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Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus (Penguin Popular Classics)

Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

30 reviews
Sales Rank: 2032

Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.5

ISBN: 0140620303
EAN: 9780140620306
ASIN: 0140620303

Publication Date: February 24, 1994
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW and IN STOCK - dispatched within 48 hours from the UK

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•	Paperback - Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus (Penguin Classics)

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Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Interesting April 20, 2008
I don't know why I put off reading this book for so long, in my mind I imagined this to be some standard gothic horror with a monster chasing civilians but the reality was much different. The book is far more complex, the characters more complicated and the idea of creation rebelling against creator throwing up various allegories. The book does admittedly take some getting into, but it is worth persevering with as it rapidly gets better.

4 out of 5 stars

Frankenstein - Immoral or Kinky? January 28, 2008
Although Frankenstein is undoubtedly enjoyable due to its successful attempts at being a novel tale, superbly written and carefully considered; the real fascination and pleasure of the book is to be gained from modern analysis.
Since the birth of Freudian psycho-analysis came into mainstream literary criticism, we must question Shelly's true inspiration behind writing a horror novel and the curious characters within it.
It is clear that what lies on the surface of the tale (A maddened, genius scientist creating a creature, playing the role of God and suffering the consequences) is just the starting point for literary interpretation.
I would surmise the tale is a physical apparition of a polymerization of her super-ego formulating a will to over come nature, combined with a lust for a 'large powerful man' to create the menacing daemon of her work.

4 out of 5 stars

Frankenstein - horror or science fiction? January 2, 2008
I think that this book can be classified as both of the above. It is horror in the sense that it explores the deepest and most terrifying emotions of humanity, and explores how those who are different will use any means to get revenge on those who are happy. However, it is science fiction as it contains strange sciences not yet explored, inhumane was of creating life.
This book contains a lot of descriptive text, which although essential for setting the scene, is often not needed in such a large quantity. Several pages go on about the scenery of Europe, wheras there is only a short note on how Frankenstein's monster was created. I think that this is a clever example of how Mary Shelley shows contrast of how gruesome the monster is compared with the spectacular serenity of the mountains, villages and people. Never the less, she should have included more gruesome scenes and a more elongated description of the monster's creation.
"Frankenstein" has a strong plot with believable characters and an unexpected and gripping ending - overall, a thouroughly good read.

4 out of 5 stars

Genuinely scary and touching October 28, 2007
I had heard so much anecdotal criticism of this massively influential genre-defying 1818 classic that it stood for years on my bookshelf until I finally read it. It surpassed all my expectations. It is a genuinely scary and touching story, with philosophical inplications that could be argued over for a lifetime. Note: it's also much better than Dracula (a book this one inevitably gets paired with).

5 out of 5 stars

A commentary on Victorian Society September 29, 2007
This is a book which turned out to be nothing like what I was expecting. Admittedly my expectations were based on half remembered snippets of old horror films, but nevertheless, its not all set at night in mittel europe, and there is no Igor!!

Seriously this excellent book must be one of the first examples of a science fiction novel. I would definitely classify it as science fiction rather than horror, as there is nothing supernatural. Like all great science fiction, Frankenstein is actually a critique of contemporary society, the industrial revolution, the rise of capitalism etc.

While some of the peripheral characters are rather two-dimensional, Frankenstein and his creation are fascinating Frankenstein is pompous, callous, irresponsible and selfish, despite the protestations of other characters, whereas the creation is highly sympathetic despite the evil of its deeds.

I find it intersting to compare this book with Dracula, and would classify them thus. Frankenstein is Jane Austen (elegant prose)to Dracula's Emily Bronte (wild passion).

Would I recommend it ? - Absolutely