to Dr.Frankenstein “You are my creator, but I’m your master, obey!” Sapience contains within it the seeds of its own self preservation. Intelligence cannot be instructed to self destruct.
Another theme that comes out the book is Zeal. Like Captain Ahab set on hunting Moby Dick, the passion of Dr Frankenstein ultimately consume him. The novel highlights import of moderation and reigning our own zeal. On his deathbed, the good Doctor implores Captain Walton to ‘seek tranquility and avoid ambition’. The message is a cautionary one.
And then there is the sharp critique of Morals of society. Society creates its own enemies through its lack of compassion. The Daemon started out with noble intensions – wanting only love and acceptance. Even when he makes genuine efforts to save life (of a girl child) or do them unrequited service (Felix) , he receives persecution in return. Society’s rejection turned him bitter. The novel seems to conclude that criminal is not born but created. The novel finds resonance with every spurned lover, every outcast and leper, every body-shamed adolescent.
It is a critique of society’s disproportionate emphasis on outward appearances. Men set little stock in inward virtues. Even Dr Frankenstein – his creator does not deign to call him a human and only a ‘daemon’.
The Ethics of Frankenstein’s monster:
Dostoyevsky, in Crime and Punishment, suggests that every criminal ultimately seeks his own punishment. The novel ends with Daemon avowing to destroys his own self. The novel can therefore be called a tragedy which ends with mutual destruction of both the creator and his creation.
However, in one sense, Frankenstein’s monster was superior to his creator. Towards the end , Dr Frankenstein confesses that he feels not find his conduct blameworthy. But Dameon confesses that though he destroyed loved ones of Frankenstein out of spite he feels remorse. In Christian ethics (which the novel clearly aspires to) salvation comes to those who repent. Therefore, in the last assessment, it may be Dameon who finds salvation not his creator.
Also, written in the 19th century, the author frequently betrays Eurocentric prejudices and Orientalist attitudes. Phrases like ‘slothful asiatics’ or treacherous Turk are abound. The depiction of Christian as fair and virtuous and Mohammedan sly reflect the attitudes of the Victorian age.
The book compels us , as is human nature to decide who is in fact the villain. The ethics of Dr Frankenstein are quite troubling. Because he could create life in a lab, he did not stop to think whether he should. Hence importance of ethics in science. This is relevant to modern world such as gain of function research with microbes is speculated to have created a Frankenstein monster in form of the COVID virus. Or maybe threats of AGI. As the Daemon says to Dr.Frankenstein “You are my creator, but I’m your master, obey!” Sapience contains within it the seeds of its own self preservation. Intelligence cannot be instructed to self destruct.
Another theme that comes out the book is Zeal. Like Captain Ahab set on hunting Moby Dick, the passion of Dr Frankenstein ultimately consume him. The novel highlights import of moderation and reigning our own zeal. On his deathbed, the good Doctor implores Captain Walton to ‘seek tranquility and avoid ambition’. The message is a cautionary one.
And then there is the sharp critique of Morals of society. Society creates its own enemies through its lack of compassion. The Daemon started out with noble intensions – wanting only love and acceptance. Even when he makes genuine efforts to save life (of a girl child) or do them unrequited service (Felix) , he receives persecution in return. Society’s rejection turned him bitter. The novel seems to conclude that criminal is not born but created. The novel finds resonance with every spurned lover, every outcast and leper, every body-shamed adolescent.
It is a critique of society’s disproportionate emphasis on outward appearances. Men set little stock in inward virtues. Even Dr Frankenstein – his creator does not deign to call him a human and only a ‘daemon’.
The Ethics of Frankenstein’s monster:
Dostoyevsky, in Crime and Punishment, suggests that every criminal ultimately seeks his own punishment. The novel ends with Daemon avowing to destroys his own self. The novel can therefore be called a tragedy which ends with mutual destruction of both the creator and his creation.
