Frankenstein – Review

I recently read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for the first time, then realized I had never read Frankenstein either. I bought it awhile ago and finally got around to reading it. Its a deserved classic, and there are some great things about this book and some disappointing things, all unexpected.

Some of things I was surprised by include the story itself. Very involved in literary history, quotes many authors. Frankenstein’s monster is a sympathetic creation in a lot of ways. By the end of part 2, where the monster tells his own story, you start to feel sorry for him. Great story that casts light on sin, humanity, religion, and what life is. It is not a book that will really scare you, but it will make you think.

Some things I was disappointed in include the coincidences that occur. A story written like this today would never work . . . but it was fine for its era. The monster finding Victor’s home based on some loose directions overheard from a French family is at best a stretch. The book drags in a few places as well for modern readers, but you are rewarded for pushing through it.

All in all, a well deserved classic that is a worthy read. The fact that Mary Shelley wrote this at 19 is astounding and humbling. Note that the Penguin Deluxe edition is NOT a comic book. It has an illustrated cover, no graphics inside.

Highly Recommended.