Etienne ’s Reviews > The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein > Status Update

I appreciate the author’s willingness to write about gender/ class privilege, as well as child abuse, but the plot is moving so slowly. Something needs to happen.

You're a good way into the story! I'm surprised the plot hasn't picked up. Fingers crossed! 🤞 It sounds like it has some good substance, though. 😊 What do you think of the author's voice? Of Elizabeth's characterization?

The author’s voice is excellent. It’s the voice for those who are struggling to survive in the world, those unwanted and abused. And Elizabeth is a survivor ; she became the person that people want and need so that she could survive. It will be interesting to see what the tacit arrangement between Elizabeth and the Frankenstein’s is costing and will cost her for that sanctuary. Very clever of the author to do this in a YA retelling of a famous story.

“Became the person that people want and need so that she could survive,” that’s heartbreaking. 💔 Can see why that’d work well in a YA retelling, though, and be powerful! Given the ending of Shelley’s book, it sounds like this retelling might be in defense of Elizabeth’s strengths? Like she wasn’t supposed to just be a passive victim – it’s wonderful that she’s being written as a survivor. ❤ I’m curious about that arrangement, too!

It is heartbreaking that she has to please people just to live there. Everyone, but especially children, are entitled to a safe place to live - but the unfairness of class, gender, and age has conspired against Elizabeth and her friend Justine ( the governess) . Her job is to keep Victor calm, but it’s a job that is taking a toll on her.
Yes, passive victim she is not. She’s actually rather heroic in her dedication to Victor, despite her not being an actual family member.

Oh no, her worth shouldn't be dependent on her usefulness to her adopted family. 💔 It sounds like a lot of emotional labor for Elizabeth – and very gendered, very exploitative of her situation – though it’s great that her friendship with Justine is being explored! 😊 Why is it her job to keep Victor calm? How is he portrayed in the book?

Victor as a child was dark, moody, prone to outbursts, etc. Elizabeth was brought in as a companion in the hopes that she could settle his stormy fits down. Elizabeth was all for it, to escape an abusive mother and poverty. She was getting her material needs met by the Frankensteins, but nothing else. Like a business contract. Yes, the gendered exploitative nature of the arrangement is taking a toll. The author is using the story as a vehicle to explore issues of child abuse, gender inequality, class and gender privilege, It’s nothing new, the greatest probably being Jane Eyre, but it’s a fresh approach using the years before Mary’s famous narrative to give voice.

Unfortunately, that sounds very realistic, having a girl help a boy manage his negative emotions -- that's not healthy for either one of them. But it's a shame Elizabeth couldn't be a kid with a normal, healthy childhood -- can understand why she'd take it over being destitute and trapped with an abusive mother. So she's not really part of the family? Love that the author is doing that -- yes, definitely "Jane Eyre!" goes there! But this still sounds amazing and original. 😊