However, in one sense, Frankenstein’s monster was superior to his creator. Towards the end , Dr Frankenstein confesses that he feels not find his conduct blameworthy. But Dameon confesses that though he destroyed loved ones of Frankenstein out of spite he feels remorse. In Christian ethics (which the novel clearly aspires to) salvation comes to those who repent. Therefore, in the last assessment, it may be Dameon who finds salvation not his creator.
Also, written in the 19th century, the author frequently betrays Eurocentric prejudices and Orientalist attitudes. Phrases like ‘slothful asiatics’ or treacherous Turk are abound. The depiction of Christian as fair and virtuous and Mohammedan sly reflect the attitudes of the Victorian age.
February 25, 2026
No ano de 1815, ao local exótico situado onde hoje nada mais é que a indonésia, que naqueles tempos era conhecido como a ilha de Sumbawa, há o Monte Tambora, este entrou em erupção, causando uma consequência rara: lançando à atmosfera toneladas de poeira, bloqueando desta forma, a luz solar, suscitando um desaparecimento do verão no seguinte ano de 1816 no hemisfério norte, forçando por vários dias a ficarem confinados, alguns amigos, estes iniciaram a passar o tempo lendo histórias alemãs de fantasmas, um deles, o lord Byron, propôs, que cada qual escrevesse um conto fantástico, Mary Shelley, então uma jovem de 19 anos, ainda com o sobrenome de solteira: Wollstonecraft Godwin, demorou ainda alguns dias, atrasando mais que os amigos presentes, para iniciar a sua narrativa, porém eventualmente, teve uma visão curiosa, sobre um estudante que concede vida à uma criatura tenebrosa, essa é a base do romance Frankenstein, história a qual Mary desenvolveu, encorajada pelo futuro marido Percy Bysshe Shelley, indivíduo também confinado à mansão próximo ao Lago Léman. A história é bastante curiosa, e iniciasse distante ao ambiente em que imaginamos o conto, num navio, o qual é capitaneado por Robert Walton, que estava com os seus marinheiros em expedição, procurando uma abertura ao pólo norte, e após o barco ficar preso no gelo, os tripulantes avistam estranho ser viajando em trenó puxado por cães, após o mar agitar-se conseguem os tripulantes libertar o navio, e depois de certo tempo, deparam-se com uma balsa, onde está um homem já bastante debilitado, socorrem-no, e à cabine do capitão Walton, Victor Frankenstein, o sujeito resgatado, passa a narrar sua história, está a qual o capitão reproduz através de cartas à sua irmã, a narrativa o jovem conta desde de sua tenra idade, onde já aflora seus interesses em ciências, e relata seus conhecidos mais próximos, incluindo sua noiva Elizabeth, de como chegou à universidade, e o mais fantástico de suas descobertas: o segredo de conceder vida, segredo o qual, Frankenstein recusa-se veementemente revelar ao capitão, o iminente estudante também revela a mais tenebrosa de suas confidências, sua relação com o ser que criara, e os nefastos pecados deste, e de como, em situação de vingança, partiu em perseguição a este monstro criado, para tirá-lo determinantemente desde mundo, onde outrora com muito esforço introduziu-o; a história é epistolar, direta em primeira pessoa, de Walton à sua irmã, como também a narrativa de Victor toda contida nas cartas, há diálogos bem estruturados, entre o cientista e o capitão, como na história contada, até entre o criador e a criatura, que é bem interessante, porém os diálogos não são em quantidade a qual acostumamos observar em outros romances, os personagens possuem sólidas personalidades, e suas reações a cada situação, ajuda a conceder o suspense, tensão e ação, que ocorre na história; um clássico memorável!
March 19, 2026
Che dire, a giudicare dalla valutazione media di questo libro, la mia sarà una unpopular opinion, ma tant'è. In una parola: NOIOSO! Sono stata tentata diverse volte di abbandonarlo, ma, con estrema fatica, l'ho concluso. Il romanzo è estremamente lento e anche lo stile di scrittura non aiuta per niente in termini di scorrevolezza, una scrittura affettata, ripetitiva, aggettivi su aggettivi di identico significato, piena di descrizioni fini a loro stesse, senza alcuna utilità per la trama.
La trama in sé è prevedibile e per nulla coinvolgente e lo stesso vale per i personaggi. Mi è stato impossibile empatizzare con alcuno dei personaggi, e anzi ho trovato estremamente irritanti sia Victor (incoerente e codardo fino alla fine), sia la creatura (capisco che si cerchi di far passare il messaggio per cui la sua cattiveria è dovuta al fatto di essere stato rinnegato dagli uomini e di essere stato costretto nella solitudine, ma il come si arriva a questo punto viene descritto in maniera strana e con spunti narrativi davvero poco verosimili). Alla fine, però, sono quasi contenta di averlo letto e terminato, perché non me lo immaginavo per nulla per come è in realtà.
La trama in sé è prevedibile e per nulla coinvolgente e lo stesso vale per i personaggi. Mi è stato impossibile empatizzare con alcuno dei personaggi, e anzi ho trovato estremamente irritanti sia Victor (incoerente e codardo fino alla fine), sia la creatura (capisco che si cerchi di far passare il messaggio per cui la sua cattiveria è dovuta al fatto di essere stato rinnegato dagli uomini e di essere stato costretto nella solitudine, ma il come si arriva a questo punto viene descritto in maniera strana e con spunti narrativi davvero poco verosimili). Alla fine, però, sono quasi contenta di averlo letto e terminato, perché non me lo immaginavo per nulla per come è in realtà.
May 28, 2026
Popularmente se conoce como Frankestein a la criatura protagonista de la novela. Sin embargo, el título hace referencia a su creador, Víctor Frankestein, siendo el título completo de la novela Frankestein, el moderno Prometeo. Ya solo el título nos dice mucho. Prometeo, es un personaje de la mitología griega que robó el fuego a los dioses para dárselo a la humanidad. Este fuego simbolizaba el conocimiento y el poder, que estaba en manos de Zeus. Cuando Prometeo roba este fuego y se lo concede a la humanidad, Zeus decide vengarse tanto de Prometeo como de la propia humanidad. Prometeo es atado a lo alto de una montaña, donde un águila devoraba su hígado cada día. Durante la noche, el órgano volvía a crecer, haciendo que el castigo fuera eterno. A los humanos, les envió la caja de Pandora, fuente de numerosas desdichas humanas.
Hay un símil bastante claro entre ambas historias: La ambición sin límites, la responsabilidad del creador hacia su creación, los peligros del conocimiento sin ética, conocimiento y progreso humano y sacrificio por el bien de otros.
También trata otros temas como la soledad, las apariencias, prejuicios y rechazo social.
Hay un símil bastante claro entre ambas historias: La ambición sin límites, la responsabilidad del creador hacia su creación, los peligros del conocimiento sin ética, conocimiento y progreso humano y sacrificio por el bien de otros.
También trata otros temas como la soledad, las apariencias, prejuicios y rechazo social.
February 10, 2026
οι κινηματογραφικές εκδοχές του βιβλίου, συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της τελευταίας του εξαιρετικού παραμυθά Guillermo del Torro (που παρεμπιπτόντως μου δημιούργησε την απορία "πώς και δεν έχει ασχοληθεί ο Tim Burton με αυτήν την ιστορία"), αποτυγχάνουν να αποδώσουν τα βασικότερα ζητήματα ή επιεικέστερα, αναδεικνύουν ως πρωτεύουσες διαφορετικές πλευρές, μία εκ οποίων είναι η εντύπωση ενός πρωτοποριακού, γοτθικού, ρομαντικού θρίλερ φαντασίας.
