Frankenstein (1818)

[Reviewed as part of The Illustrated Book Club]

Frankenstein is rightly considered one of the earliest works of science fiction. And like the best science fiction, it is not primarily concerned with whether something is possible (the how-to of so-called hard sci-fi), but what it would mean for human beings if it were possible. Many university bookshelves bow with the weight of competing critiques - feminist, psychoanalytical, marxist/anti-capitalist - arguing over what Frankenstein really means. And such themes are definitely there, to whatever extent. However, it is a book that is rich enough to allow for such a wide range of interpretations because, fundamentally, it is a story told in dreamlike symbols. And like all dreams, they can mean what you want them to. This I think is why its popularity has endured so long.

Despite its dreamlike quality, the narrative itself is at pains to be 'realistic' - through journals and letters and other forms of literary device (a method - if I remember rightly - that it shares with Stoker's Dracula and Defoe's Robinson Crusoe). This is cleverly and skilfully done, for the most part. However, while there is certainly plenty of action and incident, this form of narrative doesn't really lend itself to thriller-like suspense, but more of a sort of meditative distance, allowing us to analyse the psychology and motives of the characters. There are also points at which the attempts at realism seem strained or dated: for example, the monster's own account of how he comes to learn language is detailed but (speaking as a philosopher) implausible. So, it would almost have been better to leave this account out, you might think - but then, remember, this is not hard sci-fi or true realism; the main point is to allow the monster to speak. Unlike the dumb, non-rational things that science exploits and experiments on - Descartes's clockwork cats and dogs - the monster has a voice. Does it really matter how he got it? Don't let the journals and letters fool you. This is a dream, after all, and all attempts to make sense of it are mere rational confabulations of a left-brain all at sea (or at least, in a villa overlooking a lake...).

Gareth Southwell is a philosopher, writer and illustrator.

The writing seems stiff at times, but maybe that's just the time in which it was written. Whatever the case, the story and characters present a complex emotional tragedy. ( )

The classic tale of horror. If you love this genre this is a must read. ( )

I think everyone has had some exposure to the general idea of what this book is about. I certainly had, and was not altogether excited by the prospect of reading it. I got a free copy, and decided to dive in anyway. I'm so glad that I did. The story was much deeper than I'd ever thought it was based on the modern re-imaginings that we've probably all seen in various media. The monster was not just some groaning & slow-moving zombie, but rather a thoughtful and tormented being. He not only is able to speak, but can be quite eloquent and persuasive when he is so inclined. Frankenstein himself is similarly not the maniacal mad scientist that he is often portrayed to be.

I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone. I am very glad to have read it, despite my initial hesitance. ( )

2018
https://www.librarything.com/topic/279863#6405967 ( )