A review by johnbreeden
The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd

5.0

I was quite surprised by this book. With the narration of the audio book and the storytelling, I was drawn in. I read some reviews talking about how it does not add anything to the original. I disagree. And, of course, the twist at the end. The story hints in the beginning about the science of resurrection being impossible. All the elements of Victor's electrical study tied to the uses of electricity expounded upon in the day. Then, he makes it happen. Yet by the end, we know that it did not. Then, we get to the ending - part one. It is revealed that the creature is Victor himself. Did he experiment upon himself and cause the illusion; or, was it already there? You have a realization of Frankenstein's obsession having possessed him. Then, another strike. The story is the casebook of a lunatic, Victor, held in an asylum. Did the events happen at all? Was Victor living entirely in his own imagination? What parts of the story are real, and what are illusion? I have to admit, I started to question everything the book showed. Every choice Victor made could be tied to his psyche.

Obviously, I enjoyed the book.