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svmreads's Reviews (412)
Victor Frankenstein’s Sad Boi Hours: A Review
First off, let me just say that Mary Shelley is an excellent writer. The world building she did was exquisite and immersive. She also was a tremendously interesting person and I would love to read her journal entries. The particular copy of the book I had included a biography of Shelley’s life and her influences which was nice. Additionally, it cannot be overlooked that this book was and continues to be a tremendous influence on science fiction.
However, I can’t get past the fact that I have zero sympathy for Victor Frankenstein. I get all of the thematic elements of the story around Frankenstein’s creation, but he spends so much of the story lamenting when he could have prevented literally 100% of the murders from occurring if he had been nicer to his creation or he didn’t make the creation in the first place. Especially towards the end when the monster gave Frankenstein the warning that he would see him on his wedding night, maybe he should have warned Elizabeth about it! Also, why did he make the monster way more athletic than he was? Seems like a foolish decision to me.
Maybe I’m not reading this story correctly, and I definitely would have benefitted from reading this in an academic setting where the logic behind Frankenstein’s actions and emotions could have been explained to me better, but I give this book four stars for the world building and literary importance, minus one star for Victor Frankenstein’s continual moping and inaction.
First off, let me just say that Mary Shelley is an excellent writer. The world building she did was exquisite and immersive. She also was a tremendously interesting person and I would love to read her journal entries. The particular copy of the book I had included a biography of Shelley’s life and her influences which was nice. Additionally, it cannot be overlooked that this book was and continues to be a tremendous influence on science fiction.
However, I can’t get past the fact that I have zero sympathy for Victor Frankenstein. I get all of the thematic elements of the story around Frankenstein’s creation, but he spends so much of the story lamenting when he could have prevented literally 100% of the murders from occurring if he had been nicer to his creation or he didn’t make the creation in the first place. Especially towards the end when the monster gave Frankenstein the warning that he would see him on his wedding night, maybe he should have warned Elizabeth about it! Also, why did he make the monster way more athletic than he was? Seems like a foolish decision to me.
Maybe I’m not reading this story correctly, and I definitely would have benefitted from reading this in an academic setting where the logic behind Frankenstein’s actions and emotions could have been explained to me better, but I give this book four stars for the world building and literary importance, minus one star for Victor Frankenstein’s continual moping and inaction.
Female Lines: New Writing By Women From Northern Ireland
Dawn Miranda Sherratt-Bado, Linda Anderson
I bought this book when I was in Belfast and after picking it up and putting it down for more than a year I finally finished it today! It’s a great read that highlights a variety of writing styles from female authors in Northern Ireland. Personal favorites included all of the essays (personal bias but they were all wonderful and insightful), “Glass Girl” by Bernie McGill, and “The Sixtieth Year of Horror Stories” by Moyra Donaldson.
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This isn’t the type of book I would normally read, but I got a free copy and I was intrigued, so why not?
The first two parts of this book were entertaining, but the third part was what made this book truly excellent. I loved how Nick and Rachel’s romance paralleled Astrid and Michael’s, and the characters were all well written. Kwan also does such a splendid job of developing the scenery with his attention to detail.
A great read for anyone!
The first two parts of this book were entertaining, but the third part was what made this book truly excellent. I loved how Nick and Rachel’s romance paralleled Astrid and Michael’s, and the characters were all well written. Kwan also does such a splendid job of developing the scenery with his attention to detail.
A great read for anyone!
I wasn’t expecting this book to have as much of an impact on me as it did, because it’s so short and I knew most of the plot going in. However, Orwell achieves a memorable, essential read with Animal Farm. It’s impossible to not feel sadness and anger at Boxer’s ultimate fate or at all of Squealer’s lies. Also, that last paragraph with the pigs and humans all looking the same was very well written.
I did notice that some themes of 1984 appear in Animal Farm, notably with all of Squealer’s twisting of the truth. However, I actually do think this is better executed in Animal Farm than in 1984. Since the book is shorter and is a “fairy-story,” I think it has a greater impact than in 1984, where Orwell hammers this theme throughout the book. While 1984 most certainly is a pessimistic and grim reading of society (which I also recommend), the details can get a bit drawn out. In Animal Farm, the book’s length and simplicity hit on Orwell’s anti-totalitarianism more effectively.
Also, justice for Boxer!!
I did notice that some themes of 1984 appear in Animal Farm, notably with all of Squealer’s twisting of the truth. However, I actually do think this is better executed in Animal Farm than in 1984. Since the book is shorter and is a “fairy-story,” I think it has a greater impact than in 1984, where Orwell hammers this theme throughout the book. While 1984 most certainly is a pessimistic and grim reading of society (which I also recommend), the details can get a bit drawn out. In Animal Farm, the book’s length and simplicity hit on Orwell’s anti-totalitarianism more effectively.
Also, justice for Boxer!!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated