Frankenstein by Mary Shelley CLASSIC BOOK REVIEW

A book review of the classic book, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. This is part of my Classic book review series.

Mary Shelley wrote this piece of classic literature when she was only 20. Frankenstein as a story it is excellent, but as a work of literature it is incredible. What were the ideas and themes beneath the story which are still meaningful today?

We will dive into the story (SPOILER ALERT) and examine the lessons that we can draw from this classic book.

[jeremyfee]

Great review; fascinating video. It's such a great story that it makes me wonder why the film producers always want to change up and dumb down things so much when they make Frankenstein movies.

[TheRootsMan]

I finished reading the book today; and the overwhelming takeaway impression throughout the entire reading process is this is the saddest story I've ever read in my entire life. The full setting is saturated with the beauty of nature, the curiosity of life and the undeniable quest for knowledge. The backstory of the monster is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking; and everything you discussed in your review is equally thought-provoking. I am so glad that I finally read FRANKENSTEIN. What a great book!

[magdlynstrouble]

I'm 69 years old and I just read Frankenstein. I appreciate very much your commentary. One thing I'd add: Despite being an 18th century book. I saw a precursor of Jung's concept of the "shadow side" of humans when Frankenstein called his creation a "daemon." Wasn't the monster the flip side of the loved ones and Frankenstein himself? His own daemons come to life? A warning, as it were, of what happens when a family member is neglected, mistrusted and abused, instead of loved?

[duffypratt]

I like the analysis, and the book, especially the earlier edition before Shelley revised it. My main problem with the book are the huge plot holes. To kill Clerval, the monster would have had to leave the northern island, find him, bring him with him to the coast, row to Ireland, and dump the body in the place where Frankenstein would end up after having been lost at sea for one night. So, although he can’t travel during the day, he manages this trip (and this foresight of what he could not have known), in less than a day. Without flying, you can’t do that trip in that amount of time using regular transportation.

On top of that, Victor goes to England and Scotland because he needs to consult with some people who can help him in achieving the project of making the mate. But Victor is the only one who knows this process, and he has already done it (he says). So what did he need the advice for. And, after Clerval’s death, he is arrested. But after Elizabeth’s death, there is no suspicion of him? Both Clerval and Elizabeth were strangled. Victor, to others, is the common connection.

How to explain these? The monster never existed. Victor failed in his experiments, but couldn’t accept the failure and goes insane. There is lots of evidence in the book that he is insane, so that’s not a stretch. But here is the problem with my explanation: it can’t account nicely for William’s death, since Victor is still away at the time. Thus there are serious problems and inconsistencies with either reading.

So maybe the whole narrative is an invention of the captain to excuse his failure to pursue his dream of finding the Northwest Passage? His decision ends up being he opposite of what Victor did. He abandons progress and the quest for knowledge in order to preserve the life of his crew. The rest is simply an invention, even within the world.

I would love it if someone could provide an explanation that makes sense of Victor’s story, but there is simply too much that Shelley would have known better about to simply discard it as a writer taking liberties.

[TheNutmegStitcher]

Just finished this today. I wasn't sure how I felt about until the end, but I'm glad I read it. I kept waiting for Victor to accept responsibility for his pride and folly, but I think at the very end he finally got it to a degree. The monster was heartbreaking.

[HumbleBaritonics]

I was a non-fiction reader almost exclusively. Thank you for, "Fiction is where you explore yourself."

[normbabbitt]

I just finished reading for Frankenstein for the 4th time over the decades. My experience of the novel improves with each reading. I love your reviews and your recommendations about reading. Thank you!

[Wulk]

This book should become wayy more relevant today than any other time before Chatgpt gets out of hand

[margeriteb]

I just recently read the book or rather re-read it after 25 years. As I have nobody to discuss it I enjoyed this video very much.
For me, another key idea in this book was the consequences of what can happen when you become completely obsessed with something, losing sight of perspective. The monster that is obsessed with making friends. Forcing love. Frankenstein who is obsessed with playing God, but later obsessed with destroying this monster and actually only causes more mischief in the process. Whatever we do, as soon as we are obsessed with an idea and it becomes our only goal, regardless of any loss, we have lost a piece of our humanity. In the end, the question remains. Is it worth it?

[JFM]

I read it because you recommend it in anohter video. I can't believe how amazig it is. It became one of my favorite books of all time. I cant thank you enough for your recommendation.

[franbell]

I read Frankenstein ages ago but never stopped to think about the deaths caused by the monster (although you have to wonder who bears the ultimate responsibility for them). I think there's something even darker or perhaps more encompassing about those deaths - for instance, the murder of the boy is the death of innocence. I remember feeling compassion for the monster as a being who was the way he was because of a lack of love from his creator. Time to read it again, I think! Thanks so much for these reviews - they're so engaging and are prompting me not only to re-read some books that I didn't get much out of the first time around, but to expand my reading horizons

[BookishwithYo]

Great review, I love this book 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Very good points and very well put 📖 by the way, I absolutely love your intro☺️✨

[theelegantcouplesbookrevie]

Absolutely spot on! Fantastic review! The Faustian spirit is still alive and well, and hubris only continues to inflate us further as we think we have a handle over the natural world as we reduce the world to the narrow confines of our methods. Such a sadly misunderstood novel!

[yarnmama]

I have read this book several times. I enjoyed your insight on the themes and they are actually in line with my original conclusions. Thank you for your channel.

[toddduncan]

Hi Tristan, thanks so much for this in depth analysis. I truly enjoyed it and learned quite a bit from it. Shelley specifically indicated that Frankenstein is a modern retelling of Prometheus. This is something that I have looked into in an effort to better understand the story. I'd love to see you do a second, or follow on, video that explores this. I really do value the your take on things related to literature.

[almudenagonzalezrequejo]

Really good review. Thanks for sharing!

[KalliBella]

Terrific and insightful review of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley impressed me with her thoughtful warning about human pride. I will read it again :)

[karlalymburner]

Wow awesome review you inspire to read that book👌👌👌👌🤗🤗🤗

[attention]

This is wonderful! There is a single sentence that gives hints that he used eccentricity. Or am I remembering that wrong. The term "instruments of life" I think was used. Maybe that is what I am thinking. The comments on why Shelley had the women murdered is a really interesting thought--taking out the humanity to be purely rational. I don't believe I have heard that before. Completely agree with your final comments on the limitations of science. I will definitely be checking out more from this channel! Thank you! 😊😊

[stunik]

Great video Tristan. Really sums up the themes of the novel.