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Title details for Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Available

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley
Daniel Philpott
Audiobook (Includes supplementary content)
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available

Mary Shelley's poignant exploration of the true depths of human ambition has had a profound effect on readers since its conception in 1816. When scientist Victor Frankenstein forms a creature from the body parts of corpses, thus shattering the perceived limits of scientific understanding, the consequences are devastating. As Frankenstein becomes disgusted with his experiment, he thwarts the creature's desire for a companion, and what ensues is singularly chilling.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    December 28, 2011

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781843794509
      • File size: 263496 KB
      • Duration: 09:08:56

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 1170
    • Text Difficulty: 8-9

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 2, 2012
      This audio version of Shelley’s classic hits all the book’s emotional highpoints thanks to a terrific tag team of readers—a choice that is amply justified by the book’s structure: explorer Robert Walton’s correspondence with his sister; Victor Frankenstein’s narration of his life and misguided efforts to play God; and the infamous monster’s first-person account of how he made his way in the world. All three narrators are adept at modulating their tone to suit a scene’s mood—Roger May reads Walton’s sections, Daniel Philpott narrates Frankenstein’s, and Jonathan Oliver handles the monster’s sections—but the heavy lifting falls to Philpott, who conveys his character’s passion, ambition, and ultimate horror at what his creation has done, which includes an accidental killing that strikes the scientist very close to home. For any listener familiar only with filmed treatments of this seminal tale of terror, this is a good way to experience the original.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      The first thing listeners will note about Shelley's seminal novel is how different it is from the more familiar Hollywood film. Truthfully, listening to the book will likely inspire a desire to watch the Boris Karloff interpretation. Narrator Richard Pasco never grunts "Fire, bad" in his performance, but, rather, portrays a more intelligent, tragic monster, as Shelley intended. Actually, the monster is a bit of a yakky whiner. Pasco goes over the top several times, making the monster speak like a tragic Shakespearian hero. The effect is not so much unsettling as unpleasant. M.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      Starred review from February 15, 2012

      This classic tale of horror and obsession features an appropriately overwrought reading by three talented British actors. Dr. Victor Frankenstein becomes enslaved to the idea of reanimating the dead, spending years in a manic frenzy of scientific study and creation. But once his monster lives, Frankenstein is so horrified by the ugliness of "the demoniacal corpse" that he abandons it, never imagining that they will meet again in murderous circumstances. Daniel Philpott does most of the narration, employing a Germanic accent when he voices the good doctor's dialog. Roger May does a superb job as Capt. Robert Walton. The best performance, though, is by Jonathan Oliver as the Daemon. He makes listeners feel pity and compassion for this creature who longs only for love and intellectual stimulation; instead, he cannot help but be the personification of evil in his own mania for vengeance. VERDICT The reading is well paced, and the narrators are not afraid to sound overwrought when appropriate.--B. Allison Gray, Santa Barbara P.L., Goleta Branch, CA

      Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Jim Weiss, noted for his spirited, thoughtful storytelling for children, tries something different with this very adult classic. He does it well. Though initially his reading seems affected, caricaturing rather than characterizing, the listener is quietly swept up, especially after Dr. Frankenstein creates his monster. From that point on, Weiss reads with a slight European accent that adds to the novel's gothic tone and makes the story even more moving. Weaknesses in the presentation after this rest in Mary Shelley's implausible narrative, not Jim Weiss's reading. P.E.F. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      We all know the Hollywood FRANKENSTEIN and even Mel Brooks's "Frahnken-steen." But how many of us have heard the original version? Kenneth Branagh provides a sincere and well-modulated narration of what is basically a cautionary tale. Victor Frankenstein is a visionary scientist often overcome by nervous fevers, fainting, and dementia when confronted by life's shocks and losses. Frankenstein's particular torture is the creature he has created in hopes of achieving a better human. Instead, he finds he has spawned a monster with the heart of a poet, who seeks acceptance and love, or, if unsatisfied, deadly revenge. Branagh's understated presentation is worthy of this classic. D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Mary Shelley's classic tale of science gone awry is adapted for radio by Winnie Waldron, whose abridgment focuses on Victor Frankenstein's obsession with death and creation. With Winifred Phillips's Gothic-style musical score and gently emotional reading, FRANKENSTEIN is a fresh and captivating listening experience. This program, which was broadcast on the award-winning NPR series "Radio Tales," is available on CD from MP3.com. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Shelley's classic novel, about a rash inventor who creates a monster, to its and his own sorrow, gives us three narrative voices: that of the inventor, Victor Frankenstein; his creature; and Walton, an explorer to whom their tale is told. As Victor, Anthony Heald's otherwise fine voice is reedy and wavering. Whether so by intent (it fits Victor, who is near death) or nature, it's somewhat distracting. Stefan Rudnicki's harsh voice fits the creature, but he starts haltingly, while the creature, at that point, should speak fluently. As the explorer, Simon Templeman's voice and performance are strong. Despite quibbles over interpretation, all three voices are expressive, the vocal acting highly skilled. This is a vibrant rendition of a tragic story that, even with its old-fashioned prose, is often powerful. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1170
  • Text Difficulty:8-9

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