Frankenstein

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Genres: Classics, Horror, Fiction, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Gothic, School

90 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2017

About the author

Mary Shelley (née Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, often known as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, travel writer, and editor of the works of her husband, Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. She was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and the writer, philosopher, and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

Mary Shelley was taken seriously as a writer in her own lifetime, though reviewers often missed the political edge to her novels. After her death, however, she was chiefly remembered only as the wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley and as the author of Frankenstein. It was not until 1989, when Emily Sunstein published her prizewinning biography Mary Shelley: Romance and Reality, that a full-length scholarly biography analyzing all of Shelley's letters, journals, and works within their historical context was published.

The well-meaning attempts of Mary Shelley's son and daughter-in-law to "Victorianise" her memory through the censoring of letters and biographical material contributed to a perception of Mary Shelley as a more conventional, less reformist figure than her works suggest. Her own timid omissions from Percy Shelley's works and her quiet avoidance of public controversy in the later years of her life added to this impression.

The eclipse of Mary Shelley's reputation as a novelist and biographer meant that, until the last thirty years, most of her works remained out of print, obstructing a larger view of her achievement. She was seen as a one-novel author, if that. In recent decades, however, the republication of almost all her writings has stimulated a new recognition of its value. Her voracious reading habits and intensive study, revealed in her journals and letters and reflected in her works, is now better appreciated. Shelley's recognition of herself as an author has also been recognized; after Percy's death, she wrote about her authorial ambitions: "I think that I can maintain myself, and there is something inspiriting in the idea". Scholars now consider Mary Shelley to be a major Romantic figure, significant for her literary achievement and her political voice as a woman and a liberal.

Reviews

[Lisa]

you know - some books are classics for a reason. this definitely fits that bill.

frankenstein was never assigned to me in high school, or college, so when it was assigned to my kid i thought i’d read along.

since i’ve only been exposed to popular culture references man oh man was i surprised. this is such a tragic and sad book. and it is the monster that is likable and victor who is not. he came across as whiney and not a very reliable narrator [kiddo’s take and i rather agree]. but in the end i felt sorry for him as well.

so ahead of its time - the tragedy builds - and after all the death we are left to wonder if any of it was necessary if instead the monster had been embraced, nurtured, seen for what he actually was that none of it needed to happen. questions of humanity, scientific consciousness, class [especially poverty]… what actually makes someone of integrity? what do we make of those unlike ourselves? is it money, philosophy, kindness, education that makes one human/worthwhile?

[Wade Killough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to it on Audible. The narrator, Dan Stevens, was phenomenal in bringing a great story to life. The book was completely different than what I thought it would be.

[Dana-Adriana B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Varianta audiobook de la Bookster este interesanta, mi-au placut efectele audio. Nu am citit pana acum cartea doar am vizionat filmul.si intre ele sunt diferente notabile.
Tanarul Victor, copil rasfatat si egoist isi face un monstru pe post de jucarie, apoi, dandu-si seama de consecinte ii intoarce spatele sperand ca va disparea. Dar monstrul are sentimente si isi doreste mai mult de la viata asa ca ii cere lui Victor sa ii faca o consoarta. Toata situatia este complicata pemtru un moft febril al.unui tanar necalculat.

[anayunes7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Qué bello que está escrito este libro. La historia en sí es muy desgarradora pero, aparte de eso, me encantó cómo Mary Shelley describió de una manera tan tierna y profunda los sentimientos humanos, la superficialidad que conduce al mundo y la necesidad innata de afecto que envuelve a todas las personas. Me encantó.

[Arrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a popular one. I can definitely see why, for the strong concept and the writer being ahead of her time. But despite the good points of the story and its popularity, i honestly despise this book. We are introduced to this book as a book that follows the creation of a monster by a mad creator. Yet almost all of the book ignores the main concept, the main creation, going through Victor's boring life while we could have so many more amazing adventures with the creation and not the creator who is deeply annoying. Slow slow slow.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankenstein de Mary Shelley es definitivamente una obra literaria que trasciende épocas y temáticas. Aunque se cataloga como una historia de terror, hay de todo un poco en ella, desde existencialismo, psicología, conspiraciones ligadas a desventuras amorosas, geografía, turismo, entre otros temas. El foco de la novela es la trágica visión de túnel que el protagonista, Víctor Frankenstein, desarrolla al sumergirse en los estudios que tanto le apasionan. Su obsesión llega a tal extremo que decide desafiar a la misma naturaleza y crear su propio ser humano usando pedazos de cadáveres y técnicas científicas adquiridas durante la insaciable búsqueda de conocimiento que le embriagó tan pronto abandonó su hogar. El resultado le horrorizó (algo que su ceguera mental no pronosticó), huyendo de su creación y responsabilidad, algo que resultó perjudicial mucho después, tanto para él como para su familia.

