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Anonymous user: Nowhere near as bad as many silly reviews would have you believe. Countless changes of the novel, but the spirit, the basic story and the essence of the characters are retained. Actually improved. The movie's more Gothic and more horror, for one (or two) thing(s). More dramatic and more tightly plotted, too. Excellent cast and production design.… (more)
Nickelini: Written within a year of each other, Hoffmann's The Sandman and Shelley's Frankenstein both feature man-made beings. And both have been adapted beyond recognition.
JenniferRobb: In both cases creations are brought to life by lightning. Baldacci's is better for the younger set (ages 7-10) while Frankenstein can be enjoyed by many ages.
I'm redoing my review of this because finally, after had read the original 1818 text during the summer of 2022, I have purchased my own copy of Frankenstein. The edition I purchased for myself is the 1984 reprinting by Pennyroyal Press, ISBN 0520201795. This edition contains drawings by Barry Moser, and the text itself is split into three volumes. I'm excited to start reading this new version. I think that it will be as exciting as the first time I read it. ( )
With so many popular take-offs of the Frankenstein story floating around, the original tale turned out to be different than I expected. Mary Shelley does an excellent job of communicating the shifting emotions of characters; coloring their horrors and delights in great detail. I was taken off-guard by the intelligent communication of the monster, how quickly it seemed he educated himself in the ways of humanity through observation. The story was a mixture of dreadful events and hopeful dreams and gestures of both hate and love--all ultimately shattered by a self-made monster. After such a prolonged chase, the ending seemed abrupt for my taste. However, I find this abrupt closure to be common among many older fairytales. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much. ( )
This LATW production benefitted immensely by Stacy Keach's gravely reading of the monster. It refrained from what many other productions have done in aping the cinematic incarnations of an ill spoken monster and a dilemma of science going too far, instead taking from the book the well spoken creation struggling with his own existence, with loneliness and rejection, and a creator who turns against him. ( )
another book that surprised me. The end got really philisophical, which was a little different, but was still a fun little spooky read. I'm glad I gave this one a shot! ( )
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me? —Paradise Lost, x, 743-5
Dedication
TO WILLIAM GODWIN Author of Political Justice, Caleb Williams, &c. THESE VOLUMES Are respectfully inscribed by THE AUTHOR
First words
To Mrs Saville, England. St. Petersburgh, Dec. 11th, 17—. You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings.
The event on which this fiction is founded has been supposed, by Dr. Darwin, and some of the physiological writers of Germany, as not of impossible occurrence. - preface by P.B. Shelley
Author's Introduction: The publishers of the Standard Novels, in selecting Frankenstein for one of their series, expressed a wish that I should furnish them with some account of the origin on the story. (Author's Introduction to the Standard Novels Edition (1831))
Quotations
“ I had admired the perfect form of my cottagers—their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions: but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool . . . and when I was convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification.”
"I will be with you on your wedding night!"
It was the wretch, the filthy daemon to whom I had given life!
"I have lately been so engaged in one occupation that I have not allowed myself sufficient rest. But I hope that all those employments are now at an end, and that I am at length free."
I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me.
"Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?"
Even where the affections are not strongly moved by any superior excellence, the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.
Last words
He was soon borne away by the waves and lost in darkness and distance.
‘‘But soon,’’ he cried with sad and solemn enthusiasm, ‘‘I shall die, and what I now feel be no longer felt. Soon these burning miseries will be extinct. I shall ascend my funeral pile triumphantly, and exult in the agony of the torturing flames. The light of that conflagration will fade away; my ashes will be swept into the sea by the winds. My spirit will sleep in peace; or if it thinks, it will not surely think thus. Farewell.’’ He sprang from the cabin window, as he said this, upon the ice raft which lay close to the vessel. He was soon borne away by the waves, and lost in darkness and distance.
A monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator.
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Book description
Frankenstein was published in 1818, the work of a 21-year-old genius named Mary Shelley. Hundreds of movies, adaptations, and monster masks later, its reputation remains so lively that the title has become its own word in the English language. Victor Frankenstein, a scientist, discovers the secret of reanimating the dead. After he rejects his hideous creation, not even the farthest poles of the earth will keep his bitter monster from seeking an inhuman revenge. Inspired by a uniquely Romantic view of science’s possibilities, Shelley’s masterpiece ultimately wrestles with the hidden shadows of the human mind.
About the author:
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born in London in 1797, the daughter of well-known intellectuals. She married the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1816 and spent much of her adulthood in continental Europe, surrounded by her friends in the English Romantic Movement. Her tumultuous life included the loss of three children in infancy and her husband’s death by drowning in 1822. Nevertheless, her contributions to English literature continue to fascinate and inspire readers and artists alike.
Three narratives in one, all of them exploring the unknown. The ship captain is pushing dangerously into the Arctic. Dr. Frankenstein makes a notable breakthrough, creating human life anew, but runs from the consequences. The creature, who creates his own education, and determines that he needs a mate.
This volume distinguishes the three narrative levels: the sea captain, Dr. Frankenstein, and the Creature. Backmatter material adds some information about the book and its author.
Victor Frankenstein is just a college student who wants to figure out the technical details of how life works. Obsessed with chasing this discovery, he creates something unthinkable. And then things all go wrong. Read a Gothic horror classic easily with this modern English translation. But don't worry about missing anything, because the original unedited 1831 version is here too, along with a scholarly essay.
Haiku summary
The creature awakes, Horrible yet innocent, Abandonment scars. (hillaryrose7)
It is dangerous, To play God with life and death, Horror the result. (hillaryrose7)
Monster destruction Could have been avoided, Vic. Parental neglect. (captainfez)
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Frankenstein Bicentennial group read
Wikipedia in English (97)
I'm redoing my review of this because finally, after had read the original 1818 text during the summer of 2022, I have purchased my own copy of Frankenstein. The edition I purchased for myself is the 1984 reprinting by Pennyroyal Press, ISBN 0520201795. This edition contains drawings by Barry Moser, and the text itself is split into three volumes. I'm excited to start reading this new version. I think that it will be as exciting as the first time I read it. (