Frankenstein's Monster

I have mixed feelings about this book. I had never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, so I made a point to read it prior to reading O’Keefe’s novel. Frankenstein’s Monster picks up the tale of the monster where Shelley’s book left off. To me, some of the most fascinating parts of Frankenstein were those told from the monster’s perspective so it was quite interesting to have an entire novel from his point of view. O’Keefe’s writing style was similar to Shelley’s and there seemed to be a flow between the two novels that’s rare for “sequels” written by a different author.

The biggest strength of the novel was the focus on the monster’s character and the exploration of what it means to be different from everyone show more else. His utter aloneness was sometimes heartbreaking, and his moments of tenderness towards those with whom he formed relationships were quite touching. There was a lot to like about this novel, but for me it took several wrong tones that detracted from the overall impact.

First, the same situation happened over and over again throughout the novel, with different players—monster meets someone, begins to feel accepted, then is somehow betrayed or insulted which triggers his rage. The author was making an important point about whether the monster was innately evil or whether the prejudiced response of humans triggered violent behavior, but I wish she’d trusted the reader enough to use a subtler approach rather than a repetitive one.

I also felt that the monster was somewhat inconsistent—his feelings toward particular people fluctuated so widely and wildly that the variations sometimes seemed artificial. Additionally, the author’s choice to focus in closely on several graphically violent scenes was somewhat jarring. To clarify, I wasn’t bothered by the violence so much as the repeated scenes of it; it felt like the author was throwing it in for shock value rather than in the interest of plot or character development, and for me, it detracted from what could have been a much richer exploration of the monster’s character and experiences.

Overall, it was an interesting read and I’m glad that I read it, but I’m just not sure it lived up to its full potential. show less

This book was disturbing & sad, yet the final few pages offered hope. I think the author did a fair turn to the extended tale of Frankenstein's creature -- the story from his viewpoint, picking up where Mary Shelley's original story stopped.

Both books (the original Frankenstein & this book) range between intense rage & immense sadness. They're just harrowing.

Fraught with tension, pulsing with suspense, Susan O’Keefe’s debut novel Frankenstein’s Monster, will have readers immobile from the moment they open this shocking story until they close the book utterly exhausted from sitting on the edge of their seat for the entire read. This brilliant author has given Dr. Frankenstein’s monster a whole new life with her sequel to Mary Shelley’s original story, and begins her tale right where Shelley left off with the monster leaping off Captain Walton’s ship in the arctic after he mourns the death of his “father”, Victor Frankenstein. Victor’s deathbed wish was for Captain Walton to pursue his quest, and kill the beast.

Ten years later, with the monster hiding in the Vatican show more catacombs, he narrates his story informing the reader that he has spent the past decade on the run, hounded and hunted by Captain Walton. When he can sense his killer once again coming closer, he flees to Venice where he falls in with a woman who he rescues from a rape attempt. Falling in love with Mirabella who does not shy away from his wretched appearance, fate intervenes again to rob him of his gift as Walton attacks and shoots her instead of the monster. Walton has turned mad, insane with revenge against the death of Dr. Frankenstein, and no longer possesses his mind. While the monster once more slips through his grasp, he takes up the trail again as the monster is now rabid with fury at losing Mirabella. As events turn this monster from quiet man to maniac, Frankenstein’s creation heads toward Walton’s family home intent on murdering them all, as he did years earlier with Victor’s father and sister when his promised bride was taken from him. However, fate turns the monster’s macabre plan from a murder mystery into a love story when he finds Walton’s beautiful niece Lily running with the hounds on a wind swept moor. She is a woman gone insane, but willingly accepts his patchwork face, and body made of many dead souls. Lily will have our monster’s head spinning with so many conflicting emotions that he soon begins to believe that for once he can walk among the living as a true man, and not an abomination that has people running in fear. Becoming fugitives on the run as Walton furiously pursues them without relent, Lily and the monster who now names himself Victor Hartmann, engage in a frightening cat and mouse game that leaves the reader questioning who is the hunter and who is the hunted as the roles reverse and time runs out before the game is up and many secrets are revealed.

Philosophy of what it truly means to be human, to have the needs and wants of all men, play a large part in this deeply moving drama of passion and pain. Love, hate, tragedy and violence, and moments sweet & tender, all bring tears of joy & heartache to the reader as they travel into the mind of the monster. Readers witness the depth of his heart that bursts with frustration and fear, yet turns gentle and heartfelt as he experiences what being human truly means.

Although this novel has some frightening moments, it is by far not a horror novel. The depth of the soul O’Keefe gives the monster, the deep rivers of pain and the swelling of his generous heart that she implants in his quilted body, amazed me from page to page as my eyes were riveted for hours in astonishment that an author could so successfully bring an old story back to life without ruining Shelley’s original masterpiece. A standing ovation for Susan Heyboer O’Keefe, she offers up an incredible piece of literature sure to hit the best-seller charts! show less

Captain Robert Walton cultivated a close relationship with Victor Frankenstein, so after Victor’s death he became distraught and then enraged. He holds the creature Victor created responsible for his friend’s death and takes up Victor’s vow to rid the world of the violent creature. The creature, contrary to what is believed about him, simply seeks peace and an accepting relationship with someone. He is constantly on the run from Walton until he decides to settle in Italy. A mute woman that he saved from being sold and raped decides to stay with them and act as his companion. Walton sees her as disgusting for having any sort of relationship with her and then kills her. Enraged and hurt, the creature vows to take his revenge on show more Walton’s family. Will this circle of revenge ever end? Will the creature ever find peace?

Frankenstein is one of my new favorite books and I have high expectations for novels that attempt to continue the story. This novel reaches and exceeds those expectations beautifully. Susan Heyboer O’Keefe’s style is similar to Shelley’s, but makes this new text her own with a different point of view. The entire narrative is presented as the creature’s diary, allowing him to express his depth of emotion and his innermost thoughts in his own voice. As with the original, his failures in creating sustainable relationships with other people break my heart. He isn’t just a mute monster, but a heartbroken man who lashes out when he is constantly rejected. Although he may commit atrocious acts, the reader sees his struggle and sympathizes with him. Walton grows to be more of a monster with his relentless pursuit, constant violence, and resistance to listening to reason.

My favorite part of the book is that it retains the interesting internal philosophical debate that is seen throughout Frankenstein. What is a person’s humanity dependant on? Of all the characters in the novel, I see the creature as the most human because of his willingness to accept anyone. He attempted a friendship with the lowest of the low of society and felt a kinship with them. Many of the other characters reject him based on his appearance and assume that he committed terrible acts when he did not. Even the woman he falls in love with who is undeniably beautiful proves to be one of the most monstrous and sociopathic characters.

I absolutely love Frankenstein’s Monster. Susan Heyboer O’Keefe treads the line between mimicking Shelley’s prose and keeping her own identity as an author beautifully. The story ranges from touching to tragic to violent and it all rings true. I look forward to seeing more from her. show less

Really great read... I thought the writing and overall feel of the book stayed true to the original. The story was also interesting and seemed like a perfectly plausible continuation of Shelley's novel. I really enjoyed the in-depth insight into the feelings and emotions of "the monster." Is there any difference between the "monster" and man and who really is the beast? I would recommend for anyone looking to evoke the tone and atmosphere of the old classic horror novels.

Have you ever wondered about what happened to the monster from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein? Well, just read Susan Heyboer O'Keefe's Frankenstein's Monster. I just finished the book and found it an easy read and enjoyable.