Mención aparte sobre la fluidez con la que Shelley narra esta historia, me ha sorprendido su facilidad para crear antecedentes para los personajes secundarios que aparecen en los párrafos. Por ejemplo, la familia de Lacey y su relación con la misteriosa Safie se explica en unos capítulos que por instantes se sintió como una emocionante novela en su propia ley. Estoy seguro que la tragicomedia romántica que fue el encuentro inicial entre Félix y Safie, junto con los choques contra el traicionero padre de la chica habría sido un éxito en las librerías.

Disfruté bastante con los pasajes que hacían mención de lugares específicos en Europa que podrían servir como un formidable tour literario. La ruta de Frankenstein, si no se ha bautizado o llevado a cabo aún. Aunque me decepciona un poco que se describa de manera tan parca lo que Frankenstein hizo para darle vida a su monstruo (y a la potencial compañera del susodicho capítulos después), la novela me ha dejado muy satisfecho. En verdad, la obra de Mary Shelley es un clásico inmortal de la literatura mundial.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read this before and I have also never felt any urge to read this book, but here I am, having just finished reading it. I suppose it’s always good to read a “classic”.

I’ve just checked and Pride and Prejudice was written in 1796-1797 and Frankenstein was written in 1816, published 1818. This seems strange to me because I find Austen’s writing pretty easy to read and I found Shelley’s writing to be convoluted and inaccessible even though it was written 20 years later.
I thought the underlying ideas being explored were interesting ideas, such as just because you find a new technology, it doesn’t mean you need to immediately use it. Drone makers and nuclear bomb inventors should perhaps have be forced to read this as a cautionary tale.
The actual bones of the story were too dramatic and gothic for my tastes. Perhaps big dramatic gothic books were the fashion at the time of publishing? The details of the story were too ridiculous for me to take it seriously so I didn’t enjoy a lot of the reading experience. I actually felt sorry for the monster a lot of the time and didn’t understand why Frankenstein made so many bad choices in his dealing with him.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I (very unexpectedly) loved this!

Firstly, am I the only person in the world who always thought Frankenstein was the name of the monster?? when in fact, it's the name of the guy who created the creature.

Secondly, I had thought this was going to be a gory horror story but instead it's a thoughtful take on humanity.

Not sure I fully understand the whole Prometheus parallels but I truly loved the part narrated by the creature and even though he turns out to go on a murderous revenge side plot, I found myself having more compassion for his story than the whingeing protagonist Victor who spends the majority of the story making stupid comments and event stupider life choices.

[Katie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most beautiful book ever written . So descriptive, it evokes the characters perfectly.
Shelley is one of the best authors of our time.

[Étienne Giguère · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classique de la littérature anglaise, publié grâce à son mari de l'époque. Imaginez, elle a dû utiliser un pseudonyme pour publier ce roman, car les femmes n'avaient pas le droit d'être auteure. J'ai beaucoup aimé l'introspection des personnages en particulier de la créature qu'a créé Frankenstein, son rapport à la société, à la mort, à la beauté, aux classes sociales, etc. Beaucoup plus philosophique qu'on le pense ce récit. On est loin du monstre d'Halloween commercial ou des films d'action Hollywoodiens. Bref, bon récit et toujours d'actualité.

[Verlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

El frío
hormiguea, mancha, endurece, entumece
y como en el hielo permanecen pequeñas burbujas de aire
En la muerte permanecen aquellos sentimientos que no supimos liberar en vida
La desdicha carga inercia propulsada por fuerzas acorporeas
Por consiguiente

Es de mentes en pena buscar consuelo en algo tan penoso como la muerte.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, not a classic because of the film adaptations, this book is more deep than any idea I already had of the history

[Liz McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one for book club! Honestly I was kinda dragging my feet because I didn’t really care for the “Frankenstein” story that I knew. But this original version is a story I really enjoyed and never knew! It was twisted and pleasing in all sorts of ways…It’s making me wanna pull out all the old classics. It sort of gives dark Jane Austen vibes. Read it, you will get what I’m saying!

[Sara Trejos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Por ahora, tengo un profundo dolor y desasosiego.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Laura Ríos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is much more interesting than I expected, less about horror and more about loneliness, and the consequences of playing god. Sometimes if felt like the story was fast-forwarded, but the creature’s voice and emotions really stood out to me. Not a favorite, but definitely one that surprised me in a good way.

