Friday Memes and Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'

Alison Can Read Feature & FollowThis week hasn't been as productive as it could be, blogging-wise. I worked a lot, I went to a pub-quiz and read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, but I didn't get a lot of blogging done. I hope next week will be better! Now, onto the memes!

Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee and this week's question was suggested by the amazing Tracy over at Cornerfolds. Definitely check out her blog people!

Do you have any furry friends? Share a picture!

Aah love this question from Tracy because I love pets and I can't wait to see everyone's adorable furry friends! I, personally, don't have a pet myself anymore, but, through some convoluted arguing I could make a case for my dad's best friend's dog sort of being mine! I present to you the utter adorableness that is Cooper, the best Dachshund around. I couldn't pick just one picture, so you're stuck with the holy trifecta of adorable photos now!


Just look at that face and tell me he is not adorable! The pic on the left is when he was still a posy youngster and the other two are of him as a silver fox, both snoozing and staring off into the distance! He is utterly blind and old by now, but we still love him a lot!

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer and this week's question was suggested by Elizabeth over at Silver's Reviews:

Do you think a book's title is important?

Oh absolutely! A title is the first thing that I look at, besides the cover. I think a title, more than a cover, can place a book within a genre. There was an absolutely genius post not too long ago by a blogger I follow about how generic a lot of book titles have become, but I somehow can't find the link and it's slightly upsetting! Anyway, back to the question. If I don't love the title of a book I'm less likely to talk about it. And if a title seems utterly unrelated to the book, that's also very annoying.

This week I'm sharing one of my favourite books with you, the famous Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Not only do I love Mary Shelley herself, who was absolutely fabulous in a lot of different ways, but I love Frankenstein and think it's a genius book. I'm really excited to finally be rereading it for university and you can be sure that I will be writing an essay on it in May!

FrankensteinMary Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.
 Book Beginnings is hosted by Gilion over at Rose City Reader and Friday 56 by Freda over at Freda's Voice.

BB:
'To Mrs. Saville, EnglandSt. Petersburgh, Dec. 11th 17- 

You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday; and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare, and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking.' p.1
Aaah, the epistolary novel form. Sometimes I love it when novels include letters and sometimes I dislike it severely, but in Frankenstein it's perfect.

F56:
'We returned to our college on a Sunday afternoon: the peasants were dancing, and everyone we met appeared gay and happy. My own spirits were high, and I bounded along with feelings of unbridled joy and hilarity.' p.56
Aah, whenever anyone in this happy the story is bound to turn sour, isn't it? But when it comes to our Dr. Frankenstein I don't mind since I severely despise him. God-complex to the max with that man!

So, that's my post for today! Do you have a pet? And how important are titles to you?

Comments

  1. I think I look more at covers than titles but a good title will definitely catch my eye. Somehow I never read Frankenstein but I did enjoy the excerpts. I'll have to add that to my Classics Club list!

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    1. Covers are the first thing to grab my eye as well, tbh! Definitely check it out, it's amazing! Thanks for commenting :)

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    1. Definitely can't go wrong with 'Frankenstein'! Thanks for commenting :)

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  3. I haven't had a pet since I was a child but I do enjoy other people's furry friends. I also like epistolary novels but haven't read Frankenstein. Happy reading!

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    1. Sometimes it's more fun to co-own other people's pets because you don't have to look at them all the time ;) Definitely check it out, it's one of my favourite books! Thanks for commenting :)

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  4. Oh my god! Cooper is so cute!!

    I have wanted to read Frankenstein for the longest time. I was going to read it at school for my Personal Essay in Higher English but my teacher wouldn't let me - I was so annoyed with her!

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    1. He is utterly adorable! I can't believe you're English teacher wouldn't let you! What is wrong with that woman? xD Thanks for commenting :)

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  5. Embarrassed to admit I have never read Frankenstein. And if I saw this cover from across a bookstore, I never would have guessed at the book. Click on my name for my Beginning and 56.

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    1. This particular cover is interesting, to say the least, but definitely pick up the book if you have some time! Thanks for commenting :)

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  6. An unrelated title definitely is not something that would pull me in.

    I like titles and covers.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stopping by my blog.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

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    1. If a title is completely apart from the story I just wonder what the author and publishing comp. were thinking! Thanks for commenting :)

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  7. I've seen the Frankenstein movies, of course -- everything from Boris Karloff to Mel Brooks -- but I've never read the original book. That would be fun!
    Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG

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    1. I have only seen the Kenneth Branagh story, which I don't like as much because it differs quite a lot from the book! Still need to watch the Karloff films! Thanks for commenting :)

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  8. I agree with you about the cuteness of Cooper and the book titles. I love a great title and it kinda matters to me just like the cover. I need to be grabbed somehow by the title.

