Frankenstein

Review of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 1818

Unfortunately, I really had to drag myself through endless exceedingly long-winded discussions of Victor Frankenstein's state of mind, as he endlessly dithered over what he thought, and what he would do, and where he would go, and how long he would delay, etc. etc. etc. The discussion of the "monster's" life in the cottage is the main redeeming feature of the novel.

I rated Frankenstein 1 star. I was unwilling to give it 1/2 star because I reserve that for a BOMB (although my decision was a bit of a near thing, because some of the long long exceedingly tedious passages really tried my patience). The novel is only recommended for those die-hards who really are compelled to read these "classics" - it really is amazing to think this book was written around the time of the Battle of Waterloo.

My rating system: I begin with one star being equivalent to a rating of "C -". Progressing upwards, I add ½ star for each step, up to the maximum 5 stars, which is equivalent to a rating of "A"+. I reserve ½ star for BOMBS, there being no option of zero or negative stars. As a result, I maximize my rating space for good books, and don't squander half or more of that rating space on books that are of marginal quality.

I shall now cleanse my palate with some well-deserved Arthur C. Clarke.