What do you think?
Rate this book
The Frankenstein Adventures
This is the story of Frankenstein told from the vantage point of Igor, the bumbling, brave boy who will risk everything to save his master’s flawed creation. Hilarious and heartwarming – this is a book that will make you stand up and cheer one minute and fall down laughing the next. Igor’s heart is in the right place even though parts of his body aren’t. He is a loveable, lopsided fellow who has more courage and strength than any of the adults who look down on him. When things go wrong with his boss’s “experiment,” Igor sees it as his duty to save the day – even though most days he is the one who needs saving. Our hilarious hero has to overcome enormous odds on his mission to rescue the most important achievement in human history – the creation of life. Follow Igor on his amazing adventure to prove that he is more than just a not-so-pretty face. This book is being released in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the original Frankenstein’s first publication.
- GenresMiddle Grade
166 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2018
2 people want to read
About the author
Bil Richardson
12 books45 followersBil Richardson – A Few Things You Might Want to Know
Most people want you to be just one thing, but unfortunately I’m not. I work in many genres, many media and many voices. I’m an award-winning filmmaker, an artist, playwright, poet and author. I do humor, horror, poetry, history and more. I create work that is serious, uplifting and explores important questions and I do things that are just pure entertainment. Some of the things I’ve done have been deep and thoughtful, and some just plain silly and fun. If there is a unifying thread, it is that I am a storyteller. And one of the main functions of stories is to aid us in making sense of the world. Stories help us deal with things we are frightened of - whether that’s a creature in the night or death. Stories also help us deal with the cares of life by understanding them or just being distracted from them. Our lives are varied and complex. At times we are happy or sad, challenged or victorious, high or low. So it is not surprising that the things we create should reflect that complexity and diversity. That’s how it is with me. Now if you want information on some of my specific accomplishments then just keep on a readin’.
As a filmmaker I’ve produced feature films, documentaries, commercials and TV series. I’ve appeared on numerous national TV shows including CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning, American Pickers, Nat Geo’s Diggers, Discovery Networks’ Blood Feuds and America: Fact or Fiction and the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum. My films have been used as teaching tools at such prestigious universities as UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and Marquette, and are part of the U.S. Library of Congress holdings. I’ve been quoted in the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, London Times and hundreds of other newspapers. I’ve published fiction and non-fiction through Random House and other companies. I’ve been a featured speaker nationally and internationally. My work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and I’ve done covers for books, magazines, movies and graphic novels. I’ve even appeared onscreen in four internationally distributed feature films.
Most people want you to be just one thing, but unfortunately I’m not. I work in many genres, many media and many voices. I’m an award-winning filmmaker, an artist, playwright, poet and author. I do humor, horror, poetry, history and more. I create work that is serious, uplifting and explores important questions and I do things that are just pure entertainment. Some of the things I’ve done have been deep and thoughtful, and some just plain silly and fun. If there is a unifying thread, it is that I am a storyteller. And one of the main functions of stories is to aid us in making sense of the world. Stories help us deal with things we are frightened of - whether that’s a creature in the night or death. Stories also help us deal with the cares of life by understanding them or just being distracted from them. Our lives are varied and complex. At times we are happy or sad, challenged or victorious, high or low. So it is not surprising that the things we create should reflect that complexity and diversity. That’s how it is with me. Now if you want information on some of my specific accomplishments then just keep on a readin’.
As a filmmaker I’ve produced feature films, documentaries, commercials and TV series. I’ve appeared on numerous national TV shows including CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning, American Pickers, Nat Geo’s Diggers, Discovery Networks’ Blood Feuds and America: Fact or Fiction and the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum. My films have been used as teaching tools at such prestigious universities as UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and Marquette, and are part of the U.S. Library of Congress holdings. I’ve been quoted in the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, London Times and hundreds of other newspapers. I’ve published fiction and non-fiction through Random House and other companies. I’ve been a featured speaker nationally and internationally. My work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and I’ve done covers for books, magazines, movies and graphic novels. I’ve even appeared onscreen in four internationally distributed feature films.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 5, 2018
I’m not a big fan of horror and things like Frankenstein but when I saw this book with the note "Celebrating Frankenstein's 200th Anniversary" and a low price I purchased it.
The story is simple. A geeky scientist named Victor Frankenstein lives with his wife & a misshapen boy, Igor. As a scientist, Victor's work is his devotion. He belongs to a family of ill repute and his work has made him an outcast to his village. His life's goal is to create life. After years of experimenting he succeeds but the creation runs away the moment it opens its eyes. Victor and Igor both make the mistake of not following the creation - and that is how misfortune falls upon him. The creation (who later names himself Frank) meets very few good people, and most consider him a monster. Later he is re-united with his creator. Victor’s life is made more difficult when his old competitor/foe does something sinister. But you’ll have to read the story learn more about that.
The book is written for Middle Grade and I think word selection and language usage is done wisely for the audience. Also, the length of the book is also adequate for the targeted age.
