Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > Book Talk
Reload this Page >

Frankenstein - the Original

Book Talk A Place To Discuss Books and Audiobooks

Frankenstein - the Original

Old 03-29-19, 01:43 PM
  #1  
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
 
Bronkster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: AnaheimLand, SoCal
Posts: 22,360
Received 586 Likes on 338 Posts
Frankenstein - the Original

This is a book I've been semi-wanting to read since high school. I'm checking out listings on Ebay - having narrowed my choice to the original 1818 version (it was revised by Shelley in 1832). What's got me confused is that some books are 170 pages, and others are 304 - yet all claim to be the 1818 version. I could understand a small variance of pages between publishers, but this seems ... odd. Anyone have background on this?
Old 03-29-19, 06:33 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
rbrown498's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,403
Received 215 Likes on 159 Posts
Re: Frankenstein - the Original

Type size can have a lot to do with it, as can whether or not the edition is annotated.

If they're all claiming to be the unaltered 1818 text, then it's really up to you.

Or, since it's in the public domain, you can go to archive.org and download it for free. Anything written before 1924 is now assuredly in the public domain, making it legal for anyone to do anything (republish, make a graphic novel, make a movie, record an audiobook, write a play based on...) they'd like with it. That goes for movies and audio recordings as well.
Old 03-29-19, 07:12 PM
  #3  
DVD Talk Legend
 
wishbone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,434
Likes: 0
Received 167 Likes on 118 Posts
Re: Frankenstein - the Original

The 1831 version includes Shelley's account of how the book came to be written but also has several textual changes.
https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Frank...1831-editions/

If the books have an author introduction then it is likely the 1831 version.


My copy from college.
Old 03-29-19, 09:12 PM
  #4  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Abob Teff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Not necessarily Formerly known as Solid Snake
Posts: 29,034
Received 1,216 Likes on 834 Posts
Re: Frankenstein - the Original

Damn ... you were in college in 1831?
Old 03-29-19, 09:18 PM
  #5  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Nick Danger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 30,473
Received 1,409 Likes on 905 Posts
Re: Frankenstein - the Original

I read a copy from Project Gutenberg last summer. You could read a free e-text, and if you liked it you could buy it as a collectable book.

It's the best ever goth story written by a teenage girl. But it's still a goth story written by a teenage girl. I probably won't read it again.
Old 03-29-19, 09:22 PM
  #6  
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
 
Bronkster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: AnaheimLand, SoCal
Posts: 22,360
Received 586 Likes on 338 Posts
Re: Frankenstein - the Original

Originally Posted by rbrown498
Type size can have a lot to do with it, as can whether or not the edition is annotated.

If they're all claiming to be the unaltered 1818 text, then it's really up to you.

Or, since it's in the public domain, you can go to archive.org and download it for free. Anything written before 1924 is now assuredly in the public domain, making it legal for anyone to do anything (republish, make a graphic novel, make a movie, record an audiobook, write a play based on...) they'd like with it. That goes for movies and audio recordings as well.
Yeah, I considered type/font sizes. I suppose that could account for the discrepancy. If I were curious enough, I could buy both versions and see. But, no.

As for downloading - I appreciate the suggestion, but prefer the physical book. I'm currently in a snobbish mode and won't even read a paperback!
Old 09-12-22, 12:14 PM
  #7  
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
 
Bronkster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: AnaheimLand, SoCal
Posts: 22,360
Received 586 Likes on 338 Posts
Re: Frankenstein - the Original

Oh look; an update! I finally ordered Frankenstein from Amazon. I must be a magnet for buying incomplete books! Although in this case I'm at a loss to explain how parts are missing since the pages are consecutively numbered. All I can assume is that the publisher simply removed parts of the book for reasons I could never explain.

While reading, I became so confused by events that I decided to check for summaries online to understand what I missed. Stop reading if your concerned about spoilers! Victor's return home after learning of his younger brother's murder, and spotting the monster lurking nearby, and thusly assuming his creation killed his brother was completely left out! It jumps from him reading the letter from his father about the murder to the trial of Justine, who was wrongly accused of it! Not a minor plot point, I'd say!

I'm going to find another version of the book. I see no reason to continue as there may be more lapses. Irritating.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.