ARE WE ALWAYS TO BE UNHAPPY?

HE IS SO GENTLE, YET SO WISE
All my reviews are aimed at people like me. I would like to be a top reviewer and have lots of followers, but I can not whore myself out and talk about how great this is. I am a blue collar worker who drinks beer, watches football and likes books with violence and sex. This is a great story because of it's history. Re-animation is a great subject and Shelly started it all. That is where it ends. This is a tragedy, full of TEARS. While I love the language for short periods of time, the constant whining and crying is grating. Victor Frankenstein is one of the biggest babies ever. If you are anything like me, you will not be able to stand this.

Dan Stevens is an excellent acting narrator, I hope to hear him in other works.

143 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not what I expected

I purchased this book expecting a great story about a giant monster and the struggle to kill it. What I found was one of the greatest, and most emotionally complex stories I've ever read. By the end, I came to the inescapable conclusion that the villain/monster of the story is Frankenstein, not his creature. The creature is the victim. The victim of a creator so consumed with selfishness he abandoned his creation because of how the creation made him feel. Taken in proper context, the actions of the creature are understandable, but not excusable. There is always personal responsibility. But there is a modicum of understanding for the creature, abandoned to his fate by a cruel and selfish creator, who seeks vengeance on his creator for denying to the creature what he enjoys.

104 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Amazing!

I've never liked to read and am new to audio books, so I don't have much of a basis for comparison, but this was incredible. The voices and feeling of the reader brought to the story a life that I would have never experienced had I tried to read it myself. I understand why this is a classic. It's an exquisite, deep tale of love, pain, and regret. Everyone should hear it.

68 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

a very good reading of a classic tale

I always knew it was a book that influenced other works, but I now see that Frankenstein is one of the most complete and best stories of its kind (specifically, horror stories and stories about men toying with God's powers).

Also, narration was fantastic. Dan Stevens reads perfectly and his different voices are incredibly good and consistent. At one point, I went to look up whether the narrator was actually German because I heard these perfect little hints of accent during the chapters that are narrated by Victor Frankenstein. Yet during the chapters narrated by the monster, he does another voice that makes it immediately clear not only who is speaking, but that conveys really well the monster's unique mix of seductiveness and horror, sophistication and ignorance, misery and malice. Likewise for all other speakers in the book.

53 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A great listen

What made the experience of listening to Frankenstein the most enjoyable?

I think Dan Stevens is one of the best audiobook performers I have ever heard. He brought this story to life. It was so easy to just get into the story and actually have sympathy for both Frankenstein and the monster he created. I did not expect that as I have always thought of this book as a horror story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The monster. I felt sorry for him and was surprised by that. When he told his story, the reader could understand how alone he felt . He enjoyed the beauty of the earth was eager to learn about the world and the people he encountered. He just wanted to be loved like everyone else, but that would never happen so he did indeed become a monster.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I enjoyed listening to it a bit each night or in my car on the way to work.

Any additional comments?

You will come away with a new appreciation for this beautifully written work.

43 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

SUPERB IN EVERY WAY

I never had the opportunity to read Mary Shelley's classic horror story but listening to the incredible narration by Dan Stevens was a fantastic way to experience this masterful piece of writing. The book is at turns exciting, action-packed, sad and dramatic. Dan Stevens' nuanced performance captures every mood from every character. Three months after listening to this book and I'm still thinking about it. This could be my favorite Audible book of all time.

32 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

What, no Bride of Frankenstein?

I have watched several Frankenstein movies and always thought I knew the story. Boy was I ever wrong. I did not know how lyrical and poetic the story really is. Mary Shelly's book is a wonderful story. I love Dan Stevens' narration as he made the story come alive.

23 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not the 1818 version..

Got this to follow along with the physical text of the 1818 version, but this isn’t it. It’s definitely more elaborate and it makes it difficult to match up where you are in the text.. but if you’re just getting it to listen, go for it!

22 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

For another person

This book was written for another time period. And I found myself wanting the story to progress faster. It was verbose, and I guess my taste in books are different. I don't regret hearing it, but I will not do so again.

17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great story. Great performance.

I had to read this book for my AP literature class, and it is by far the best book I have read for an English class so far. Mary Shelley was far ahead of her time, on terms of her insights into human nature. The narration was very good as well. Dan Stevens does a good job of creating a unique voice for each character.

17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile