Frankenstein: The Original 1818 Edition Paperback – February 17, 2020

If you're reading this review, you only have one question. You're not looking for a book review, you already know it's a classic. You already know this is the most original, and one of the best, and best-written horror stories in literature. You may or may not like the story, but that's a matter of personal taste. A lot of people don't like Shakespeare, but no one questions whether he was a good writer or not. If you don't like the writing style, it's because you aren't familiar with the English of this period. Nearly eighty years before Stoker's "Dracula" ( an idea stolen from Polidori's "The Vampyre", which was an idea stolen from LeFanu's "Carmilla"), this most-original horror masterpiece was born. So, your only question is, "Is this really the uncensored 1818 version? Because I've only seen one other verified version, and it's over twenty dollars in paperback. All the others claiming to be the 1818 version have been disproved." YES, as far as I can tell, it is. The only preface is Shelley's own original. There is no introduction, no commentary or editorial credits whatsoever. There are no illustrations, and the spelling and language have not been edited. Have a good thesaurus handy. So, here it is, the author's original script, no frills, for a bargain price. Which is exactly what I was looking for.

This goes down as one of my favorite books. The way Mary Shelley writes really brings you into that time.

First off, I can’t believe I had never read this book! It was chosen for my book club. Very interesting read. Not at all what I was expecting. I really enjoyed the beginning of the story. Felt it lagged in the Dr’s seemingly endless mental breakdown/stress issues. Raised a lot of questions and discussion at the book club meeting. I recommend!

I love this Gothic tale. I love even more how it's genesis took place. What better way to construct a cautionary story but by a raging storm and hearth fire glow? The writing is as gorgeous as it is precise. The characters are original and real. Most importantly though, I love the many messages it manages to capture within it's pages.***For those not familiar to this classic tale, there will be SPOILERS as I dissect what entices me so.This heart-wrenching story follows the trail of an unwanted being just trying to find it's place in the world. Trying desperately to understand it's creation and locate it's creator to find solace in companionship. On his journey he encounters an array of humanistic experiences and learns to adapt to find his own way. So who really is the monster here? The one who was created and left to wander without guidance, or the creator who refused to offer compassion?For me, this was an extremely thought provoking script. I found myself questioning much about life in general and the concept of cause and effect and nature vs nurture. I was bombarded with intense emotions to not just the story but what has become the prelude to seeking answers to quench my wonderings for the philosophic exploration I could embark on.Here, A reckless young student manages to do the impossible. He reanimates a stitched together mass of corpse creating life! What does he do after this astounding feat? He runs. After playing God and succeeding he hides away and abandons the product of his science. The creature, then left to it's own devices, flees into an alien world to try and find comfort and understanding. Traumatized and alone. He seeks to find his creator to find a form of purpose.I am still in awe by the brutality in which Shelley was able to portray humanity and the consequences of both the lack of and embodiment of. This novel brings to question what it really means to be human. Is it a finesse of comportment that makes one's experience all the more important and real? Or could the simplicity of breathing be attributed to one's humanic experience? What constitutes humanity in general?Even more wondrous was her role reversal of good vs evil. Here, we have a learned student who manages to do something extraordinary! Instead of taking responsibility for his creation he abandons it. An educated, adult male, whom is most likely Christian, runs away from his actions leaving a confused and scared creature to traverse the world alone in solitude. Of course when the creature starts to learn and apply his own mind to his situation he confronts the man who gave him existence without knowledge! How could you consider a being without guidance to be a monster for his actions while not understanding that the true monster here was the one who didn't take responsibility for his actions to prevent the atrocities and suffering that followed?Yeah, I know, i'm kinda just blubbering along here so I'll go ahead and stop this while I'm ahead. Should you ever get the chance to embrace this intricate novel, I beg you to overlook what some consider to be a long winded story, and seek the true meaning beneath the words.

I have read SO MANY Frankenstein retellings but I had never gotten around to the original so I decided that I was definitely going to do it for Halloween this year. I've gotta say, it's good to know the foundations for the retellings but I definitely prefer modern adaptations a LOT more. It's incredibly impressive that Mary Shelley wrote this when she was only 18/19 and basically started the entire horror genre, but IMO we've come a long way in the past 200 years and this feels a little bit dated now.Although I don't necessarily think that's her fault and I just think of how much better it could have been if she wasn't constrained by her time period. It's obvious that she relates very much to the creature in this story and that that comes from a place of social injustices and her experiences as a woman in general and also as a woman who is writing this book that people think isn't appropriate or whatever. But I feel like she can't really take the metaphors as far as she would probably like to because she's pushing her luck enough already as it is.Also I know he's SUPPOSED to be but Victor is just so melodramatic and ridiculous. Like, Victor, you've been making this creature for months and you just suddenly realize OH CRAP HE'S UGLY???? Victor, love your tall ugly son! This whole thing could have been avoided if you had just been less of a drama queen honestly.

Great Book!

Great read