Igor: A Comic Adventure

by Emerson Littlefield

210 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2026

About the author

I’m a retired high school and college English teacher who now writes full time. My books mostly fall into two categories: murder mysteries and re-tellings of ancient myths and legends. The mysteries follow a deputy sheriff named Denise “Midge” Sumpter in a small, rural northern Florida county called Wassahatchka. The re-tellings of ancients myths and legends include novels told in memoir form written by Polyphemus, the Cyclops of legend; Helen of Troy; Asterion, the Minotaur of ancient myth; and a real historical figure, Xanthippe, the wife of Socrates. In a similar vein, I’ve written a comic tale called Igor, which follows the adventures of Igor, the laboratory assistant to Victor Frankenstein. My most recent completed book is called 2062, a future vision.

Reviews

[Sloan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Igor expecting a playful take on the Frankenstein story, and it ended up being even more entertaining than I expected. Igor's dry sense of humor is what really makes the book work, especially when he's quietly questioning Victor Frankenstein's theories while secretly wondering whether another failed experiment means chicken will be on the dinner table again. I also enjoyed the early scenes where Victor explains Volta's battery and his belief that electricity is the "vital principle," while Igor listens politely despite his doubts. Rolf's silent, imposing presence adds another layer of comedy, especially when he's stuck hauling animals and putting up with Igor's constant teasing. The mix of Gothic science, witty dialogue, and unexpected food jokes gives this story its own unique charm. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys humorous retellings of classic stories, clever characters, and a fresh spin on the Frankenstein legend. It was a fun read from beginning to end.

[Blake Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great time reading Igor. What I enjoyed most was Igor himself because he's clever, sarcastic, and somehow always thinking about his next meal, even while helping Victor Frankenstein with impossible experiments. I laughed when he mistook the plucked chicken for dinner instead of a laboratory subject and kept imagining butter, gravy, and roasted chicken while Frankenstein talked about Volta's battery and Galvani's theories. The scenes with the giant butler Rolf, the failed attempts to revive chickens, and Igor convincing Frankenstein to switch to experimenting on a pig named Charcuterie added plenty of humor without taking away from the story. It's a fun and creative retelling that gives Igor a personality all his own, and I found myself smiling all the way through.

[Spencer Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this book was the chemistry between Igor, Victor Frankenstein, and Rolf. Igor's sarcastic inner thoughts had me laughing, especially when Victor was completely focused on bringing dead creatures back to life while Igor was busy imagining roast chicken with butter and herbs. The repeated experiments with Volta's battery, the discussions about Galvani's discoveries, and Igor's clever suggestion to try a pig instead of another chicken made the story feel fresh and entertaining. Even with all the humor, the friendship and growing trust between the characters kept me invested. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy witty dialogue, classic monster stories, and characters with plenty of personality.

[Gertrud Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting this book to be so funny. Igor's narration immediately won me over, especially when he keeps thinking more about roasted chicken, butter, and gravy than Dr. Victor Frankenstein's grand experiments. His first meeting with Frankenstein outside the apothecary, the conversations about Volta's battery and Galvani's discoveries, and his constant sarcastic observations made me smile throughout the story. I also enjoyed the interactions with the quiet Rolf, who has no patience for Igor's jokes. The blend of science, humor, and classic Gothic atmosphere makes this a really entertaining take on the Frankenstein legend.

[Christopher Theophilus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and original take on the Frankenstein story. I liked that the book is told through Igor's point of view because his observations make even the laboratory scenes entertaining. Small moments, like Victor insisting on keeping every experiment secret, Rolf silently putting up with Igor's jokes, and Igor naming the pig "Charcuterie," gave the story a lot of charm. The mix of scientific curiosity, dry humor, and Gothic atmosphere kept me turning the pages, and I was always curious to see what crazy experiment would come next. I'd happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a lighthearted adventure with memorable characters and a clever twist on a classic tale.

[Taryn Elcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how different *Igor* feels from the usual Frankenstein story. Igor's personality makes the book especially fun, from his constant thoughts about cooking to the way he quietly mocks Victor's theories while still helping with the experiments. The failed chicken experiments, Victor's huge battery stack, and Igor's decision to suggest a pig because he was already imagining pork chops and sausages were some of my favorite details. Rolf also made me laugh with his serious, silent personality and the amount of work Igor manages to get him to do. It's a clever and entertaining read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes humorous twists on classic stories.

[Mike Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes *Igor* so enjoyable is the little things scattered throughout the story. I laughed at Igor describing his different chicken recipes while Victor was focused on discovering the secret of electricity and reanimation. His conversation with Victor about whether a pig might have more "vital" energy than a chicken was hilarious, especially once poor Rolf had to help carry the two-hundred-pound Landrace pig up the stairs. Even the name Igor gives the pig, Charcuterie, fits his personality perfectly. The story has plenty of Gothic atmosphere, but the humor keeps it light and unpredictable. Definitely worth recommending if you want a fun, unusual take on Frankenstein.