The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

 

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

Nan A. Talese/Doubleday

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780385530842

353 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

2ND REVIEW. 1ST REVIEW IS HERE.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



After Victor Frankenstein goes to London to study at Oxford, he meets Percy Bysshe Shelley. They become fast friends, but with Shelley's radical views, will Victor get an idea that will put him on the road to darkness?

This is the second time I'm reviewing this because I want to. :X Actually, I'm re-doing some (most) of my reviews so that I can make them (hopefully) better. With this one, I will compare it to the original a little bit more.

Anyways, in this retelling of Frankenstein, Peter Ackroyd makes it out so that a fictional character actually knows historically accurate people. I still find that part of this part kind of intriguing, and it also made this book rather interesting than if the author just told it through Victor Frankenstein's and a little bit from his monster's perspective. However, now that I read the original, I don't know what perspective is better since they both were interesting, so they both get equal points in that.

Although how both Mary Shelley and Peter Ackroyd told the story gets equal points, the descriptions and the growth of the characters actually goes to Peter Ackroyd. With Mary Shelley's, it is mostly someone re-telling Frankenstein's story as Frankenstein tells him it, so the growth and descriptions really don't have that much to grow. So, basically, I like how Peter Ackroyd tells it because the way he makes the characters grow appeals to me more than the original. Also, in Ackroyd's version, the person who turned out to be the "monster" was someone Victor Frankenstein knew and maybe even friends with. I found that also very interesting and even gave the monster even more of an identity than Shelley's version. The characters are also completely different in Ackroyd's version. It has the same thing happen to a character in each book, but the circumstance and character are off. I also like how Ackroyd did his version in that aspect as well since it had a little bit more depth and development than the original.

Let's see, some other things that are different, but I wish Ackroyd put in his version. In Mary Shelley's version, I actually felt like crying and feeling pity towards both Frankenstein and his monster. However, with Ackroyd's version, it had less emotion. Also, the ending is more disappointing and confusing than the original. The ending in the original is more emotional and appeals more to me.

Now that I had a chance to read the original, I think it would have been better if some of the original's aspects, like some of the emotion, was in this book. So, I rated it a four stars this time because, despite the original re-telling thing, I like the emotion and ending of the original Frankenstein more.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Peter Ackroyd
Goodreads: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd
Library Thing: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd
New York Times Book Review: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
A Study of Reading Habits: Peter Ackroyd - The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
Everything of Something: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Introduction by Diane Johnson

 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Introduction by Diane Johnson

Bantam Dell

Published in 1818. Republished in 1967, 1981, and 2003

ISBN 0553212478

216 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



While voyaging through unexplored regions of the ocean where only ice dwells, Robert Walton discovers something more than new regions. He finds a man, Victor Frankenstein, on top of an ice raft. Robert finds a friend in Victor, but he finds out that sometimes knowledge is better left alone through Victor's story --- where Victor was in the same pursuit of knowledge and created a "monster" from it.

Okay, not really a good summary, but it will do. I checked out Frankenstein from my library because I wanted to compare it with The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd, which I will (re) read after I finish this review. :)

Anyways, the version of Frankenstein that I read has an introduction by Diane Johnson, author's introduction and a preface by Marlow before the beginning of the actual story part. I read all those, so I will mention how informative and good they are, of course. However, it is up to you, if you read this version, whether or not you want to read them or not. With the introduction by Diane Johnson, it was very err... informative. She writes information over Mary Shelley's life and how she kind of incorporate it in her story. It also talked about some of the themes that are in the book, so if you want to draw your own conclusions, don't read the introduction all the way. Anyways, I find it interesting, and it saved me some time because I didn't have to research Mary Shelley's life. Anyways, don't read it, read it up to you. ;) Next is the author's introduction. This is where Mary Shelley explains how she got the idea, why she wrote it, and things like that. Not really necessary to read, but it is interesting. Last is the preface by Marlow, where he explains the feelings he had over Frankenstein and makes over comments. Out of all the intro parts, I would say that the preface is the least necessary one, and it is only kind of interesting. However, it is up to you whether or not to read them. :D

