I decided to give Frankenstein a reread. I read it in high school and didn’t love it, so I wanted to give it another go. It’s still not one of my favorites. Let’s get to my review.
Synopsis
I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion.” A summer evening’s ghost stories, lonely insomnia in a moonlit Alpine’s room, and a runaway imagination–fired by philosophical discussions with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley about science, galvanism, and the origins of life–conspired to produce for Marry Shelley this haunting night specter.
My Thoughts on Frankenstein
I understand why Frankenstein is popular. I really do. The writing is beautiful, and the characters are complex. However, it still just doesn’t have what I want in a story like this.
It’s no secret that Frankenstein is more of a study on the horrors of humanity than anything else, but I still wish it had focused more on the creation of the monster. The tension just wasn’t there. Essentially, he said I built a monster. Then the next sentence was I lost the monster. I just didn’t feel connected to the plot. I did enjoy the monster’s monologue, but the rest of the story just didn’t work for me.
My Rating: 2/5
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I remember reading this book a few years ago and I enjoyed it but it can be hard to connect with the story. Though, I did enjoy the themes of the book that focused on ethics, loneliness and human responsibility.
Totally agree!
Kudos for trying! I usually hate the style of prose used in this novel (poetic/flowery at times) but for some reason it works with this specific book with me. I reread this a couple years ago and felt the same. Oh well, on to your next great read!
Better to try it and not enjoy it than to not try at all I guess lol. The writing was beautiful I just didn’t connect with it. Thanks for reading!
Right, at least you gave it another shot since high school. Our tastes change with time, just maybe not this specific one for you.
Frankenstein is one of my favorite classics of all time, so I’m sorry you didn’t end up liking it more! We do agree that the monster’s section is the best part, though 🥰
I can definitely see why people love it! It just wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.