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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.7
EAN num: 9780141439471
ISBN number: 0141439475
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 352
Printing Date: 2003-05
Publishing house: Penguin Classics
Release Date: May 06, 2003
Sale Popularity Level: 2788
Studio: Penguin Classics
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Product Description:
Edited by Maurice Hindle.
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Rated by buyers 
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What makes Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein most amazing isn't the intensity of the narrative, the breadth of the science (for the early 18th century) or the fullness of her characters, for this book has all of those elements. However, Shelley's understanding that the creation of a "spiritual" (read: with a soul) being without thought to its emotional or spiritual needs is possibly one of the most inhumane acts a human can make. In the case of this story, it is Dr. Frankenstein (surely not the crazy mad scientist portrayed in the movies) whose sole passion of creating life engulfs him in a mission that turns very first to horror and eventually dread and utter despair.
But this book really is not about Dr. Frankenstein, but the monster he creates. A monster created with a blank slate. One that could have easily been motivated by virtue rather than evil had his creator (or any other number of people) not ignored his basic spiritual needs of love and kindness. Once this monster understands that love cannot be given to him by humans, he makes one last plea to his creator to make another creature like him, so that he will have someone to love.
Frankenstien's decision on whether to create a second monster and eventual unwillingness to consent to the request is the second point of concern for the novel. Could Dr. Frankenstein have averted the disaster that was to come? Would he have prevented personal disaster at the expense of a curse on humanity? These questions the reader is left to ponder, making this one of the greatest novels ever written.
The book would not be considered "horror" in the 21st century with our special effects abilities to create gore and disgust. It would be put more into the category of psychological thriller ala the movie "Seven" where the details of the actual acts are left to your imagination and the reasons behind the acts are explored more in depth.
Rated by buyers 
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I was lucky enough to be assigned this book in my Modern Europe class. It's a quick read, moving along at a nice pace, but not jam-packed with too much action. Instead, this horror novel is one that reaches the reader on a deeper level. Victor takes an emotional journey, from the happiness and security of his childhood, to his fevered and single-minded pursuit of the creation of life, to the horror and despair at the realization of what his dream will cost him. He is the consummate Romantic hero: tragic, boldly and blindly following his own ambition, and agonizing over the loss of his own soul.
There was really only one thing that bothered me about this book. One is the fact that every time something tragic happens to Victor, he falls into a debilitating fever. I know that this sort of illness was a favorite of the Romantics, but after a while, it seemed formulaic. Other than that, the book is nearly perfect: tragic hero, sympathetic yet terrifying villain, beautiful and innocent heroine, and a landscape that is just as important to the story as Victor and his monster are. I would recommend this book to any fan of contemporary horror fiction, and also to any fan of Romantic fiction or poetry. Also, if you're going to watch one of the many film adaptations of this book, I suggest watching Kenneth Branagh's 1994 version, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Robert De Niro plays the monster, and you can't get any better than that. Besides, it's the one movie that stays almost completely true to Mary Shelley's original story.
Rated by buyers 
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I ordered a copy of Frankenstein but was billed for seven copies because Amazon accused me of having clicked the order button more than once. I will take this opportunity to accuse Amazon of thoughtfully or thoughtlessly having created the possibility of more than one order per click, a reality that could indeed happen with a purchaser who has a tremour or who quite accidentally clicks the order button more than once. That's a sad trap for customers who don't pay close attention to the orders they receive, thinking that Amazon sent an order in the customer's favor and the customer later not recognizing the reality of what happened and end up paying the full amount of the credit card invoice.
Rated by buyers -
Short Summary: Victor Frankenstein is young, intelligent, and quite full of himself. He discovers through his studies the methods of creating life, and does so. The creature he creates is of enormous size and strength and is hideous to behold. Terrified of what he has made, he flees, leaving the creature to fend for itself.
I just finished re-reading this book, it has been over 10 years since I read it the last time. My memory of the book was a tremendous feeling of sadness and compassion for the creature that Frankenstein created. In this re-reading I was shocked at the change in my feelings toward the characters. Though everything seemed the same it evoked an entirely different set of emotions in me. After doing a bit of poking about the internet I discovered that there are two versions of the story that Shelley wrote, one the very first one, which is the one I just read, is much harsher, the creature is much less amiable, and Victor is much less forgivable. The second version she wrote, which I understand was written about 10-15 years later, evokes more sympathy for Victor and his creation.
Both are almost identical, starting with the gentleman on the ship in the Northern Ice who meets Victor. Victor relates his tale to the young seamen, this tale often becomes a tale within a tale within a tale as we shift points of view, always related to the young sailour through the stories of Victor. As I read this book I found myself thinking that this may be one of the few books that manages to encompass all 5 versions of Conflict, Man vs Man, Man vs Self, Man vs Nature, and Man vs God. Shelley's prose can at times be difficult, not to read, but to focus on because of the style and time frame it was written in. It is very easy to find yourself skimming, which you do not want to do.
The story is one of love and loss, creation and our relationship with our creator, the faults of man attempting to become God, and the cruelty that lies with our society to that which we perceive as ugly, frightening or hideous. When Victory abandons the monster he leaves him to learn of the cruelty of our society and to react to it as inappropriately as he does. This tale is NOT what you watched on TV, it is not found in the movie you watched. This is a story that can only be found in this book.
Did I love it? Not really, in the version I just read, Victor is a whiner, who considers himself a genius though he stands aside while his family and friends are killed. The monster, though more understandable, is also a contemptible character as he murders one after the other with little to no remorse. Yes it is well written and filled with interesting comparisons, warnings, and meaning... but as for a fun filled entertaining read, the characters were a bit to whiny and non-committal for me to really have anyone to root for. Still, they were full characters, completely rounded and interesting even though they were pathetic. The story is so filled with meaning that you could discuss it for days. And the concept of the feminine in this book is very interesting to read... I recommend this book, but I won't say that it ranks above Dracula in my mind.
Rated by buyers -
Mary Shelly says it like no one else. I thought Tolstoy had the most profound writing talent before reading this book.
Usually I read to kill time but this book had me make the time. In my 52 years, this has been the book that I couldn't wait to get back to. I'm deeply impressed and so happy that I chose this timeless classic.
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