Anyways, onto the main part of the novel and what I thought about it. ;) This novel is told by Robert Walton through letters to his sister, Margaret. Through these letters he retells the story of Victor Frankenstein as Victor tells it to him in some sort of lesson format. Why do I say a lesson format? Hmm... Because like Victor, Robert wants to further scientific discovery, and (I think) Victor wants him to learn that with discovery comes some consequences as he found out the hard way. There are other lessons like you shouldn't judge someone by how they look because you never know how good they are on the inside. Also, if you treat them harshly just because of their looks, you don't know how they will react and take it out on someone else. And I guess another one of the lessons is that you shouldn't create something (like life/a child) if you are just going to abandon and hate it. :( Like I said, a lot of lessons about moral compasses and how you should think before you act, and I like how the author makes all these lessons visible and pull your heart to it.

Now for the things that are both good and bad. Another thing I like is how the descriptions just pull you into the book, and you can just imagine how it might look like, but it does kind of get tiring to read all them to the point where you just skip over it. So, the descriptions are both a good thing and bad thing since there are so many of them. And I think that's all the things that are both good and bad. Now, this could be good or bad to you, depending how you are, but I don't think it was really "horror" since I didn't drop the book and run away. I don't like horror since I get scared a little too easily sometimes, so the book being kind of horrorless might appeal to some of you.

While I loved the lessons, descriptions, and emotions the novel tries to surface on you, I didn't like how disappointing it was, and how empty some of the actions were. But then again, I think this book is more a "lesson" one than an action or any other type of book. Though, I was still disappointed on how it ended and the lack of details of the actual experiment and other actions, which is why it is rated 4 out of 5. Though, even though it is sort of disappointing and leaves you wanting more, it leaves enough to make you think about things you normally wouldn't or try not to. Also, the character development doesn't happen that often in Mary Shelley's version, so the book is disappointing on that end as well. However, you feel sorry for both Victor and the monster on both ends --- and feel like they are both stupid in their ways of thinking.

Overall, the disappointment is a little bit overshadowed by how it makes you think how humane you really are. Also, the lessons it teaches and the emotions it shows leaves a strange mark on your heart. I definitely will read it again because of the emotions it brings out, that is, if I ever decide to re-read it. Though, I don't think I will check out the same book because this one is kind of falling apart. :X

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Mary Shelley
Goodreads: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Introduction by Diane Johnson
Library Thing: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Introduction by Diane Johnson
The Lost Entwife: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Introduction by Diane Johnson

Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth B. Brown

 

Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth B. Brown

Revell

Published in 1999. Republished in 2010.

ISBN 9780800732882

244 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

BOUGHT THE BOOK AS A GIFT, BUT READ BEFORE GIVING AWAY.
BOUGHT THE BOOK THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Elizabeth B. Brown attempts to help you deal with people who you might considered "Screwed-Up" in your relationships. She uses sayings, personal experiences and stories, and insights from her own life and others to show you how to deal with people who have made your life a living hell.

All right, I'll tell you what I thought about the book. This book, like almost all non-fiction "how to fix your life books", starts out with convincing you why you should read their book in order to help you live better lives. And it also starts answering the question of how you can live someone you considered "screwed-up" without severing a relationship by mentioning common things she sees in her grief conferences --- and even mentions something about her daughter. Out of the three non-fiction help books I got, this one is the one that got me more pumped up/anxious about what kind of advice the author is going to give you just by reading the introduction part. Another thing I like about the introduction is that when she mentions her daughter's disease, she calls it a "challenge", instead of calling it a burden or a handicap --- like what most people call others who have diseases, including mentally/physically challenged people. So, right off the bat, I agree with most of her views and how I should view things in life. ^^ The only thing I wasn't too sure of is when she said to consider the "screwed-up" person as a challenge, not a burden. ^^;

Throughout the book, the author has nice little sayings and comparisons --- most of them made me giggle and think how most of them match real life almost perfectly. However, some of the things mentioned in the books are things you kind of know already, but you don't really acknowledge since your emotions run wild whenever you deal with someone you care about and can't think straight or acknowledge common sense. It kind of reminded me of someone, a friend on the Internet, who said to me, "I don't know why they call it common sense, especially when it isn't really that common." That is kind of true when you think about it. :D Even some of the things mentioned in the book made me think about my personality and how it interacts with everyone else's. The author even points out how the person who you think is screwed-up might think you are the one who's screwed-up because you are different from them --- like the reason, most likely, you think that person is screwed-up. So, it might even help the screwed-up person, if you give the book to them --- maybe, slight chance of it.

Basically, I think this book has good advice, especially if you want to keep up the relationship with the person. That is, if you listen and remember the advice in the book. ^^; It also helps and encourages you to live your own life --- by your own morals. ;) The only thing I didn't like about the book is how the author kept on putting the screwed-up person as a woman/girl, even though it might be accurate that most of them are women. *COUGHS*

Oh, the medical category is added because it mentions how ailing relationships can make you ill, which was really interesting in my opinion. :) Another thing, there isn't that much God or prayer thing mentioned, but it does have a chapter about faith --- which mentions God and how too much or too little faith might actually be bad for you. I also liked this part. A very good read, I just have to remember some of these things. :D

Out of the three books I got, I found this one and When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up to be the most helpful and insightful. If this is how all the help books this publisher publishes are, I think I will order all the help books I need from them. :X

I recommended this book for anyone and everyone since it give you good things to think about.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Elizabeth B. Brown
Goodreads: Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth Brown
Library Thing: Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth Brown
My Inner Muse: Do you live with screwed up people...?

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

 

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

Nan A. Talese/Doubleday

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780385530842

353 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



When Victor Frankenstein goes to London to study at Oxford, he meets Percy Bysse Shelley, and they form a friendship. Will this radical thinker change Victor's musings into creating life. If he succeeds this madness, what will befall him and those around him?

In this retelling of Frankenstein, Peter Ackroyd makes it out so that Victor Frankenstein, a fictional character, actually knows Percy Bysshe Shelley, Godwin, Lord Byron, John Polidori, and even Mary Shelley, historically accurate people. I find that part of this part kind of intriguing, and it also made this book rather interesting than if the author just told it through Victor Frankenstein's and a little bit from his monster's perspective.

The description and characters' personality were all wonderful, but whether it is from solely from this author, borrowed from Mary Shelley, or a combination of his and Mary Shelley's works, I wouldn't know. Reading this retelling has made me want to read the original writing of the novel, so I can compare and see how much is his and how much is from the original. Also, the person who turned out to be the "monster" was someone Victor Frankenstein knew and maybe even friends with. I found that also very interesting and even gave the monster even more of an identity.

Let's see, I don't really know what I didn't like about the book, but the ending may be a little disappointing and unfulfilled for some (most) people. To me, the ending is only a little disappointing and unfinished, but the ending is still a little bit intriguing. Also, I think the ending of this book differs from the original. I'm not sure. :|

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Peter Ackroyd
Goodreads: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd
Library Thing: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd
New York Times Book Review: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
A Study of Reading Habits: Peter Ackroyd - The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
Everything of Something: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

Sweetblood by Pete Hautman

 

Sweetblood by Pete Hautman

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Published in 2003

ISBN 0689850484

180 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Lucy Szabo is a teenage diabetic, and she has a very original theory about vampires. To her, they exist, but not in the usual way, she thinks original vampires were actually slowly dying diabetics before the discovery of insulin. Online, her nickname is Sweetblood, and she visits a Transylvania chat room, where "vampires" goes to discuss anything goth or vampire. However, there is one person different from everyone else that goes there and claims to be a real vampire, and she's not totally sure he's kidding. As she becomes more involved with vampires, goths, and that online guy, her life begins to turn for the worse --- failing classes, bad relationship with her parents, and even the ability to regulate her blood sugar worsens. What will happen when the online guy finds her and invites her to his strange world? Is he just a stalker? Or, is he really a vampire? Will she be able to make the choices she needs to in order to become the person she knows she is?

This isn't really a vampire book since it only really talks about theories of how the vampire legends came about.

I like how the author came up with a theory that vampires were untreated diabetics was very creative and different from anything I have heard before. Plus, it gives an awareness of how much medical technology has developed. Also, it points out how several people who would have died is still alive due to technology, so they are considered "undead". And also, it gives a sense of personal encouragement that even if you think you can't change yourself, you can if you just think about it.

Anyways, it's a pretty good book that points out new thinking and things like that. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:


Pete Hautman
Goodreads: Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
Library Thing: Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
Teen Book Review: Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
NBPL Teen Book Blog: Sweetblood by Pete Hautman

Midwives: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian

 

Midwives: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian
Vintage Books
Published in 1997
ISBN 0375706771
374 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Sibyl Danforth, a midwife in rural Vermont, has made the mistake of accidentally killing her patient, one she thought died, in order to save the baby. Now she faces the law, doctors, and her own conscience in order to prove that her patient really was dead before she did the emergency c-section on the mother. What will the jury deciding her fate pick? Guilty? Or, not guilty?

Been awhile since I have read this, so I will try to make a semi-decent review out of it.

The story is told through the eyes of Sibyl's daughter and includes entries from Sibyl's journal. It has a mixture of law, medical, family problems, and other interesting things.Also, the description in this book is very well done, and you can tell that the author did a lot of research before jumping into writing the book.

There are some parts where you want to break down and cry, and a couple of times, where you actually want to read ahead and find out the outcome --- since the court parts were kind of boring and exciting at the same time. ^^;

I definitely recommend this book. It has a little bit of everything for everyone, though, there are some things that children definitely shouldn't read about in it. It is also perfect for any class that is studying ethics or anyone who is planning on going into the medical field.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Chris Bohjalian
Goodreads: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
Library Thing: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
The Lost Entwife: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
Croak: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian

Asylum by Patrick McGrath

 

Asylum by Patrick McGrath

Vintage Books (Imprint of Random House)

Published in 1997

ISBN 0679781382

254 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



When Stella Raphael's husband, Max, takes a job at a maximum-security mental hospital in the English countryside, she meets Edgar Stark, a patient who murdered his wife, and starts an affair with him. This love affair hurts many around her, however, how will her sanity take to this mismatched affair? How many lives will her selfishness destroy in the process of finding what she truly wants?

Not a supernatural book, but a medical fiction -- another kind of book I like.

Except for the fact that it kind of jumps around too much, it is a pretty good book. Either it was the jumping around or the change from general medicine to psychotherapy gave me too much of a headache. :(

Stella reminds me of too many girls (women) who I have ever met, and if she is considered "insane", does that mean they are also insane? Hmmm... Guess so... Of course, I already knew that half the girls I have met are insane. :P

Anyways, this book has mature themes in it; so don't read if you have a problem with affairs, violence, murder, etc. This book has a lot of issues. >.> Also, the ending is also kind of bad, but if you enjoy sad endings, go ahead and read it -- you'll like it if you love sad endings.

Personally, I hated the ending and the book because, well, it matches real life almost exactly. I like my books with a little bit more fantasy and excitement put into it. :( However, the writing of the author is really good. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Patrick McGrath
Goodreads: Asylum by Patrick McGrath
Library Thing: Asylum by Patrick McGrath
Coffee and a Book Chick: Asylum by Patrick McGrath