How to Read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (10 Tips)

————————————
————————————
Hardcore Literature Lecture Series
————————————

0:00 how to read Frankenstein
0:30 reading the Romantic Sublime
1:20 the Gothic literary tradition
2:00 1818 vs 1831
2:30 how the tale was born
3:30 Milton's Satan and Prometheus
4:45 the Frankenstein of pop culture
5:58 write your own horror story
6:45 reading pace for Frankenstein
7:40 dodgy doctors at the gallows
8:15 Mary Shelley's tragic life
8:45 the Romantic critical tradition
9:33 discuss the book with friends

[waterglas]

What stroke me most about it when reading it years ago is that the creature has nothing to do with Hollywood's vision of it. The monster is such a philosophical complex and paradoxicaly human character, and the novel doesn't have a terror athmosphere. Instead it grasps the essence of romanticism perfectly.

[peggymccright]

I read Frankenstein for the first time earlier this year. Part of my continuing education now I’m retired. I loved this book. Heartbroken that the creator abandoned him, fascinated by his teaching himself at the cottage and the conversation with the blind man! puzzled by the creation and destruction of the female. I will reread it again someday. Thanks so much for your channel and your encouragement to read deeply.

[dv]

One of my personal favorites too.
Fun story: I bought an old edition from a book sale, it's a London published 90s edition and it has notes from past owner. I think it's cool.

[LifewithDimeji]

I was fooled by television. I’m so glad that I read this story and understand the origin now. What a masterpiece. Now on to Dracula by Bram Stoker.

[allisonfox]

I would love to see more books like these such as Jekyll and Hyde as well as Drakula and tales from Washington Irving. I've picked up a whole bunch of spooky books for October and I love having your commentary to pair with them as it makes it that much more enjoyable!

[elizabethmurphy]

I just re-read this last month. I am always so taken by how little this is a "horror" tale. I prefer the later writing with Mary Shelly's introduction. The true horror of this tale is the human dealings. I just love this book. If I were to try and write my own spooky tale it would go something like this: I saw a monster, it scared the crap out of me, I went and hid, I drank lot's of wine, the end. Mary Shelley was far more brilliant than I, hence, my need for more wine. You have brought so much of the truly brilliant and wonderful mind of Mary Shelley out for us to ponder. Thank you for these videos.

[antonella]

Superb video. Thank you . I am so grateful I found you. 🙏

[garyrutland]

Finally got to read this last year and was absolutely staggered by its brilliance. Desperate to read more Mary Shelley especially her dystopian novel. One day, hopefully. So many books, so little time eh? Hahahaha

[krzysamm]

I love your videos. Your zeal and love of the classics causes me to want to read them. Thank you for all that you do. I much prefer the Frankenstein book over any movie....except Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder as it is hysterical.... it is amazing how much they changed from book to movie

[lisajayne]

Thank you for your tips on reading Frankenstein, I m quite scared of reading classics but I cried when you said about how Mary lost her baby and her dreams, it really changes like you say the films that tell the story in their own way but not about who’s the monster ! Thank you so much x

[aymanmahbub]

Mary Shelley 2017 is one of my favorite movies.I highly recommend it if you don't watch it yet. It is perfect for anyone who wants to know about her life properly.

[axlramirez]

Wonderful video. I remember when I read this novel and wow, I was amazed by the prolific writing style, its narrative and the story itself.

Besides, I read The Sorrows of the Young Werther just immediately after reading Frankenstein, in order to know why the creature had read it in the novel. Perhaps I was not so smart to figure it out, but at least I was able to find another beautiful novel and a great author such as Goethe.

Thank you so much for these kinds of videos, my friend, they are really impressive. 👋

[tanmaysangwan]

I love the way you describe the literary works. Your wit and eloquent always fascinate me. Everytime I hear the notification sound from your channel it just grab my attention and i run off to see your video. Please keep making such more

[carrollwilliams]

Another creepy book to read is " The Book of the Law" by Aleister Crowley. His biography is almost unbelievable. Very eerie and full of sexual decadence. He was famous for his worship of the occult.

[antoniusal]

I have read frankestein twice eventhough english is not my mother laguage i tried my best to feel this beautiful story in its original language.

[jackhilton]

Just bought this today. So happy I came across your video with it being so recent. Please do more, I completely shot past the introduction, context etc. so you’ve made me go back to read it for a better understanding.

[ChubbyChecker]

The Danny Boyle Stage version with Cumberbatch is excellent.

What an incredible story Frankenstein is, a work of genius.

[gaelliott]

This book is one of my favorites. I remember our discussions in college about Victor Frankenstein, as man acting as creator and God. My little paperback is heavily annotated.

[beautifulboulevards]

One of my sons Benjamin, who is 21, just exclaimed today he's having trouble finishing all the books he's started. This video was great timing. A reminder that this is a shorter book. I found a cool copy for him today. It has an intro by Douglas Clegg and a afterward by Harold Bloom (I didn't know about him very much till I saw your mentions of him) My great pal at Barnes and Noble had me get 1 of his recommends too. It's the penguin, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories. Cool cover. I think these are all great for Halloween month too. What do you think of Washington Irving? The guys who work at B&N love that book. Hoping the recommends help him. I also direct him to your videos. I will be reading Frankenstein again (this time the 1818 version) and check out the W. I. Penguin. Probably not this month because am participating in Victober.

[TheDoctor]

My wife and I took a break from Don Quixote to read Frankenstein in three days, based on your suggestion. It was a wild ride. We disagreed on who the monster was. I have since discovered that my brother first thought the monster was the monster, but upon rereading it, he thinks Frankenstein is the monster. I will be rereading this one (alone, slower, and taking quite some time for reflection). As an aside, I've been changing my mind about Don Quixote—but I'll save that comment for when we're done; we have 14 chapters left.