Summary Frankenstein

What we enjoyed about the book:

• convoluted narrative situation, embedded stories, framing device
• Waltons is a “massive Frankenstein stan”
• unreliable narrators are great
• “I liked it” despite it being a classic
• super influential
• timeless, so many retellings
• different than imagined –> adaptations have a huge influence
• very descriptive, good nature / emotion descriptions
• transcends the idea of monster vs. good person
• creature = monster? Victor = monster? creature = victim? –> blurred lines
• change of how we like / perceive characters interesting
• old book but writing style not too old fashioned
• more layers / questions what we know
• limits of science
• creature / creator, hubris
• exciting Gothic tale
• transcends the limits of the genre
• “such an iconic story”
• Mother of Scifi just slays
• subtexts: anticolonial, vegetarian, feminist
• impressive
• psychological dimension fascinating
• 1930s movie not like the book at all
• teenage angst novel
• What if Frankenstein raised the creature properly? Daddy Issues TM
• Do we create our own monsters?
• theatre adaptation with Benedict Cumberbatch great
• radical
• man giving birth to a creature
• queer reading so cool
• scope fascinating: Cologne, the Rhine, Italy, Arctic circle
• weird that he’s so shocked by the creature, Frankenstein made it???
• movie adaptations messing with our head
• Monster Theory!

What we discussed / disliked:

• Romantic English bit annoying
• very stupid Gothic idea: monster finds books in forest? Seriously?
• undefined Middle Eastern problematic, half Christian so good? Wild.
• backstory of French revolution weak
• travel log format annoying to some
• nobody writes letters like this, honestly
• Frankenstein & Walton: gay?
• scientification visible but details wonky
• did Viktor give the creature genitals? Envy?
• cottage philosophers romanticised af
• Viktor is just clueless and runs away from his problems
• very buff creature (OH ROCKY)
• super rich people problems in parts
• Daddy Issues TM
• monster just needed a pet and a hug to be ok-ish?

Ratings (in weird categories):

• 5/5 creepy teachers of ancient knowledge for a classic
• 3/5 classics hidden in a random tree: not easy to read, too many layers?
• 4/5 moving to a different country to outrun your problems: “if it had been a 5 star three years aago, I would’ve remembered more”; important book
• 4/5 brutally but unsurprisingly murdered family members: “as a classic it was really good and easy to enjoy”
• 4/5 brides for his harem: Open questions, who made the monster the way he was? Frankenstein too much, just trying tro justify his bullshit
• 4.5/5 body parts: influence on scifi and Gothic so cool, approachable for a classic, fascinating narrative situation, Mary Shelley just slays
• 4/5 major daddy issues: writing style & Viktor annoying, skipped paragraphs
• STILL A BETER LOVE STORY THAN TWILIGHT
• 4/5 warm hugs for the creature: radical themes, ahead of its time, still relevant today, pacing off

Other books we talked about:

• Children Series by Tchaikovsky was recommended
• China Mieville: Looking for Jack
• Endgame by Beckett
• Audiobook of “In the Life of Puppets” by Klune
• “Equal Rites” by Terry Pratchett
• “Island of Doctor Moreau” by H.G. Wells + “Daughtrer of Doctor Moreau”
• November new Baldree cosy fantasy book coming ❤