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    1. Title and cover should definitely go together in grabbing your attention! Thanks for commenting :)

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  9. If I were to read about vampires, this would be the book to choose. I love the language in the excerpts. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Shelley's way of writing is one of my favourite things about the book! Thanks for commenting :)

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  10. I have been debating on reading Frankenstein for a while now. I think one thing holding me back is I've watched Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein too many times.

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    1. Definitely pick it up! It's so much better than the films ;) Thanks for commenting :)

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  11. Love every bit of your answer to the Blog Hop, you couldn't of said it better. For me, a title has to connect with the premise of the book, otherwise it too becomes a bit nonsensical for me :/

    Your Dachshund is beautiful! I don't think I've ever seen one with fur, they usually tend to have a sleekness to them; have a wonderful weekend Julie!

    Friday Book Memes

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    1. Glad I'm not the only one feeling that way! Cooper is incredibly fluffy which is part of why I love him! Thanks for commenting :)

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  12. I hadn't thought of how titles can place a book in a certain genre, but it's often true.

    Happy hopping!

    My Blog Hop

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    1. They definitely can, it's a shame when they place it in the wrong genre though! Thanks for commenting :)

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  13. So CUTE!! I love Cooper's coloring and how fuzzy he is! I don't think I'd be able to stop petting him.
    Old follower.
    My FF: http://onceuntold.blogspot.com/2015/03/feature-follow-friday-4-furry-friends.html

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    1. He is a little fuzzbal :D It's very hard to stop petting him once you start! Thanks for commenting :)

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  14. Yes, book covers do matter, as do book titles.

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  15. Hi Juli,

    No furry friends in our house I'm afraid, although secretly I think that hubbie would quite like a dog. Cooper is fantastic, however that just wouldn't cut the mustard with hubbie, he would only be seen out walking a dog that looked like a dog and has always wanted a golden retriever.

    Book titles are important, although I have been pleasantly surprised by one or two review requests that I would never have bought if I had seen them in the bookshop. I quite like the one word title which reflects the genre of the story, although not necessarily the storyline. Similarly, I am not a cover art snob, however I do like the cover to be representative of the story in some way. Some of the re-prints of older books, have had some excellent cover make-overs and there is nothing more pleasing than a nice matching set of covers!

    I also have to confess that I have never read Frankenstein the book, however I love the 1994 film re-make of the story, with Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham Carter.

    Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend :)

    Yvonne

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    1. Cooper suffers from a Napoleon-complex and thinks he is a doberman sometimes! I have been surprised as well by a lot of books which is just prove that I shouldn't be too judgmental when it comes to books! Definitely pick up Frankenstein, it's so much better than the film ;) Thanks for commenting :)

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  16. Great 56 I've been dying to read Frankinstain but I am waiting for Holloween to read it but I will admit just seeing your 56 makes me want to read it right away! Lol thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog.

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    1. Halloween would be a great time for this book! Maybe cheat a bit and read the first few chapters! Thanks for commenting :)

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  17. Old Cooper, soooo cute! And great choice of a book! I haven't read Frankenstein yet though. I'm kind of dreading some of the classics, but I'll attempt to dwell into them soon! Happy reading!

    New follower!!!

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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    1. Classics can be severely intimidating but Frankenstein is short enough to not be too scary ;) Thanks for commenting :)

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  18. Hopping through. What a cute doggie! I've always liked long haired dachsunds. So pretty.
    My FF

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    1. They are utterly precious aren't they! Thanks for commenting :)

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  19. Great excerpts...I can see myself getting happily lost in the story.

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  20. Great visual in 'peasants dancing.' Music should make you feel good and I think the snippet expresses that very well. Wonderful #56!

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  21. Another classic that I've seen the film but not read the book.
    Happy weekend!

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  22. I read the book twice, once on my own and later in school. I find it unbearably sad, both for the "monster" and Frankenstein. Have you seen the TV show Penny Dreadful? They did an interesting telling of the relationship.

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  23. Nice answer regarding book titles. They are, indeed, important. :)
    And cute Cooper! :)

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  24. What an adorable weenie dog!!! So cute! Thanks for sharing your pics :)

    Here's my F&F!

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  25. I'm glad to have discovered your blog through the hop. Consider me a new follower. That sounds kinda creepy, like I'm a stalker or something. Because I'm not. Truly I meant "follower" like google follower. That side bar thingy. yeah...

    You write some very insightful and eloquent reviews. Frankenstein is a wonderful novel and its crazy to think how young Shelley was when she wrote it.

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  26. Cooper looks so soft and fluffy! Gahh it makes me want to pet him!

    New GFC follower! Thanks for stopping by earlier! ;)

    Betsy @ I Sold My Soul For Books

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  27. Of course he is adorable! That is a very cute picture thanks for sharing.

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  28. Frankenstein is one of my favourite books but it's been a long time since I've read it. Thanks for sharing those small parts of it.

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