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When I hear the name "Frankenstein" I immediately think of a large man with green-tinged skin, bloodshot eyes and bolts in his neck. This Frankenstein shows up by the hundreds on Halloween each year. Or I think of the PBS show Wishbone and the episode where Shelley's Frankenstein was brought to life (Wishbone the dog played Dr. Frankenstein). Both are rather playful renditions of the deeply moving human story that is Shelley's novel. I think the popularized image of the "monster" discount the author's brilliance and the powerful message behind the story.

I greatly enjoyed this book. Every person has a hunger of sorts in them to create something entirely new or push the boundaries within their chosen field. Dr. Frankenstein was a scientist who applied his entire education (some of it misinformed) to what he thought was a necessary breakthrough and worthwhile achievement for chemistry and all of the sciences. It raises the question of whether or not it is ever permissible to play God, no matter how noble the cause may seem.

The monster is the most puzzling and emotionally riveting character, you pity him then empathize with him and over the course of time in spite of his wrongs come to root for him. His humanity is the most richly developed and yet it is understood that he is technically the least human character in the book. His comprehension of human value should inform our own.