I have to admit that I very curious to see how Kenneth Oppel envisioned Victor Frankenstein as a sixteen year old. This book was so much more than a character study of a mad scientist in the making. In fact, I was totally blown away. As the story begins, the reader learns a lot about Victor's family life such as their social status, education, religious beliefs and moral values. Victor has a twin brother, Konrad, who is the elder by two minutes. They have a beautiful distant cousin Elizabeth, who has been living with them since she was five. The three are often accompanied by their close friend Henry Clerval. Life is idyllic at the Chateau Frankenstein, situated on Lake Geneva and the Sturmwald Forest. The friends thought that they knew all the secrets of the fortress and its dungeons until they discover the Dark Library (Biblioteka Obscura) with its ancient alchemy texts. It does not take long for Victor and Konrad's father to forbid them to use the library with its "corruption of knowledge". The major plot is revealed when Konrad contracts a life-threatening illness which doctors are unable to cure. Victor, Elizabeth and Henry return to the library to search for a book that will show them how to create the "Elixir of Life". The three friends enlist the help of an alchemist named Polidori to help them find the neccessary ingredients. Although the story begins with lighthearted action there soon becomes an underlying dark, brooding, sense of foreboding. Oppel writes in a style reminiscent of the 19th century which enhances the gothic atmosphere he created. However, it is in the characterisations that the author excels. Victor often sees himself as he watches Konrad. There is nothing that they won't do for one another , including risking their lives. It soon becomes apparent that although they are physically identical, Victor is wracked with insecurity over the fact that Konrad is slightly superior in many ways (physically academically and socially). Oppel does a fine job in portraying Victor's constant inner struggles with jealousy and guilt throughout the book. Elizabeth's character is also intriguing. Oppel describes her as being like a "feral cat" when she got angry as a seven year old. Victor can relate to this side of her nature in a way that Konrad cannot. At one point, during their search for the first ingredient of the elixir, Victor stated "I could still see the savage expression on her face. It should have repelled me , but it only attracted me". She is, of course, quite fearless as well. This makes things pretty tricky when Victor discovers that Elizabeth and Konrad are in love.....and finally realises that he is in love with her himself. Okay. I take everything I ever said about hating love triangles! Oppel skilfully uses this one to get us to question Victor's motives throughout the book. Scattered throughout the book is the underlying theme of science and religion that often accompanies the subject of alchemy - just as if he wasn't giving us enough to think about! This book meets my "it was amazing" checklist: 1. great plot and pacing 2. great characterisation 3. great atmoshphere 4. action, twists, turns, and several creepy scenes 5. suspense, secrets, hidden agendas This is not a book only for young adults. Old adults will love it too!
by Kenneth Oppel
Kerry's review
Jun 18, 12 · edit
bookshelves: young-adult, gothic, fantasy, horror
Read from June 11 to 17, 2012
I have to admit that I very curious to see how Kenneth Oppel envisioned Victor Frankenstein as a sixteen year old. This book was so much more than a character study of a mad scientist in the making. In fact, I was totally blown away.
As the story begins, the reader learns a lot about Victor's family life such as their social status, education, religious beliefs and moral values. Victor has a twin brother, Konrad, who is the elder by two minutes. They have a beautiful distant cousin Elizabeth, who has been living with them since she was five. The three are often accompanied by their close friend Henry Clerval. Life is idyllic at the Chateau Frankenstein, situated on Lake Geneva and the Sturmwald Forest. The friends thought that they knew all the secrets of the fortress and its dungeons until they discover the Dark Library (Biblioteka Obscura) with its ancient alchemy texts. It does not take long for Victor and Konrad's father to forbid them to use the library with its "corruption of knowledge".
The major plot is revealed when Konrad contracts a life-threatening illness which doctors are unable to cure. Victor, Elizabeth and Henry return to the library to search for a book that will show them how to create the "Elixir of Life". The three friends enlist the help of an alchemist named Polidori to help them find the neccessary ingredients.
Although the story begins with lighthearted action there soon becomes an underlying dark, brooding, sense of foreboding. Oppel writes in a style reminiscent of the 19th century which enhances the gothic atmosphere he created. However, it is in the characterisations that the author excels. Victor often sees himself as he watches Konrad. There is nothing that they won't do for one another , including risking their lives. It soon becomes apparent that although they are physically identical, Victor is wracked with insecurity over the fact that Konrad is slightly superior in many ways (physically academically and socially). Oppel does a fine job in portraying Victor's constant inner struggles with jealousy and guilt throughout the book.
Elizabeth's character is also intriguing. Oppel describes her as being like a "feral cat" when she got angry as a seven year old. Victor can relate to this side of her nature in a way that Konrad cannot. At one point, during their search for the first ingredient of the elixir, Victor stated "I could still see the savage expression on her face. It should have repelled me , but it only attracted me". She is, of course, quite fearless as well.
This makes things pretty tricky when Victor discovers that Elizabeth and Konrad are in love.....and finally realises that he is in love with her himself.
Okay. I take everything I ever said about hating love triangles! Oppel skilfully uses this one to get us to question Victor's motives throughout the book.
Scattered throughout the book is the underlying theme of science and religion that often accompanies the subject of alchemy - just as if he wasn't giving us enough to think about!
This book meets my "it was amazing" checklist:
1. great plot and pacing
2. great characterisation
3. great atmoshphere
4. action, twists, turns, and several creepy scenes
5. suspense, secrets, hidden agendas
This is not a book only for young adults. Old adults will love it too!