What are Readers Saying About Frankenstein?

             Many of the reader reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble are mixed in terms of reader opinions and critiques. Reading through them I have found readers that highly recommend the novel, referring to it as innovative, classic, striking, and enjoyable. On the contrary, there are readers that are very cynical and refer to the book as ridiculous, detestable, horrible, and unreadable.

            Most of the reviews I found were concentrated on Goodreads with numerous lengthy reviews, some attesting to the book’s excellence, some summarizing the novel, and others criticizing the plot, characters, word use, and Hollywood’s portrayal. One reader criticized the novel stating, "It's been almost 30 years since I've detested a book this much…” (Hannah, 2009), meanwhile two other readers commended the book commenting, “This truly is a classic tale of social insight, a story of one seeking acceptance and desiring companionship…” (Michael, 2012) and “[Frankenstein] has the greatest pursuit in fiction” (Zaki, 2012). Many criticisms about the novel’s characters focus on Victor and the creature with one reader writing, “I also found it almost ridiculous the creature could not only remain hidden long enough to learn and sponge off the family in the cottage, but to also become such an eloquent speaker” (Christina, 2007), a second reader wrote, “speaking of tools, Victor Frankenstein is a giant one” (Stephen, 2012). What I found on Goodreads that I did not come across on Amazon or Barnes and Noble was reader’s connections to Hollywood’s portrayal. Some interesting reader comments about Hollywood’s depiction include: “Dear Hollywood…please learn to read and get yourself a copy of the source material” (Stephen, 2012), “…no film version of Mary Shelley's novel has ever gotten the themes or the characters straight” (Charity, 2008), and lastly, “Blast the media for making me think all these years that Frankenstein is a horror story” (Angus, 2012).

            Amazon had few reader reviews but the few that were present centered on criticism of the novel. One review criticizes Victor stating, “Dr. Victor Frankenstein, is an incredibly irritating character and completely ruined what could have been an incredible story. He seems to have the attention span of an intoxicated gnat, and his feelings swing from pole to pole in an instant” (Maggie McGovney, 2012), a second reader states, “I also had some issues with the writing style and verbage” (Lisa, 2012), and lastly the third commenter interjects, “More time describing the surroundings of Europe than the reason for traveling. . .” (Bernie, 2012).

            Barnes and Noble, like Amazon, has minimal reviews but instead the majority are in favor of the novel’s ingenuity and depth. Reviews include, “an eye opener” (Anonymous, 2001), “a great read” (Anonymous, 2011), and “best thriller I have read all year” (Anonymous, 2001).

            In conclusion, there were many mixed reviews from readers on all three book review sites. Half of the readers fell in love with Mary Shelley’s craftsmanship while others despised her character development, use of words, and the plot.

Works Cited

Angus. “The Fame Monster.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Anonymous. “How I Felt About Frankenstein.” Barnes and Noble. Barnsandnoble.com. Web. December 6, 2012.

Anonymous. “Outstanding Thriller that has an end that is Suspenseful!!” Barnes and Noble. Barnesandnoble.com. Web. December 6, 2012.

Anonymous. “Great book!” Barnes and Noble. Barnesandnoble.com. Web. December 6, 2012.

Bernie. “Cursed, cursed creator.” Amazon. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Charity. “Frankenstein.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Christina. “Frankenstein.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Hannah. “Frankenstein: Or the Modern Prometheus.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Lisa. “Frankenstein.” Amazon. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Maggie McGovney. “Frankenstein’s monster has more brains.” Amazon. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Michael. “Frankenstein.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012. Stephen.

“Frankenstein.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.

Zaki. “Frankenstein.” Goodreads. Goodreads Inc. Web. December 6, 2012.