Frankenstein
It had been so long since I read this, I barely remembered it, and since I have two other modern books that are "spun off" this classic that I want to read, I decided to reread this first.Done! I am beginning to wonder now if I actually DID read this book before - so much of it seemed new to me. But nevertheless - a classic worth reading or rereading. If all you know of Frankenstein is the movies - none of which I have ever seen - the book is a very different experience. The monster's (he has no name) point of view and sad experience of life is pretty much left out of any movie version, from what I can tell. But the themes of man's pride, arrogance, belief that he can create life and be like a god himself are firmly at the centre of this book. The agony of having no past, no future, and no love - this is the work of Victor Frankenstein's hand, in creating his monster. He gave no thought to what existence would be like for his creature, only wanted the glory of having actually created life. And for this achievement, he suffered, almost as much as the monster. Maybe more - he lost family, love, belonging - things his creation never had.
I'm very glad I read this, and recommend it highly. Now - on to one of the two "spin-offs" I have waiting, to see what story they tell!
