I really enjoyed this one. The story overall was a tragic one. But the tragedy was a result of Doctor Frankenstein: he was the victim of his own geniuI really enjoyed this one. The story overall was a tragic one. But the tragedy was a result of Doctor Frankenstein: he was the victim of his own genius. [image] He started out a bright yet overzealous university student mastering his studies. He soon gets the idea of creating life, but creating life for power. His attempt at creating life fails as he creates a grotesque abomination. The monster eventually becomes self-aware and formulates the singleminded goal of destroying his creator. Over time the monster begins psychologically terrorizing Victor Frankenstein and the two clash. [image] I liked the science-fiction/gothic/horror elements layered in the story. I also found it to be thought-provoking and deep. The analogy of Prometheus who stole fire and created life, Biblical references and allusions to Milton's 'Paradise Lost', and the phrase 'Who's to blame: the monster or the creator?'
The only Frankenstein movie I've seen is the 1994 version starring Kenneth Branagh as Victor and Robert De Niro as The Monster. I enjoyed this film even though there are adaptations from the book.
Overall the readability was good and reminded me of some Robert Louis Stevenson. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking classical literature. Thanks!...more
I enjoyed reading one very much. From the beginning the author sets the tone of eerie and follows through until the end. The story was great. By many I enjoyed reading one very much. From the beginning the author sets the tone of eerie and follows through until the end. The story was great. By many this is the considered the benchmark for haunted houses and haunting stories. The imagery and the setting the author delivers had me hooked throughout the story.
The thing I like most was the blending of subtle psychological terror, paranormal activity, and cognitive distortions the author was able to make work. Its not an "up to your interpretation" scenario but your imagination helps you fill in the blanks.
Overall this was a very good and spooky story. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good haunted house story. Thanks!...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this detective story. This is my first Sherlock Holmes book. The story does a great job of combining elements of mystery and subtI thoroughly enjoyed this detective story. This is my first Sherlock Holmes book. The story does a great job of combining elements of mystery and subtle supernatural horror. Though the book is serious there are elements of humor with some quirky dialogue. [image] The vibe of the book was spooky. It is set in the shadowy English autumn centering around the English folk legend of a demonic hellhound. Arthur Conan Doyle does a great job of using imagery with phrases like "the moonlit night, the desolate moor, the ghastly spectre, the apparition". The story has the mystery, the clues, the inductive reasoning, and eventually solving the case.
I definitely give it five stars and I probably will read it again in a few years. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good book. Thanks!...more
[image] This was the first adult story I read when I was younger. I remember being captivated by the idea of a dual life and man's sinister shadowy sid[image] This was the first adult story I read when I was younger. I remember being captivated by the idea of a dual life and man's sinister shadowy side. Now many years later this story still had me enthralled. I enjoyed this story because it contains the elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller. The writing is eloquent and almost lyrical that can only come from another time, yet is readable. [image] The descriptive imagery along the backdrop of a foggy, dark, and Jack the Ripperesque London set the stage perfectly. The duality of good vs. evil, conscious vs. unconscious, and steadfast rigidness vs. uncompromising pleasure were themes I interpreted.
This remains one of my favorite books after all these years. This is not the last time I read it. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys classic literature and a good story. Thanks!...more
This was a really fun read. The story was constructed as an epistolary novel composed of letters, journal entries, and short newspaper articles. The sThis was a really fun read. The story was constructed as an epistolary novel composed of letters, journal entries, and short newspaper articles. The story read from all the characters that revolved around the shadowy and elusive Count Dracula.
The story was superbly crafted with colorful and descriptive imagery. Bram Stoker did a great job of painting a mental picture of gothic eeriness and mystery. Some creepy moments that stand out for me were: the ghastly ship that pulled to port with the dead salior tighted to the helm, the newspaper clipping of the stalking Bloofer Lady, and the men breaking in and investigating the creepy house of Piccadilly Street.
My immediate impression of the narrative style was negative. I thought these diary entries amd letters would take away from the story. Eventually it began to add depth and dimension to the story. The story was dark, gothic horror, and had elements of creepiness I really enjoyed!
There's no need to restate the plot but I'm mad that it took me this long to read it. I would definitely recommend it because of originality that set the standard for the genre. Thanks!...more
I really enjoyed these creepy, gothic, and thrilling short stories. Edgar Allan Poe really was original and ahead of his time in writing. The storytelI really enjoyed these creepy, gothic, and thrilling short stories. Edgar Allan Poe really was original and ahead of his time in writing. The storytelling and his ability to paint a picture with words is fantastic. These stories are tales of tragedy, woe, despair, and typically do not end well. All the stories are creative and enjoyable. Some that stood out to me were the: 'The Masque of the Red Death' were time and death are inevitable for all [image] The Gothic masterpiece of with a supernatural-horror feel, 'The Fall of the House of Usher' [image] There are many other short stories including a treasure hunting story along costal South Carolina (The Gold Bug), detective stories (The Murders in the Rue Morgue and The Mystery of Marie Roget), and a selection of poems including the supernatural classic, 'The Raven'.
Overall I really did enjoy almost all of these short stories and poems. I would definitely recommend this or any other edition of The Complete Tales and Poems. Thanks!...more
I actually enjoyed this one. Nathaniel Hawthorne has a unique way of writing and I think it he's hit or miss. For instance I didn't care for 'The ScarI actually enjoyed this one. Nathaniel Hawthorne has a unique way of writing and I think it he's hit or miss. For instance I didn't care for 'The Scarlett Letter' but I really liked 'Young Goodman Brown'. This story explored themes of guilt and generational sin. I felt all the characters had connectedness yet they were all trying to either run away from each other and their past sins/guilt.
I enjoyed the darker gothic tone of the story. The dark and shadowy house played a major role and even acted as a character. [image] "Several days had passed over the seven gables, heavily and drearily enough. In fact, an easterly storm had set in, and indefatigably applied itself to the task of making the black roof and walls of the old house look more cheerless than ever before." pg. 192
The backstory of Salem witchcraft, a curse, and the mysterious deaths gave subtle elements of the supernatural. The descriptive imagery helped carry the story. "the quiver of the moonbeams; they dance hand-in-hand with the shadows..." pg. 241
Overall in enjoyed this story. The reading sometimes was tedious and slow but helped with the overall story. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story. Thanks!...more
A great narrative that is multiple journal entries being read by a vampire hunter who entered the Count's castle during the daytime. The story followsA great narrative that is multiple journal entries being read by a vampire hunter who entered the Count's castle during the daytime. The story follows the medieval warrior Count who becomes a vampire. There's creative and colorful writing with well-developed characters. I truly enjoyed this story and I'll probably end up reading it again. Thanks....more
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