Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

This book was an exciting find in an small American bookstore called Big Ben Bookstore in Prague. They sell very high quality used books, and since this book was slightly less than mint condition, the shop owner let me have it for free (even though I would have happily paid).

One of the biggest shockers this book gave me was how NOT horrific it was! I mean, if you think of the classic Frankenstein movie, you're expecting to be given chills and get some shocks! However, there was really nothing frightening in the novel. Yes, the monster kills someone, but you hear his entire background story and end up feeling pity for the lonely creature.

Another shock was how eloquent of a speaker the monster was. I mean, whenever I think of the monster featured in this book, I think of incoherent moans and groans. However, when the monster is relating his story to his maker, his speech is so fluent and well-versed, it was nothing but an absolute shock.

I believe the true monster in this book is Mr. Frankenstein himself. He created this creature, and the minute he lays eyes on it he abandons the poor thing. The monster is forced to raise himself, to learn the lays of the land without any parent to teach him, though he learns from experience than everyone has some sort of parent or creator. His appearance is horrific, and no one will give him a chance to explain himself after taking one look at him. He begs his creator for a partner, someone like him, and promises to run away and never hurt another being as long as he never has to live alone. However, the creator selfishly refuses, his thoughts being that the monster would continue killing, despite his promises.

Being a person with a fear of living alone for the rest of my life, I can empathize with the monster, which is perhaps why I'm rooting for him in this situation. While I feel sorry that the creator looses his wife, I feel that he was fairly warned and was rude to the monster. People can find other partners, the monster never could.

In total I give this book 3.5 OUT OF FIVE STARS!! Yes, I enjoyed the storyline, but I feel that Mary Shelley strayed from it a little too much. There were too many moments that were completely unnecessary, not to mention boring. If they had at least had some excitement or humor to them, it wouldn't have been quite so terrible.

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