Frankenstein

Penguin Classics

By: Mary Shelley

Narrated by: Colin Salmon, Peter Noble - introduction

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Colin Salmon known for his starring roles in Resident Evil and Alien Vs Predator. He is also known for his role as Charles Robinson alongside Pierce Brosnan's James Bond. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Maurice Hindle, read by Peter Noble.

A terrifying vision of scientific progress without moral limits, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein leads the reader on an unsettling journey from the sublime beauty of the Swiss alps to the desolate waste of the arctic circle.

Obsessed with the idea of creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material with which to fashion a new being, shocking his creation to life with electricity. But this botched creature, rejected by its creator and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy Frankenstein and all that he holds dear. Mary Shelley's chilling gothic tale was conceived when she was only eighteen, living with her lover Percy Shelley near Lord Byron's villa on Lake Geneva. It would become the world's most famous work of Gothic horror, and Frankenstein's monster an instantly-recognisable symbol of the limits of human creativity.

©2019 Mary Shelley (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Colin Salmon is Victor Frankenstein

Much has been said about this classic novel, but it still exceeded my expectations. It conveys incredible emotions of hope leading to despair, and perfectly evokes dread in the listener. However I really wanted to write this review to laud Colin Salmon's impeccable narration. I see others have found his delivery very raspy, but this was additive to me and I found it appropriate given the state of the characters involved. He delivers each character with care and consideration of their place in the story. Small, almost undetectable inflections in his speech elevate the emotions underlying Victor Frankenstein's retelling of his experiences. I cannot praise him enough in his telling of this classic horror tale.

Not my favorite narrator

I found that the voice of the narrator too gruff for my liking and there was hardly any variation in the tone when changing from one character to another. The rendering of the “creature” was too slow making it boring in parts.
The book is incredibly descriptive and to think that the author was only 19 when she wrote it is quite extraordinary.
The introduction is very interesting and gives many insights to the authors life leading to the publication of her book.

Super good!

I had to read this for a AP class. Overall, props to the narrator. He did a very good job with his voice and voice changes with certain character. His voice it easier to follow through out the story. Overall, this story is super good!
10/10

WoW! Fantastic story. Fantastic narrator.

I thought i had read this as a child, turns out i didnt. It took a little while to like the narrator, but pretty soon, i considered him absolutely perfect for this. It is no wonder this 200 year old book is a classic. I never read anything like it, and cant say enough about how great a book!

Wow

One of those books that will leave you stunned, with a thousand yard stare. Darker and more intense than 99% cocoa chocolate bar.

Also, the reader is great.

engaging narration

I loved the performance of the narrator. He did a fantastic job bringing this to life. His narration keeps you on edge the entire time. This is a great book to show someone to get them into audiobooks.

Performance was amazing

Performance was amazing very very very very good. Really felt the passion. yes. yes. yes. yes.

Phenomenal story

Firstly the voice of the narrator was amazing. I really loved the point of view of each character and how they all connected to each other in the end.

Depth in the Human Condition

Shelley reveals in this story the results of human drive for greatness. What happens when we reach our goals? The readers will question their own motives. Further, the depth of love and beauty in even the most outcast of creatures, as genuine they may br, can become distorted by mans’s drive to extend our potential.

Absolutely loved this book!

I had no idea what to expect going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised. The narrator is incredible, and the book itself is definitely worth the purchase.