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1. Bibliographic Information
Irving, F. (2005). Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The graphic novel. New York: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 0-14-240407-1
176 pages
Note about the text and illustrations: Frazer Irving completed the illustrations for the graphic novel, and is cited as the main author. Gary Reed completed the script for this version.
2. Plot Summary
Dr. Victor Frankenstein sets out to understand the boundaries of science. Becoming interested in the building blocks of life, the doctor sets out to recreate life in a laboratory. Obsessed with his work, Dr. Frankenstein finally defies modern science and reanimates a being using human cadavers. However, his attempt becomes a failure when the being escapes. The narrative then turns to the monster showing his inability to connect with humanity, and thus setting out to destroy everyone who has wronged him. During this time, the Doctor has returned to his home. Trying to return to a normal lifestyle, the doctor begins to find solace in routine. However, when he finds that his best friend and brother have died due to suspicious circumstances, Dr. Frankenstein begins to wonder. When it is confirmed to the doctor that his creation is destroying his life, both become consumed by their hatred for each other. Can Dr. Frankenstein stop the monster before it finds him?
3. Critical Evaluation
Shelly’s original work questions the idea of what it means to be human, and how far the realm of science should go to determine such ideas. However, Irving’s graphic novel, though consistent with the plot of the book, fails to retain much of Shelley’s original language. In some ways, this detracts from the graphic novel. The reader is not allowed to read some of the stylistic differences and word choice. Nevertheless, the book allows readers to understand the general ideas of the story, as well as the darkness that pervades the original novel. The book also includes a biography of Mary Shelley’s life which allows the reader to get a feel for the author and some of the hardships she had to face during her lifetime. Hopefully, this will push the reader to see how Shelley’s original work was modeled after her own experiences, and will encourage readers to try her version.
4. Reader’s Annotation
The classic story of Frankenstein is now retold in a Graphic Novel format. Read the story all over again and experience the despair of knowing what Dr. Frankenstein has created and the horror of the monster himself.
5. Information about the Author
Frazer Irving was born in London, and has been reading comics since he was a young boy. He has worked for many popular comic book publishers including DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics.
Gary Read has written over 200 comics, as well as serving as the president of Caliber Press, a specialty publisher of comics and books.
6. Genre
Classic Novel Adaptation
7. Curriculum Ties
While I do not feel that this book is of the same quality of the original, I could see an English class using this graphic novel as a means of comparison.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-Where do you feel the boundaries of science should be contained?
-How does this Graphic Novel compare to other renditions of Frankenstein? What about to the original text?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book would most appeal to readers aged 16-18.
10. Challenge Issues
This graphic novel is a recent adaptation of an original classic. Like the classic, the book questions the role of science. The question of science versus religion, is not explicitly stated in this graphic novel, however, one could pose an argument that Dr. Frankenstein’s ability to create life goes against some of the religious ideas of today. Additionally, this book includes instances of violence, death and murder. Furthermore, Dr. Frankenstein’s actions border on the extreme and obsessive. Since these ideas are used to question the actions of the characters and are also prevalent in the original novel, I do not think that this book would be challenged. However, if there were such a challenge I would refer patrons to the ALA’s website on guidelines and challenge forms found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Irving, F. (2005). Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The graphic novel. New York: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 0-14-240407-1
176 pages
Note about the text and illustrations: Frazer Irving completed the illustrations for the graphic novel, and is cited as the main author. Gary Reed completed the script for this version.
2. Plot Summary
Dr. Victor Frankenstein sets out to understand the boundaries of science. Becoming interested in the building blocks of life, the doctor sets out to recreate life in a laboratory. Obsessed with his work, Dr. Frankenstein finally defies modern science and reanimates a being using human cadavers. However, his attempt becomes a failure when the being escapes. The narrative then turns to the monster showing his inability to connect with humanity, and thus setting out to destroy everyone who has wronged him. During this time, the Doctor has returned to his home. Trying to return to a normal lifestyle, the doctor begins to find solace in routine. However, when he finds that his best friend and brother have died due to suspicious circumstances, Dr. Frankenstein begins to wonder. When it is confirmed to the doctor that his creation is destroying his life, both become consumed by their hatred for each other. Can Dr. Frankenstein stop the monster before it finds him?
3. Critical Evaluation
Shelly’s original work questions the idea of what it means to be human, and how far the realm of science should go to determine such ideas. However, Irving’s graphic novel, though consistent with the plot of the book, fails to retain much of Shelley’s original language. In some ways, this detracts from the graphic novel. The reader is not allowed to read some of the stylistic differences and word choice. Nevertheless, the book allows readers to understand the general ideas of the story, as well as the darkness that pervades the original novel. The book also includes a biography of Mary Shelley’s life which allows the reader to get a feel for the author and some of the hardships she had to face during her lifetime. Hopefully, this will push the reader to see how Shelley’s original work was modeled after her own experiences, and will encourage readers to try her version.
4. Reader’s Annotation
The classic story of Frankenstein is now retold in a Graphic Novel format. Read the story all over again and experience the despair of knowing what Dr. Frankenstein has created and the horror of the monster himself.
5. Information about the Author
Frazer Irving was born in London, and has been reading comics since he was a young boy. He has worked for many popular comic book publishers including DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics.
Gary Read has written over 200 comics, as well as serving as the president of Caliber Press, a specialty publisher of comics and books.
6. Genre
Classic Novel Adaptation
7. Curriculum Ties
While I do not feel that this book is of the same quality of the original, I could see an English class using this graphic novel as a means of comparison.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-Where do you feel the boundaries of science should be contained?
-How does this Graphic Novel compare to other renditions of Frankenstein? What about to the original text?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book would most appeal to readers aged 16-18.
10. Challenge Issues
This graphic novel is a recent adaptation of an original classic. Like the classic, the book questions the role of science. The question of science versus religion, is not explicitly stated in this graphic novel, however, one could pose an argument that Dr. Frankenstein’s ability to create life goes against some of the religious ideas of today. Additionally, this book includes instances of violence, death and murder. Furthermore, Dr. Frankenstein’s actions border on the extreme and obsessive. Since these ideas are used to question the actions of the characters and are also prevalent in the original novel, I do not think that this book would be challenged. However, if there were such a challenge I would refer patrons to the ALA’s website on guidelines and challenge forms found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
11. Why it was selected?
I thought that teenagers might be more inclined to read these graphic novels rather than the classic originals.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Irving, F. (2005). Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The graphic novel. New York: Puffin Books.
Picture from
Amazon.com. (2010). Puffin graphics: Frankenstein (Puffin graphics (Graphic novels)) (Paperback). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Puffin-Graphics-Frankenstein-Graphic-Novels/dp/0142404071
13. Awards
No awards known.
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