Summary from GoodReads:

The epic battle between man and monster reaches its greatest pitch in the famous story of Frankenstein. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor himself to the very brink. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship …and horror.

My Review:

Frankenstein is definitely not light reading. You have to invest yourself, push yourself through pages and pages of description of snow and nature to get to the meat of the story – and, as I found after pushing myself, it was worth it because the meat of the story was that good.

I remember seeing a Frankenstein movie as a teenager and being thoroughly unimpressed by it.  However, the book is nothing like what I remember that movie being – and then I find out that this story that struggles with morality and creation of life was written by an 18 year old girl.. and my mind is officially blown.

I think one of the most tender, touching moments in a book read this year was the scenes involving Frankenstein and the de Lacey’s.  As I read I found it easy to put myself in the situation of the de Lacey’s, but not quite as easy to figure out just what my actions would be.  The monster was easy to feel pity for, but still – is pity enough?

And what of Frankenstein himself?  Such an egotistical, disagreeable man – but still, was he worth pity as well?  He loses so much that is dear to him, punishment enough for playing God?  So many questions rise out of the story and again, that is exactly why I feel so much respect for the 18 year old Mary Shelley who was mature enough to write a story with such depth.

Fantastic book, if a bit wordy, and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.

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