It might be a more interesting book review than you think...
We all know Frankenstein: the big, stupid monster with bolts in his temples. Halloween masks, children's cartoons and campy horror movies. Most of us have an archetypal picture of what Frankenstein is, and yet the source material-- Mary Shelley's original 19th-century #horror story-- is much more of a departure than even I thought possible.
Things Were Different Back Then.
That might actually be the central message of this whole post, and it has become the unavoidable cornerstone of my reading experience over the years.
Old literature is generally better. Period.
People were more intelligent and more expressive, it seems. The stories which, at the time, were read by ordinary people are now challenging our most capable thinkers... characters like Ebenezer Scrooge, Dracula and #Frankenstein have slowly been turned into watered-down, facile caricatures of their original complexity for the sake of our lesser modern intellect.
I mean... come on, we don't want to be forced to THINK!
I'll Digress, But Somewhat Regrettably...
It really is a shame. I find myself stopping and starting as I read these antique tales, in fits of pure awe and discovery. Such a masterful grasp of language, such versatility!
Read it for yourself.
Victor Frankenstein was saved from the frozen sea by an adventurous captain during his own daring expedition to destroy the creature he had created. While that is a decent summary of the story's main plot, Frankenstein himself best encapsulated it with a warning to his saviour:
“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”
― Victor Frankenstein (Shelley)
I can't help but marvel at the intelligence and economy of such #literature.
And Then There's "The Monster".
You know... the one I described earlier: the "Frankenstein" we all know as the big, lumbering creature from cartoons and monster movies. First, we should acknowledge that the #monster actually has NO NAME. Victor Frankenstein is the man who created it.
Image c/o freestocks on Unsplash.
Second, and much more importantly, the "monster" is a very complicated and ambiguous character whose nature seems to call into question who the monster of the story really is. It's not a black and white issue at all in my eyes.
But again, don't take it from me... listen to "The Monster" express its own existential dilemma-- after being rejected by its own creator, and then the world:
“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”
― Frankenstein's Monster (Shelley)
Don't get me wrong... the monster did eventually indulge its rage, which is what led to Victor Frankenstein seeking to destroy his monstrosity. But much can be said to justify the creature's feelings, and at least something could be said to reconcile its character entirely.
It's a very human story.
Image from Amazon.
No Spoilers Though. I Promised Myself.
For a basic plot, I'll quote a true fan and expert-- Robert Kiely-- from a section of his 1972 work, "The Romantic #Novel in England", analyzing Mary Shelley's horror masterpiece:
"The entire narrative of Frankenstein is in the form of three confessions to individuals with whom the speaker has unusually close ties. First, the young explorer Robert Walton writes to his sister in England as he journeys into the Arctic. There he rescues Frankenstein from a shipwreck and listens to his tale, which, in turn, contains a long narrative spoken by the monster to its creator... The monster wants pity from his creator; his narrative is the most sentimental of the three and the most pathetically modest in its claims."
Just as I was saying! This is a much more nuanced and complicated story than just some crazed, evil abomination senselessly terrorizing the countryside.
Mary Shelley is Better Than That.
And this novel is far too good to be etched into our collective consciousness as such a simplistic, stupid monster caricature! Part of me wonders how it even went so far in that direction.
One of my favourite movies growing up, for example, was THE MONSTER SQUAD-- a truly classic, fun monster movie made in 1987 and still delivers a satisfying experience. A group of kids with a monster club have a showdown with all the greats: Dracula, Wolf Man, the mummy, the lagoon monster... and, of course, Frankenstein.
Image c/o IMDB.
As much as I still really do enjoy this movie-- I actually own it and highly recommend it for classic horror movie fans of all ages-- I now understand how egregiously pop culture can pervert the true meaning and #art of its influences sometimes.
Frankenstein's monster is NOT at all what you expect it to be, and it does NOT fit into any of the boxes we've been trying to put it in for a damn century or more...
Are There Any True Film Adaptations?
I was so pleasantly surprised by Mary Shelley's horror masterpiece, actually, that I feel compelled to check out the more serious cinematic interpretations produced over the years too!
There are a few newer movies that may be worth watching-- and are probably more impressive visually-- but it seems like a better choice to start with Boris Karloff's iconic 1931 portrayal... which is still the most critically acclaimed version to date. I'll be buying THIS EXACT FORMAT at some point... and then I'll probably post a #CineTV review. 😎
Image from Amazon.
I really hope it's true to the book. I want to see Mary Shelley's story on the screen, and NOT the more cartoony, unintelligent version of Frankenstein's monster that we've come to expect!
But the only way to truly understand what I mean is to READ IT yourself. And if you haven't encountered the Frankenstein character yet whatsoever, then please do start with the book!
Thank me later. 😊
So What is DAVE'S VERDICT?
Seriously? It's a no-brainer!
Dave knows books. And he likes this one a lot!
Joking aside, it really is some great storytelling-- and very skilled writing. If I had to give it a score, it would probably be 7.9 out of 10. A great read, and a genuine recommendation.
Book lovers OWN Books...
You know... they're made out of paper and smell like a century-old child's imagination.
As usual, I have included a link to an Amazon listing for this amazing read... because a true #bibliophile wants to actually own the books she or he loves, to touch them and turn the pages! The home #library is a labour of love. You know?
So if we're on the same page-- and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein sounds like a story you will enjoy-- then I highly recommend you ADD IT TO THE SHELF.
Great literature deserves to be in homes everywhere.
And if you're a fellow reading enthusiast here on Hive, you should consider joining the HIVE BOOK CLUB community to connect with like-minded people and share your own #reading suggestions!
As an Amazon affiliate, any purchases you make through my links will award me a small cut at no extra cost to you... so I sincerely thank everyone who may do so. Much appreciated! 🙏