There is a good amount of thrills, action, and adventure in the story, but the author's main focus is to touch human nature and show its good and bad side. Though Frankenstein was created with a criminal's brain he became good due to the good people he met on his journey. And though his counterpart Angfang was created with a Nobel prize winner's brain, he was influenced by a sinister person and became evil. I think such hidden messages are delivered to kids without making them bored because it is such a cute story.
Detailed Review Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2018/...
Author Interview Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2018/...
The story is simple. A geeky scientist named Victor Frankenstein lives with his wife & a misshapen boy, Igor. As a scientist, Victor's work is his devotion. He belongs to a family of ill repute and his work has made him an outcast to his village. His life's goal is to create life. After years of experimenting he succeeds but the creation runs away the moment it opens its eyes. Victor and Igor both make the mistake of not following the creation - and that is how misfortune falls upon him. The creation (who later names himself Frank) meets very few good people, and most consider him a monster. Later he is re-united with his creator. Victor’s life is made more difficult when his old competitor/foe does something sinister. But you’ll have to read the story learn more about that.
The book is written for Middle Grade and I think word selection and language usage is done wisely for the audience. Also, the length of the book is also adequate for the targeted age.
There is a good amount of thrills, action, and adventure in the story, but the author's main focus is to touch human nature and show its good and bad side. Though Frankenstein was created with a criminal's brain he became good due to the good people he met on his journey. And though his counterpart Angfang was created with a Nobel prize winner's brain, he was influenced by a sinister person and became evil. I think such hidden messages are delivered to kids without making them bored because it is such a cute story.
Detailed Review Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2018/...
Author Interview Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2018/...
November 29, 2018
The horror story of a lifetime, Frankenstein has brought chills to readers for centuries and has influenced numerous other spooky stories. So in honor of the original story’s 200th anniversary, why not bring that story to life for the kids (pun intended)?!
Assuming that parents are already vividly aware of the story of Frankenstein and are okay with their kiddos reading this type of content (violence, spooks, etc), then I would say that The Frankenstein Adventures accomplished its goal to recreate the story in a new, and funny, way for a Middle Grade audience.
I had picked up this book expecting a very diluted version of Frankenstein, and while there are many details left out (as well as added), this story was not as watered-down as I had expected. Some of the action actually gets very intense (for this age group) and there are in fact brutal deaths that are semi-detailed, just as with the original. It is void of any cursing, though small words such as “heck” and “dang-it” are used throughout the story, but there is no sexual content whatsoever.
I also liked that this story was not near as depressing as the original. Kids will be able to grasp the intended emotions from Frankenstein’s monster without the dark heaviness that comes with the entirety of the original classic. There are puns to cause giggles, wacky names, and silly characters that really lighten the book, and a much happier ending 😉
Overall, The Frankenstein Adventures is a perfect book to hand your kiddo if you’re wanting to introduce Shelley’s classic story, but they’re not quite ready for the full version. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it especially to home-schoolers!
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
Assuming that parents are already vividly aware of the story of Frankenstein and are okay with their kiddos reading this type of content (violence, spooks, etc), then I would say that The Frankenstein Adventures accomplished its goal to recreate the story in a new, and funny, way for a Middle Grade audience.
I had picked up this book expecting a very diluted version of Frankenstein, and while there are many details left out (as well as added), this story was not as watered-down as I had expected. Some of the action actually gets very intense (for this age group) and there are in fact brutal deaths that are semi-detailed, just as with the original. It is void of any cursing, though small words such as “heck” and “dang-it” are used throughout the story, but there is no sexual content whatsoever.
I also liked that this story was not near as depressing as the original. Kids will be able to grasp the intended emotions from Frankenstein’s monster without the dark heaviness that comes with the entirety of the original classic. There are puns to cause giggles, wacky names, and silly characters that really lighten the book, and a much happier ending 😉
Overall, The Frankenstein Adventures is a perfect book to hand your kiddo if you’re wanting to introduce Shelley’s classic story, but they’re not quite ready for the full version. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it especially to home-schoolers!
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
October 24, 2018
My Review: I was sent a complimentary copy of The Frankenstein Adventures by the author, the following is my honest review." When Bil Richardson contacted me regarding this book, I jumped at the opportunity. I am a huge fan of the original work by Mary Shelley and love reading new adaptations. This one is meant for a middle grade audience but I love how it is written to appeal to that audience, especially reluctant readers, but it is still very enjoyable as an adult. If you are looking for a close re-telling of the original story with only a twist or two, this is not the book for you, this one takes some of the original characters and a few events from the original story and adds a whole lot more to the story. I loved the addition of Igor to the story and his perspective, he is loyal and kind, hard working and takes things very literal. The story kicks off with a very entertaining scene with him and Victor Frankenstein, and it sets a fun tone to the story with a comical element that will really attract young boys who haven't found their book yet. The story takes us on quite a journey but the main theme throughout falls back to the support and loyalty of friends and family and choosing between right and wrong. This was definitely a fun story that I really enjoyed.
May 16, 2019
The blurb is slightly misleading, and while there is truth that Igor does set out the save his master’s creation, the story is not entirely his as the third person perspective offers insight into many different characters, new and old. While it is a retelling of the traditional Frankenstein story, Richardson takes it further and it becomes a story about family, friendship, and discovering the monsters of the world are not the most obvious.
