A "review" of mine...

[amodman]

blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=20674565&blogID=54525250&Mytoken=8D104F6C-9A72-C1B8-8C5AD49FEB63372884165475 - what can I say? I hated it and most likely won't be allowed to write this in my paper on it, lol.

[dinadan]

I couldn't disagree more. Frankenstein is genre-bending, and that's one reason why it's hard to read--it's framed as a corrispondence-novel and it flirts with the gothic, but at its core it is a Romantic (notVictorian!) text. Why is it Romantic? Simply because it is a warning about the continuation of scientific discovery for its own sake...completely decoupled from morality or ethical concerns. Actually, Frankenstein is a good deal more interesting to read than most pre-modern novels (of course, I hate most modern and post-modern novels), and while it's not as good as, say, Wuthering Heights, it isn't as horriffic as Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre. I suspect you're just spoiled by modern tastes, prejudices, and sensibilities. That's ok--plenty of good people are. But it's a shame--because there's a lot to these older texts that most people don't enjoy anymore because the conventions are out of fashion.

[dreamer]

Boy, din, I don't know who or what turned you off to Jane Austen or one of the Brontes, but thankfully, that's just your opinion. For those of us who adore Jane Austen, (myself included as Pride and Prejudice is my favorite fiction book on the planet), you might try reading a book of hers as a lesson in the socio-economic history of England in the early 1800's. As that, it is fascinating. The rules of whom to talk to and even address with a "Hello" were astounding by our ideas today. (Have you ever read P&P or are you just prejudiced yourself?) Just curious...

[dinadan]

I've read many of Jane's books--my concentration in my lit degree is 18th/19th century lit. Jane's books are so shallow (and there are reasons for that, I realize...making money was paramount), not to metion dully plotted.

As for Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre--it's ok, but it's no where near as good as Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. WH is probably one of the best novels to come out of the entire 19th century. Granted, all this is my opinion--and you're welcome to disagree...but the reason for the post was to say that there is something valuable to be had from novels from this period, even if their construction seems cheesy/anticlimactic/etc (as long as the content itself isn't any of those things).

[amodman]

you're probably right about my tastes din...but I still think the book was horrible . One of the newer movies made of the Frankenstein novel I saw (for school) actually wasn't half bad. Guess it's one of those rare instances where the movie is better than the book...subjectively, anyway.

[Daae]

Wuthering Heights was good, but it's not the best book from that time that I've read, and I absolutely adored Pride and Prejudice. I loved Lizzy. But I think my favorite 19th century novel is A Tale of Two Cities. I still have to read Frankenstien.

[dinadan]

A Tale of Two cities is very good. It doesn't hit me the way WH does, but it is without a doubt an excellent book. It's Dickens at his best.

I'll also say that Dumas' novels are spectacular 19th century texts as well. The Count of Monte Cristo and The Man in the Iron Mask (despite what Hollywood has done to them) remain among my favorite books of all time.

Still not WH.

[amodman]

dinadan said:

A Tale of Two cities is very good. It doesn't hit me the way WH does, but it is without a doubt an excellent book. It's Dickens at his best.

I'll also say that Dumas' novels are spectacular 19th century texts as well. The Count of Monte Cristo and The Man in the Iron Mask (despite what Hollywood has done to them) remain among my favorite books of all time.

Still not WH.

You didn't like the Count of Monte Cristo movie? I freakin loved it! Made me wanna read the original text...never did though.

[dinadan]

It was a swashbuckling good time--but it carried nothing of the power and depth of the book.

[kg00ds]

Come on dinadan movies rarely do. I mean I was very impressed with The LOR movies and Narnia. But, despite all of their accomplishments they still fell short. I liked the count of Monte Cristo and I understand where your coming from, but I don't think they hurt the story all that much.

[kg00ds]

Interesting critque amodman. In some ways I agree with you. For example the story does seem to drag to me;however, my girlfreind read it and liked it. She has pretty good taste. She wrote a paper on its underlying themes such as the need for nuturing between a primary care giver and a "child", the need for acceptance, and the need to have someone to share with. I thought the paper was really good. I have only browsed the story myself so my opinions aren't set yet. Maybe I'll write back when I finish it to let you know if I ended up agreeing with you or not. Likewise, thanx for the review. The more opinions we listen too and contemplate the better opinions well have.