This Monstrous Thing

by Mackenzi Lee

A wildly creative Gothic fantasy retelling of Frankenstein, This Monstrous Thing is a wholly new reimagining of the classic novel by Mary Shelley and is perfect for fans of retellings such as Cinder by Marissa Meyer, fantasy by Libba Bray and Cassandra Clare, and alternative history by Scott Westerfeld. In an alternative fantasy world where some men are made from clockwork parts and carriages are steam powered, Alasdair Finch, a young mechanic, does the unthinkable after his brother dies: he uses clockwork pieces to bring Oliver back from the dead. But the resurrection does not go as planned, and Oliver returns more monster than man. Even worse, the novel Frankenstein is published and the townsfolk are determined to find the real-life doctor and his monster. With few places to turn for help, the dangers may ultimately bring the brothers together-or ruin them forever.

• ISBN10: 0062382772
• ISBN13: 9780062382771
• Publish Date: 22 October 2015 (first published 22 September 2015)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 15 October 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Katherine Tegen Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Bianca]

We’re all monsters. We’re all careless and cruel in the end.

— I didn't think I'd like this Frankenstein retelling, but it's actually good! It touched a lot of interesting topics like: What does it mean to be human? Are we all just monsters waiting to be awakened? etc.

[bookishzelda]

This Monstrous Thing was one of those books that I’m not sure what I was expecting. I have not read the original Frankenstein even though I’ve seen plenty of movies and even old time radio shows of the story. So I have the basic knowledge but wow was this book addictive. It wasn’t necessarily gruesome or even mad but it had that perfect creepy because it’s dark factor. This reminded me of some of my favorite old movies it had such a great feel to it. What a perfect way to reimagine Frankenstein and of course the fact that it’s got that Steampunk spirit. Well that’s always a sell for me.

I loved the way that Victor Frankenstein and his monster are incorporated in a way of both being fact and fiction. We get a little more insight to Mary Shelley herself and she is woven into the fabric perfectly. Who is the real creator of the monster.

This book is so creative and so well written. I was completely engaged from beginning to end. It takes the idea that we are all monsters really and draws on that. Showing how human nature can sometimes not be the most kind thing. This story also tells of brothers and growing up and trying to hold on to something whose time has run out. I almost felt a sort of symbolinence by the broken clock tower and when Alasdair destroys the little clocks. It’s when the clock is about to start ticking again (time start moving again) that stuff really hits the fan.

Definitely not a love story but I liked how there was that underlying romantic element of Alasdair and how he has created something in his mind that’s not reality. He knows it but he doesn’t want to admit it. I like how much he cares and loves his parents and brother.

The book to me was an amazing retelling. Sometimes it’s harder to write a review for something you absolutely love because I’m not always sure how to capture that feeling I’m left with. I would say if you are a Frankenstein fan read it. If you are not a Frankenstein fan necessarily (like me) read it. It’s eerie and dark but also intriguing and engaging.

[celinenyx]

I enjoyed this steampunk rendition of Frankenstein, but ultimately the story left me as cold as the monster's corpse.

Alasdair Finch is a Shadow Boy. He knows how to use clockwork parts to make mechanical limbs for people. When his brother dies, he does the incredible - he brings Oliver back to life. But Oliver is no longer who he used to be.

Set in an alternate version of nineteenth century Geneva, This Monstrous Thing is loosely inspired on the real-life Mary Shelley and the publication of Frankenstein. In Ms Lee's re-imagining, Frankenstein is based on Alasdair, who resurrects his brother in an act of desperation. Additionally, there is a tension between the populace of Geneva and the people who have mechanical limbs. They are seen as less than human, abominations, monstrous. If they would find out about Oliver, who is more mechanical than human, they would kill him.

I highly commend the author for integrating the Frankenstein source material in a creative way. While it leans on the same themes of the creation of life and its ethical implications, the book tells its own story, with fresh characters and a different outlook. It tries to tie in with debates on shunning of those seen as less than others. While I thought the underlying societal tensions were well written, I didn't think there was much reason for why exactly the Genevan peoples would hate people with mechanical limbs so much. There were some vague religious connotations, but it needed more motivation to be truly believable that people would act this way. Especially because the surrounding towns never seemed to be so averse to clockwork.

The core of the story of This Monstrous Thing is the tension between Alasdair, his brother, and Dr. Geisler, a scientist obsessed with bringing people back from the dead. I can't say much about the plot, except that it features much running around by Alasdair.

While there were many elements in the story that I enjoyed - including the lack of romance between Alasdair and Clemence, the assistant of Dr. Geisler - in other ways This Monstrous Thing never stood out. While the setting is historical, the language definitely is not. At one point (in my ARC at least), one of the characters responds by saying "No shit.". It features an old broken down castle and Geneva and clockwork, however, the setting never truly came to life. The interactions between Alasdair and Oliver were interesting, but there weren't enough of them to make them profound.

I can't put my finger on anything that is offensively bad in this book, but neither is there anything that truly surprised me in its awesomeness. This Monstrous Thing is a fun read - which can also easily be read if you haven't read Frankenstein.

[limabean74]

This was different, I really enjoyed the characters and story even if I did find it slow at times...full review to come.