Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Pavan | Marlboro High School, Grade 11

Rating: ****

Frankenstein is a timeless classic that has the power to send shivers down your spine! The novel, first written in 1818, takes the reader through the unique family and upbringing of Victor Frankenstein. Amazed, yet puzzled by the wonders of the human body, Frankenstein completes gruesome and unusual experiments to quench his hunger for the truth and for god-like superiority over the human figure. However, he must face the consequences when he reanimates a newly formed, hideous human figure. When the monster begins to wreak havoc on Victor’s life, he must put an end to his problems - by trying to end the monster.

Frankenstein set a standard that so many horror-genre authors have been unable to beat. Rather than with violence, Mary Shelley was able to stir fear and apprehension within the reader through implied suspense. It isn’t about what happened, but what will happen. I believe that Frankenstein is a book that everyone should read at least once in their life. Of course, the early 19th century English is occasionally a tad bit difficult to understand, but once the meaning gets across, it is truly a book to cherish. Most teenagers would not choose to pick up this book and read, but I believe that reading this novel is more of an experience rather than just a story. This book is sure to send chills down your spine and have you looking over your back more often than not!

Xitlaly | Raritan High School, Grade 11

Rating: *****

While many have heard about the infamous monster, Frankenstein, but not many know the origin story. Victor Frankenstein's "monstrous" creation comes alive after an experiment driven by his fascination of dead organisms. The novel portrays the origins of the originally innocent monster and the unnecessary deception it faced that turned it into a true monster. Throughout the book, the reader experiences the deception and prejudice the monster faced solely based on his looks. Throughout the novel, the reader experiences the cruelty the monster faces while also realizing the harsh treatment he faced. As one reads the novel, they are reminded about the importance of kindness as well as the insignificance that appearances should have on society. The reader follows the chaos that stems from Victor Frankenstein's deception, betrayal and resentment towards the monster. However, the novel makes the reader question what it really means to be a monster. As a result, the reader must question who really was the monster in the story regardless of appearances, as they can always be deceiving.

I enjoyed reading this book not because of the cruelty but because of the emphasis on the importance of kindness. Victor's reluctance to accept the monster due to his “grotesque” features contributed to the motives the monster had in the chaos that followed. It was so interesting to witness the dynamic relationships in the novel as they were constantly changing. It was also interesting finding out the origins of a proclaimed monster in pop culture. Watching the initially innocent "monster" turn into a true monster because of everything it went through reminded me of the backgrounds many can have. Overall, Mary Shelley does a wonderful job of bringing the story to life and makes the reader want to continue reading while also questioning the concepts of a monster.