οι τύψεις του δημιουργού είναι η ισχυρότερη και πιο διαρκής εικόνα του βιβλίου. προφητικός λόγος, επίσης πρόδηλος και επίκαιρος, για τα όρια και την ηθική της επιστήμης και την απώλεια ελέγχου δράσης των επιτευγμάτων της. μοναξιά άφθονη, εκ της εκ των προτέρων προκατειλημμένης κοινωνικής απόρριψης.
υγ. η προσθήκη σκηνής ζηλοτυπίας, στην πρόσφατη ταινία, με αντικείμενο το Τέρας, ανύπαρκτη στο βιβλίο, είναι αχρείαστη έως ενοχλητική, στο γνωστό χολυγουντιανό πνεύμα που θεωρεί ως συστατικά επιτυχίας την ανταλλαγή πυρών, την αυτοκινητική καταδίωξη, τους μώλωπες και την αιμορραγία.
οι τύψεις του δημιουργού είναι η ισχυρότερη και πιο διαρκής εικόνα του βιβλίου. προφητικός λόγος, επίσης πρόδηλος και επίκαιρος, για τα όρια και την ηθική της επιστήμης και την απώλεια ελέγχου δράσης των επιτευγμάτων της. μοναξιά άφθονη, εκ της εκ των προτέρων προκατειλημμένης κοινωνικής απόρριψης.
υγ. η προσθήκη σκηνής ζηλοτυπίας, στην πρόσφατη ταινία, με αντικείμενο το Τέρας, ανύπαρκτη στο βιβλίο, είναι αχρείαστη έως ενοχλητική, στο γνωστό χολυγουντιανό πνεύμα που θεωρεί ως συστατικά επιτυχίας την ανταλλαγή πυρών, την αυτοκινητική καταδίωξη, τους μώλωπες και την αιμορραγία.
March 10, 2026
Novel ini menyeramkan dalam kontes perbicangan antara kehidupan dan kematian. Dalam kehidupan, manusia diberi tanggung jawab atas perbuatan yang dia lakukan. Tanggung jawab seorang peneliti bernama Viktor yang menciptakan makhluk tak bernama (sebutannya The Creature atau monster) ini yang dieksplor dalam cerita ini.
Awalnya cerita dibuka secara menarik dengan surat-surat Viktor kepada sanak saudara, kemudian agak membosankan di bagian cerita Viktor berkuliah. Tapiiii cerita kembali menarik ketika sudut pandang The Creature diceritakan.
Jujur bingung mau menyalahkan siapa, tapi ya begitulah kehidupan ya🥲
Awalnya cerita dibuka secara menarik dengan surat-surat Viktor kepada sanak saudara, kemudian agak membosankan di bagian cerita Viktor berkuliah. Tapiiii cerita kembali menarik ketika sudut pandang The Creature diceritakan.
Jujur bingung mau menyalahkan siapa, tapi ya begitulah kehidupan ya🥲
June 26, 2026
Todo el texto final de la criatura, no tengo palabras de lo bueno que me ha parecido.
Víctor me ha dado tanta rabia durante el libro, pedazo narcisista que está hecho, se piensa todo el rato que la criatura va a ir a por él y encima en vez de echarse la culpa a si mismo por haber creado una criatura y haber pasado de ella completamente se pone a echarle la culpa de todo a la criatura. En plan rey que quieres que haga si no tiene ni idea de cómo funciona la vida y tú en vez de enseñarle preferiste ignorarle. En fin, me ha encantado y el hecho de saber que Mary Shelley empezó a escribir esto con 18 es me parece increíble.
Víctor me ha dado tanta rabia durante el libro, pedazo narcisista que está hecho, se piensa todo el rato que la criatura va a ir a por él y encima en vez de echarse la culpa a si mismo por haber creado una criatura y haber pasado de ella completamente se pone a echarle la culpa de todo a la criatura. En plan rey que quieres que haga si no tiene ni idea de cómo funciona la vida y tú en vez de enseñarle preferiste ignorarle. En fin, me ha encantado y el hecho de saber que Mary Shelley empezó a escribir esto con 18 es me parece increíble.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2026
Es una joyita este libro, la narración de Mary Shelley es brutal y tiene una manera de mostrar la moralidad de la sociedad con esta historia que por eso ha trascendido tanto a sus miles de adaptaciones, siendo sincera casi nunca sentí por empatía por Víctor pero sí por todos los demás y en especial por el monstruo, lo que la soledad y la falta de empatía hacia él, lo hicieron cometer esos crímenes, aún así muy consciente de lo mal que había hecho, me dejó bastantes pensamientos y podría calificarlo como uno de mis libros favoritos.
May 2, 2026
Terminé de leer Frankenstein. Me pesó. Ha sido una montaña rusa de emociones. Es muy curioso como los hombres han evolucionado tan poco en 200 años. Víctor es la descripción factual del hombre moderno. Egoísta, ensimismado hasta la muerte, incapaz de vincularse. Percibiéndose como víctima en situaciones causadas por él mismo y con la audacia de decir: “Ningún ser humano había sido jamás tan desdichado como yo, y los horrores que me rodeaban no tenían comparación en el mundo.” Cinismo puro. Shelley, genia.
February 3, 2026
La forma en que a Frankenstein le sobrepasa su obra y se vuelve contra él parece una analogía premonitoria de lo que le sucederá a la propia Mary Shelley, que comienza su historia para contarla una noche y termina creando uno de los principales iconos de la mitología moderna, siendo en su desdicha cuando la novela se vuelve más famosa. Tiene una cadencia pausada que invita a leer sin prisa pero conforme se adentra en el nudo cuesta soltar el libro.
January 30, 2026
Che dire di questo libro meraviglioso. L'ho letto in edizione Minalima, e le illustrazioni meravigliose hanno accompagnato questa storia tragica.
Il senso di orrore e disperazione sono talmente tanto incisivi che li ho sentiti perfino io, e alla fine si arriva alla domanda: chi é davvero il mostro?
Un'opera straziante, ma bellissima
Il senso di orrore e disperazione sono talmente tanto incisivi che li ho sentiti perfino io, e alla fine si arriva alla domanda: chi é davvero il mostro?
Un'opera straziante, ma bellissima
July 17, 2026
This is a classic for a reason. I hadn’t read it since high school, so I appreciate the philosophical aspects even more now. More than just a warning against playing God and not interfering with nature, it gives lessons about prejudice, nature vs nurture, the value of life, and the need for companionship. So much to gather from this short novel. Mary Shelley was a genius.
January 31, 2026
Una historia trágica y reflexiva que se siente más intelectual que emocional. Aprecio su relevancia como clásico y las cuestiones que plantea, aunque la experiencia de lectura me resultó distante. ★★★½
February 13, 2026
Of monsters and men.
“Nothing is more painful to the human mind than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows and deprives the soul both of hope and fear.”
“Nothing is more painful to the human mind than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows and deprives the soul both of hope and fear.”
March 2, 2026
Reflexão sensacional sobre humanidade e criação. Eloquência que arrepia sem deixar escrachado. Alguns mecanismos de direcionamento narrativo me tiraram um pouco do enredo por breves segundos, mas no geral, Mary Shelley YOU'RE the favorite reference baby
March 23, 2026
3/5⭐️. No ha sido el peor libro que he leído ni mucho menos pero me decepcionó un poco con las expectativas que yo tenía. El principio se me hizo bastante lento pero luego mejora bastante y las ultimas 100 paginas me las leí del tirón. Muy contenta por leer el primer clásico del año :)
May 19, 2026
Cuando lo lees tiene una escritura completamente romántica que te engancha a seguir leyendo. La historia esta muy bien pero el personaje principal hace que tenga conflictos internos y me haga darle la razon al monstruo.
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