Book Review: Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus

Frankenstein: A staggering novel that narrates the detrimental nature of over-reaching knowledge of Human beings.

About

Originally published in 1818, Frankenstein, or "The Modern Prometheus" is considered the first real work of fiction. Mary Shelly is a well-known author for her work on travel, adventure, and poem. The novel is about a scientist Victor who gives life to dead flesh. This action led to a dramatic chain of events that endangers his own life and, by extension, his family's lives. Will his excessive knowledge save him from the possible danger, or would his pale misunderstanding of emotions make his life miserable?

Plot

The plot commences with letters that a sailor wrote to his sister about his encounter with Victor Frankenstein and it proceeds with the narrative of Victor's childhood and early adolescence when he showed a great deal of interest in natural philosophy. Inspired by one of his professors, he conducts experiments to re-animate flesh and create a new being. Little did he know that the abandoned creature would gain knowledge about the world and be a threat to his own kind. Who will win the battle? Mankind or the man-made creature?

My Thoughts

From the beginning, the author's elegant use of language and imagination was splendid. Victor's early development of interest in natural philosophy and his pursuit of excellence was well portrayed. Details of his creation of the monster are limited. Maybe the author wanted to depict the creature along with the storyline in which she succeeds. The murder mystery goes well, although Victor's reaction to seeing the monster is unconvincing. It's overstated, which begs the question: "Didn't you animate a living being out of the flesh" The monster's experience in the wild and the acquisition of knowledge is fitting, and his overall character development is incredible. The description of the family in the cottage, from whom the Monster acquires his knowledge, could have been a low-key version of what is in the book. The emotions portrayed by the monster make the reader want to sympathize with the monster, but at the same time, it's feels unfair to Victor's family. Story ending was expected but the book raises the question of hierarchy put forth by the Monster in a lush manner. Novel overall makes us question the extent to which knowledge can be dangerous and I would say that the Novel is way ahead of time. I recommend this book to everyone interested in fiction and want to get a taste of classical writing.