Frankenstein (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Victor Frankenstein is driven by his hunger for scientific knowledge and accomplishment. What he can not know is that one day, after he creates a living, breathing being, he will regret his scientific pursuits. This created being is hideous and rejected by all who meet him, including his creator. Rejection leads the creature to become a monster filled with despair and rage. In a futile attempt to pacify the creature, Victor agrees to create a female companion, but finds that he is unable to finish the task. At Victor's refusal to create the companion, the monster is filled with hatred and commits additional murders. The only recourse for Victor is to pursue his creation and destroy it.

This is not a book I would have chosen to read on my own. It was required reading for my current British Literature class and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Mary Shelley used three characters to narrate during the story: Captain Walton, Victor Frankenstein and the creature. I thought the chapters narrated by the monster were particularly interesting. They developed the character of the monster beyond just a hideous, killing machine. It gave insight was to why the monster behaved in the way he did. I suspect that Mary Shelley may have been making a statement about children. The creature craved love, affection and acceptance, just as all children do. Yet, when rejected and deprived of natural affection, the creature became a monster filled with pain and anger.

Mary Shelley was the daughter of writer Mary Wollstonecraft and the wife of poet Percy Shelley. I especially liked how Mary Shelley used some of her husband's poetry in the narrative of the story. The story behind the creation of this book is also unique. Mary and Percy were part of a small group which agreed that they would each write a ghost story. After being unable to think of a plot, Mary Shelley conceived the concept of Frankenstein during a resting period when she was neither conscious nor completely asleep.

This particular edition included an Introduction, Further Reading, Notes on the text, the Author's Introduction, a Preface by Percy Shelley and appendixes featuring works by others that were part of the group that committed to writing ghost stories.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Bennet sisters are in danger of being poor and homeless should their father die and at least one of them not be married. When a new neighbor, Mr. Bingley, moves to the neighborhood and appears to be single, Mrs. Bennet is determined that one of her daughters will marry him. What ensues is an interesting courtship between Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet, the oldest of the sisters. During the course of this courtship, Jane's younger sister, the headstrong Elizabeth, encounters the brooding Mr. Darcy, a dear friend of Mr. Bingley. Their first impressions of each other are not amiable and lead to dislike on both sides. The dislike is enforced on Elizabeth's side by her new acquaintance, Mr. Wickham. She openly accepts Mr. Wickham's reports of Mr. Darcy and her prejudice grows. A surprising proposal by Mr. Darcy and its aftermath lead Elizabeth to rethink her prejudices. What she can not know is that Mr. Darcy's pride is also being reanalyzed by himself. Will the two ever be able to overcome their pride and prejudice? And if they can, what will be the result of it?

This was the first time I have read Pride and Prejudice and it has cemented Jane Austen as one of my favorite authors. The story line was intricate, marked by detail, humor and romance. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are an enjoyable match and I sympathized with Elizabeth's irritation. I was especially amused by the character of Mr. Bennet. His wit had me laughing, while at other times, his parenting skills appeared to be sorely lacking.

Austen masterfully crafted this story that was published when she was only 21. I am a little in awe of Jane Austen. The two other books by her that I have read were good, but, in my opinion, this one is the best.

This Barnes & Noble Classic edition included an Introduction and Notes by Carol Howard. The Notes were especially helpful in understanding certain portions and the introduction was good. However, the introduction contained a lot of spoilers and I am thankful I read it after reading the book.