[Krista Harwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not what I expected. And not because I was one of those people who think the monster’s name is Frankenstein. But because I didn’t expect the entire thing to be a metaphor for depression (Just be happy Frankenstein, look at all the good things going on), anxiety, feelings of isolation, oppositional defiant disorder, and a whole host of mental health struggles. I didn’t know I would feel so much sympathy for “the monster”. I didn’t expect to relate to Victor Frankenstein: “In other studies you go as far as others have gone before you, and there is nothing more to know; but in a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder.” Who knew that it would issue a call to equanimity? “A human being in perfection ought to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility.” That it would explain the lifelong friendships I’ve maintained: “the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.” I didn’t know that in the last quarter of the book there would just be a literary tour of Europe. And damned if I thought it would be bookended by scenes at the North Pole. Also, not that scary.

[Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankenstein “Mery Shelley” 📖

Una historia que nunca había leído, tan solo había visto alguna peli o fragmentos de dibujos. Bien, si estabas como yo, olvida todo lo que has visto y lee este libro. No es para nada de terror, si no que lleva consigo una gran crítica y reflexiones atemporales.
Me ha conmovido y sorprendido mucho.
Está escrito en forma de cartas y de una forma exquisita, fácil y muy amena; donde se hace una gran crítica a los prejuicios.
Los monstruos no existen, los creamos nosotros.

Muy recomendado 📖💞

[Amy Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ certainly earns the title of the original piece of gothic literature. It explores themes such as life, death, morality, human consciousness, making it way ahead of its time.
It took some time for me to get into it, but I found the story of Frankenstein and his monster truly compelling. Told through both creator and creation’s point of view on this tragic tale. Neither narrator did I find to be reliable throughout, neither seeing their own faults, both finding it too easy to cast blame upon the other, but as the reader I found both characters to be quite similar.
The question of who was to blame for all the tragedy became a recurring theme in this story, and I can’t help but think that Shelley was trying to hold up a mirror to humanity, showing how we in society are the first to cast judgement upon those who are different, rather than looking inwards to the imperfections we all have. It could be argued that had the monster been loved, and received the compassion he desired, the events that took place could’ve been prevented, and Victor denying him this is what caused his own grief. Yet why does the monster choose violence and destruction to try and get what he wants, rather than show his “kind nature”? was he really the monster he’s made out to be, or is he just the product of his circumstance?
Shelley truly evokes the question: what makes us human, what makes us monster?

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fui ler esperando um terror clássico de monstrinho verde e um cientista maluco dizendo "está vivo!" e tomei uma crise existencial e muita tristeza.Assim como quase todo mundo,eu só tinha a visão hollywoodiana dessa obra e só tomei coragem para realmente ler o clássico de Mary Shelley esse ano.

Infelizmente,é realmente como dizem: não há obra cinematográfica que ainda tenha realizado o feito de interpretar de maneira certa Frankenstein.Chorei lendo a parte em que ele descobre o mundo e chorei mais ainda quando a sua matança teve fim.

Agora sim eu entendi o porquê desse livro ser considerado um clássico e a Mary Shelley,uma diva.

[Adriana B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic for a reason. This book is incredible.

I've lived my whole life thinking Frankenstein was the name of the monster. It's not. This book presents an interesting moral dilemma and explores human emotions in depth. It truly moved me, and I highlighted half of it.

It's so poetic, and every word is such a delight to read. It made me feel embarrassed for the way we express ourselves nowadays. We've definitely lost brain cells.

I'm happy I owned a physical copy of this book so I could annotate it. Definitely thought-provoking and easy to get through. I highly recommend it as an introduction to classics.

[Vanessa Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claramente no es una historia de terror y me encantó! me parecieron maravillosas las reflexiones del monstruo, creo que es un libro que nos hace pensar en las consecuencias de nuestros actos y Mary Shelley tiene una forma muy muy linda de escribir por eso es el clásico que es. Me entusiasma que con la peli de Guillermo este libro de hace tantos siglos agarre hype otra vez :)

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st read of 2026. An impressive work, especially considering the author was 19 at the time of writing it. By the end, I had very little patience with Frankenstein and certainly did not feel sorry for him. He created a monster but never had the courage to do what he needed to do.

[Filomena P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one word: absolute masterpiece.
A must-read definitely.

[Cael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic I enjoyed? Unheard of

[Luke Tompkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a challenging read due to the time of publication, the emotional connections you feel for the beast are quite strong. Thought provoking and makes you ask yourself, who is the monster

[Léa B]

Listened on audiobook !

[Andrea Rodríguez Zavala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro excelente que realmente vale la pena leerse este clásico.

[Coco · Rating 2 out of 5]

ah non sapevo che il mostro di Frankenstein avesse studiato al CEPU

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

entiendo el punto del libro pero como tenía tantas expectativas me ha defraudado un poco
mi conclusión no es algo nuevo porque yo ya sabía que el problema siempre es un hombre