O'Keefe, Susan Heyboer. Frankenstein's Monster.

O'Keefe, Susan Heyboer Frankenstein's Monster
Three Rivers Press see Random House 2010 344p 15.00
978-0-307-71732-0 hs/adult E-BN


This novel is a sequel that takes place 10 years after the original. The monster is more articulate and sensitive now and is being pursued by the explorer Walton to avenge the death of Victor Frankenstein. The "monster" seeks his own revenge and romance, suspense and horror ensue in this gothic page turner that explores the meaning of humanity.
This novel is a sequel that takes place ten years after the original story. The "monster" is more articulate and sensitive now. He is being unrelentingly pursued by the Arctic explorer and friend of Victor Frankenstein, Walton, to avenge his death. Walton wants nothing more than to kill the monster. The monster plans to go to England to kill Walton's family for his own revenge at being chased around the globe and not being able to live life as a man. When he arrives at the estate of Walton's sister's family, he falls in love with Walton's niece, Lily, who is not what she seems. The monster, renamed Victor Hartmann, believes he can live as a man once Walton relents. He finds a brief respite from hatred while with the family, but it is short lived. He realizes that he is not accepted by anyone except Lily due to his horrid looks and his monstrous size. The subject of ╥humanity╙ reverberates throughout the story and the theme is true to the original. Like a bona fide gothic novel, this story offers romance, suspense, and horror and is a real 344 page turner that will lead the reader to read to the very end. The writing is impeccable and the characters are authentic to Shelley╒s depiction. There are scenes of bestiality, gore, and sex. It would do best in a high school and would be of interest to those students who have read the original (which was an AP English selection for our school). This title is recommended for Tristate Books of Note for 2011. Weinraub, Tina