The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge discussion

The votes are in, and our October Buddy Read winner is…
💀 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley! ⚡️

First published in 1818, this groundbreaking Gothic novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist whose obsessive pursuit of knowledge leads him to create life, only to recoil from the result. Shelley’s tale of creation and consequence is often called the first true work of science fiction, but it’s also a deeply human exploration of isolation, ambition, and what it means to be monstrous.

Whether you’re experiencing it for the first time or revisiting with fresh eyes, this is the place to share your reactions, theories, and thoughts as we make our way through Shelley’s dark and stormy masterpiece.

🔖 A few ideas to spark conversation:

• Do you see Victor as a tragic visionary or a reckless villain?
• How does Shelley play with the idea of “creator and creation"; who’s truly the monster here?
• What do you think the novel says about scientific ambition and moral responsibility?
• The Creature’s voice: sympathetic, manipulative, or something in between?
• How does the novel’s structure (stories within stories) shape your reading experience?

Hop in whenever you’d like—spoiler tags are encouraged if you’re ahead. Grab your lanterns and your moral compasses… it’s time to wander into the storm with Frankenstein this October. ⚡️🕯️💀

Frankenstein is one of my favorite books! I wasn't planning on reading it again, but it's spooky season and there's a new movie coming out, so I might as well!

I am excited about the new Guillermo del Toro adaptation.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franken...

I haven’t been active here but loved the last read, Jane Eyre. And I am loving Frankenstein even more. Yes I’m already reading it so it being this month’s book club read even better. So much to discuss

I’m so glad that Frankenstein was picked! I started reading it for a first time two days ago and for now - all I want to do is read m, read and read. So excited to know different perspectives on the story! :)

Oh I wish I could read Frankenstein for the first time again ! It's one my favorite book ! I won't read it again now, I think I will read the strange case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde instead :-)

On chapter 5 now, the attitude towards “natural science” was actually quite accurate for that time period, the occultist science that was often a result of religiosity vs. the “modern science” of the enlightenment (waking up from religious dogma). Love it so far! I liken the theme so far to that of AI, creating a monster without regards to ethics.

I've loved this book. The writing shows so much sensibility and the characters (specially the monster) make you feel empathy towards them. It was a little bit sad but I enjoyed every page.

Gary wrote: "I liken the theme so far to that of AI, creating a monster without regards to ethics."

This is a nice comparison Gary and an interesting way to look at it.

Enjoying reading Frankenstein for my very first time.. Had no idea it would be such an interesting read. Not very far into it yet ( chapter 3 ), but what fantastic writing.
Cindy

Just got past the creations narrative about what happened after killing Frankenstein’s baby brother. I thought it was supposed to be a scary story but the “monster” seems more human than some people I know even in real life. Frankenstein seems more monster than his creation. The creation is a child that has been rejected by the world, what would you expect to happen? Shelley truly was ahead of her time, this was before behavioural psychology was even a thing I believe, although I’m sure there were ideas floating around about it.

Shelley was clearly a very intuitive and intelligent woman.