The writing is straightforward but weave a detailed and in-depth story. The tone is one kids will love; Igor and the other characters are funny, there’s snark and drama and puns, and seeing the domestic side of Frankenstein brings in all the scary, gross, fun kids will love. Where Richardson shines is that while it is light-hearted and silly, there is also heart and warmth.
The first part of the narrative retells the original story with a few extra twists and characters to get to know. We follow Frankenstein’s monster as he flees the castle, we see locals as they hunt after him, and we follow the angst of Igor and his master as they work out what to do. From there we see the story continues through the eyes of various characters as the story moves into one of friendship, jealously, and drama.
The tone is suitable for the intended age group but there is no hiding from the scientific methods or descriptions either. We know Frank is burned, with scars and the traditional story is but a lot of the elements are there about violence too. The characters are sweet and endearing once the story gets going and you see the emotion and their misguided goodness. The violent side is restrained but regular but you see the good versus evil in each altercation and know who the bad guys are.
Richardson demonstrates that Frank (as he’s named himself) is not the real monster, nor is Frankenstein either. There are messages in there about kindness and being a friend and how monsters are made by people and what blind judgement can do. There is also a fantastic message about what makes a family. A great story for kids to enjoy where they can experience the Frankenstein story without delving right into Shelley’s horror masterpiece.
This review was published on my blog Lost in a Good Book
The writing is straightforward but weave a detailed and in-depth story. The tone is one kids will love; Igor and the other characters are funny, there’s snark and drama and puns, and seeing the domestic side of Frankenstein brings in all the scary, gross, fun kids will love. Where Richardson shines is that while it is light-hearted and silly, there is also heart and warmth.
The first part of the narrative retells the original story with a few extra twists and characters to get to know. We follow Frankenstein’s monster as he flees the castle, we see locals as they hunt after him, and we follow the angst of Igor and his master as they work out what to do. From there we see the story continues through the eyes of various characters as the story moves into one of friendship, jealously, and drama.
The tone is suitable for the intended age group but there is no hiding from the scientific methods or descriptions either. We know Frank is burned, with scars and the traditional story is but a lot of the elements are there about violence too. The characters are sweet and endearing once the story gets going and you see the emotion and their misguided goodness. The violent side is restrained but regular but you see the good versus evil in each altercation and know who the bad guys are.
Richardson demonstrates that Frank (as he’s named himself) is not the real monster, nor is Frankenstein either. There are messages in there about kindness and being a friend and how monsters are made by people and what blind judgement can do. There is also a fantastic message about what makes a family. A great story for kids to enjoy where they can experience the Frankenstein story without delving right into Shelley’s horror masterpiece.
This review was published on my blog Lost in a Good Book
December 15, 2018
The story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster is well known, and has been adapted in many different ways since it was published 200 years ago. Bil Richardson has now written a new take on that story, one aimed more towards middle schoolers, which is almost as entertaining as the original. Victor Frankenstein, along with his trusted sidekick Igor, are wanting to make life. They have a stitched together body, but they need a brain. Igor will do anything to help his beloved master, and friend, including buying a ex-convict's brain. Once they've created this life, their own lives are forever changed. This version includes a nemesis for Victor who is competing to be the first and only one known for creating life. It also gives the monster (known here as Frank) a friend in an old blind man. I liked these additions, especially giving Frank a friend which helped humanize him and show that he could be more than some heartless creature. I think this book is a great way to introduce younger readers to the story of Frankenstein, though be warned there is violence and some death though mostly "off screen." I rated this book four stars.
June 25, 2019
Remarkable remake
Richardson pens a wonderfully humorous story in The Frankenstein Adventures. The age old Frankenstein monster story is brought back, but this time, for young children (or young at heart as well). I enjoyed this story, and I like how it was written from Igor's point of view. It is not a revamped Frankenstein story, but there are pieces that are pulled from the original story, and brought into a twisty and interesting story, while bringing the reader on a wondrous journey. There is more to the story and I think this was a great read. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Richardson pens a wonderfully humorous story in The Frankenstein Adventures. The age old Frankenstein monster story is brought back, but this time, for young children (or young at heart as well). I enjoyed this story, and I like how it was written from Igor's point of view. It is not a revamped Frankenstein story, but there are pieces that are pulled from the original story, and brought into a twisty and interesting story, while bringing the reader on a wondrous journey. There is more to the story and I think this was a great read. I look forward to reading more by this author.
October 14, 2018
It's my book so I can't really review it but if you're looking for a funny, action packed story that you will love just as much as your child then give this a try. This is a perfect bonding experience that will bring you closer and have you both hurrying to turn the next page. Or if you're looking for something to get your kid to fall in love with reading all over again then this might be just the ticket.
I wrote this book because I became the stepfather of a son who didn't like to read. As a writer and lover of books I felt like I had to do something about that. My goal was to write something that was so fast and funny that you can't put it down. I think your child will love it too.
I wrote this book because I became the stepfather of a son who didn't like to read. As a writer and lover of books I felt like I had to do something about that. My goal was to write something that was so fast and funny that you can't put it down. I think your child will love it too.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews