REVIEW: Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

Book: Frankenstein

Author: Mary Shelley

My rating: 4/5.

Premise: This is the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment.

We probably imagine the same thing when we think of Frankenstein: a creepy castle on a mountain, lightning, a mad scientist, the monster itself a patchwork with bolts in his neck. But as to the plot, that's a grey area. In fact, the story is nothing like this at all. We start off on an expedition to the North Pole where the captain of the ship comes across Victor Frankenstein marooned on a bit of ice. Victor then retells his story, which is less horror, more emotive and thought provoking. Through Victor, we explore the idea of scientists playing God and the fallout from his actions on his conscious. The monster raises the question of nature vs nurture. Was he a monster because of his creation? Or was it the result of the abuse we suffered from human? His character also addresses how we as people make hasty judgements without getting to know each other. To me, this book read more as a tragedy with hints of gothic rather than a horror. But overall I've loved how much its made me think and question.