Frankenstein

By: Mary Shelley

Narrated by: Dan Stevens

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Male, 2013

Audie Award Finalist, Classic, 2013

Narrator Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) presents an uncanny performance of Mary Shelley's timeless gothic novel, an epic battle between man and monster at its greatest literary pitch. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor to the very brink of madness. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship, scientific hubris, and horror.

Public Domain (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Wonderful

I have not read Frankenstein before listening to this. Now I realize how much creative license movies have taken in their interpretations. Dan Stevens gave great life to his narration and I found it enthralling.

Fantastic

Now I know why this is considered a classic. Only complaint I have is the voice the reader used for Frankenstein's Monster, couldn't help but think of the aliens from Galaxy Quest whenever he used it.

Wow

This is a excellent book. Though not previously familiar with the works of either Shelley, I can't imagine how the works of the (then) more famous male Shelley can hold a candle to that of the female. The story is complex and messy with many moral gray areas, just as in real life, but all written in such high prose as to render it almost epic poetry. The language is beautiful, the sentiments touching, and the philosophical dilemmas complex and intriguing. Though this book made me sad, I would listen to it a second time, and a third, in order to digest it properly.
I chose this version because the narrator sounded most suited to tell a compelling story from the brief audio clips I sampled. He does a great job of rendering the complex high-prose speech in a most emotional and believable way, though I wish he had shown more dimensions with the starring creature. His voice, though appropriately mournful and miserable, didn't have the appropriate anger and indignation certain parts called for.
Overall, the story and performance were exceptional. Though short, the writing is rich and complex and the performance delivered with loving attention to the feelings and perceptions of all characters. I highly recommend it.

GREAT STORE

it's more than just a scary story. it makes one think about the consequences of "playing god" and the ability to look beyond the exterior to see what makes a person's personality (nature vs nurture) I know that sounds totally cliche but thats what it is. I loved the book in high school and I am so glad I re-read it.

I so enjoyed this classic!

I've watched several versions of Frankenstein as a movie. I'd always felt them to be campy and trivial. I chose to listen to the book to see, if perhaps, there were more "teeth" to the novel itself. What a pleasant surprise for me! The novel itself portrays the monster with so much more dignity and nuance than the movies I've watched over the years. The narration was mostly wonderful. There were some moments that I longed for a change in character voice. Those moments tended to slip away when I refocused on the story. If you also were never 'required' to read Shelley's Frankenstein while a student, do yourself a favor and listen to it now. You won't regret it!

The real travesty is how pop culture sees this

Going in I knew it would be about the person Frankenstein and not the monster, yet I was still surprise. The Monster play a very little role other than as a plot device.
This is not a monster or horror book but a literary work (lots of words) on a man's decent into madness. A depressing character study of a man driven mad by guilt, grief and self-blame as he witnesses the creation from his past reckless self destroy everything he holds dear. It also deals with the dangers of loneliness.
Overall I liked the story although the self-loathing got a bit tedious at times. It would of been nice knowing what I about to read when I started.

Frankenstein

Never really knew the story behind the monster but here it is. Very interesting, obviously the story has withstood the test of time. Dan Stevens does an admiral job and gives staunch life to these characters.

Audio delivers chills in this classic horror story

What made the experience of listening to Frankenstein the most enjoyable?

Hearing Dan Stevens perform this classic book makes all the difference in the world.

What does Dan Stevens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Half of our book club listened to this, half of the club read it. Listeners loved it; readers thought it was a bit of a slog. Hearing this book propels it through some of the denser, expository passages in a way that is still fascinating. Parts that bored readers were loved by listeners for the context and depth they brought to understanding the monster's agony and motivations.

Any additional comments?

I read this in college and didn't much care for it. My 2nd experience with this book was this audio version, and I now count this as one of my top ten reads of all time. Frankenstein is more than 200 years old, yet it feels current. This is an audiobook to be savored.

Very amazing storytelling

i love the storytelling of different characters. I cried at the end. Awesome narrator and

This is one of my all time favorite horror stories

This is one of my all time favorite horror stories, and I truly believe it will live forever. On top of that; The narrator's stellar performance brought all of the characters to life in the best possible way. Well done Audible.