2015 Halloween Challenge discussion

So I finished Frankenstein today! I'm so happy to have finally read it. For me, it started off very interesting, sort of waned, then got interesting again, then waned again, then ended. Does anybody else feel that way?

Did it seem to wane whenever the Creature wasn't around? I only really feel that way near the end, back into the frame story.

Phillip wrote: "Did it seem to wane whenever the Creature wasn't around? I only really feel that way near the end, back into the frame story."

Yeah I have to admit I was much more interested when the story was being told from the creature's point of view. I also liked Walton's point of view. I thought he was quite interesting. But Frankenstein's parts, although some of it had me hooked, sometimes went on a bit for me.

Maybe the creature really does have amazing powers of persuasion.

I feel like I say this about a lot of books atm, but this is really one of my all time favourite books. It has it's parts here the story is a bit stagnant, but then you have all the amazing descriptions of the nature, and the world they see. I just find it utterly fabulous.

But then again, this is a Romantic Novel, and they tended to go on and on about the scenery, and the emotions, and that's not everyone favourite part in a book.

What did you think of the epistolary aspect? Did you ever think about how it was being told? Walton as the narrator, telling the story through Victor and the Creature? Did you think it worked, or was it something you didn't really notice?

Kristi wrote: "I feel like I say this about a lot of books atm, but this is really one of my all time favourite books. It has it's parts here the story is a bit stagnant, but then you have all the amazing descrip..."

I loved the description of nature, I just thought Frankenstein sometimes got a bit repetitive when he was talking about his emotions.

Yeah I thought it was quite interesting that it was told that way through three perspectives. At first I didn't understand why Walton was needed, but at the end it makes sense (it should have been obvious looking back, but I didn't catch on :'D)

Kristi wrote: "I feel like I say this about a lot of books atm, but this is really one of my all time favourite books. It has it's parts here the story is a bit stagnant, but then you have all the amazing descrip..."

I loved the description of nature, but for me Frankenstein sometimes got a bit repetitive when he was talking about his emotions.

Yeah I thought it was quite interesting that it was told that way through three perspectives. At first I didn't understand why Walton was needed, but at the end it makes sense (it should have been obvious looking back, but I didn't catch on :'D)

Abbie wrote: "Kristi wrote: "I feel like I say this about a lot of books atm, but this is really one of my all time favourite books. It has it's parts here the story is a bit stagnant, but then you have all the ..."

I just finished Frankenstein and really enjoyed the story, but I agree that it felt a bit repetitive/boring in the middle. It might be because I already knew what was going to happen? Especially when leading up to what happened with Elizabeth.

I like the epistolary aspect, but am less certain about the way it was divided. It felt a lot like a play (that could be because I listened to it on audiobook) - carefully contrived and delivered to the point where it was a little forced. I think it worked at the time, but it would be difficult to pull off now, when books are generally trying to feel more realistic, organic, face-paced, etc.

There were some great passages about nature, emotions, and philosophical thoughts on humanity - that's what I enjoyed most about it. It was so well-written and imaginative in this respect that this overpowered any qualms I had with the style and pacing.

Morgan wrote: "Abbie wrote: "Kristi wrote: "I feel like I say this about a lot of books atm, but this is really one of my all time favourite books. It has it's parts here the story is a bit stagnant, but then you..."

You've summed up how I feel about it so well. I think the form is a little forced for readers today. I can't really speak for readers in the past but from the few other spooky stories I've read this October that were written at a similar time, it seemed to be a well used format, so maybe it's what readers then would expect.

I really do admire this for its imagination and there's no denying that it's an idea that captured the fears of the time and it's still used today! I find that pretty incredible!

I just finished Frankenstein! And that was one of the more difficult books I ever had to finish. The descriptions of nature were absolutely lovely. However, I found the story stagnant when the creature wasn't around. And he wasn't around for much of the story... I still can't believe Frankenstein would create a monster and then should let it go off on its own! I also don't think I enjoyed the story as much as I could have because I didn't feel emotionally invested in any of the characters. There wasn't technically anything wrong with the story. I just couldn't bring myself to root for anybody.

On a side note; I didn't expect the storyline at all! I feel like I've been lied to by pop culture my entire life!

Rachael wrote: "I just finished Frankenstein! And that was one of the more difficult books I ever had to finish. The descriptions of nature were absolutely lovely. However, I found the story stagnant when the crea..."

Yeah I feel similar. There was nothing technically wrong with it but I was way too interested in the Creature rather than Frankenstein!

I didn't expect the storyline either, especially the ending!