Frankenstein [EasyRead Edition]

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is an epistolary novel, told through letters and diary entries.

The story unfolds in first-person narration from three perspectives: Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature.

Chapter lengths vary widely, ranging from brief to over twenty pages, and the pacing leans moderate to slow. One problem I had with this book was the agonizingly endless description of Rivers, flowers, rocks, mountain tops, And the weather. I don't see the point of telling it in that extensive length. It's not a book about hiking and nature appreciation after all.

It had a great idea for a sci-fi plot. The book is categorised as gothic horror but it didn't feel that way to me. Themes of loneliness, ambition, and revenge run throughout, with the Creature’s tragic arc leaving the strongest impression. There's also philosophical weight that goes with the plot.

The central focus is on Victor and his Creature. Ironically, the most compelling character is the one who isn’t human. The Creature is written with striking emotional depth, while Elizabeth Lavenza feels underdeveloped by comparison.

I read the original 1818 edition and i’m curious to see what changes the revised edition has to offer.

I loved the story, I just hated the book. Ok, let me rephrase. I loved the plot, the overall concept, the characters, the sub-stories that take place. They were all fun. I hated how long it was. It could have been written in ½ or less of the length seen here. So much of the book is just the main character talking about his inner feelings repeatedly and with only the slightest variation.

If it weren't for that (feeling it was dragged out), I'd give it 3-4 stars. Not 5 stars, because I found the main character unbelievably helpless and lacking in any planning capability. I don't just mean in the obvious reaction to Frankenstein about taking responsibility for your creations, but the fact that he's told repeatedly what his adversary's actions will be. Instead, Frankenstein plans zilch and then is devastated when his adversary follows through exactly as promised. Come on.

Of course, I think some of these things are just the book being from 1818, so I'm guessing if I'd have read it then, I'd have enjoyed it 5-stars much.

I so hate Hollywood for ruining this book for me. I could not read it without any imagery from the films leaking into my head.

Maybe in a few years I could come back to it and read it once again without the taint.