Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match

I came across Angelika Frankenstein by chance. It was recommended to me on the front page of my Kobo shop, and having enjoyed Frankenstein, I thought why not. I had just read Lady Macbethad and found re-tellings of parts of known texts to be interesting. It reminded me of a task I had to do in A-Level English. We were asked to take a secondary character from the text, Frankenstein in fact, and write from their perspective. I chose the little girl who encountered the ‘monster’ in the woods.

Synopsis

The Frankenstein family were blessed with finding their true love and lived happily married. Over the years helping her brother, Victor Frankenstein, with his experiments, Angelika mused over the idea of conducting her own project and set out for work. Although beautiful, intelligent, and rich, Angelika wanted to find love her own way and makes her own match… similar to how Victor made his own experiment.

Once her beautifully designed lover awakens, her hopes for true love is dissolved as he seeks to find out about his past. Whilst searching to uncover his past, another man joins the hunt which creates a love triangle as she is tugged back and forth between the two.

Review

This review will be a bit choppy and I apologise in advance.

A brilliantly fun read, spooky and humorous. Sally had invented a witty and fun character in Angelika. She is stubborn and immature, and we follow as she explores a part of her identity that she pushed aside in favour of knowledge. Her brother, Victor, prevents her from fulfilling her true intellectual potential. She goes from a strong willed intellect with some interest of marriage to seeking only marriage and a domestic lifestyle. Also, we watch as she goes from a spoilt and bored young lady who mistreats her loved ones, to reflect on her decisions as the book progresses.

Warning: without my saying, you can probably guess some things she purposely chooses to make her match… This may make readers uncomfortable. There are also some religious references that may offend readers.

The writing is fast paced, easy to follow, and enjoyable. I found it smooth and humorous, with a lot of action. The word choices create a lively and humoristic tone between brother and sister. Though, at times, some bold and uncomfortable discourse between brother and sister may cause discomfort towards readers. Myself included. But, I believe this was purposeful to show how detached she is from reality, making her seem odd and weird.

We were kept wondering how or if Angelika would find love with her creation, or if he will try to seep back into his former life before he was taken away so early. During the hunt for Victor’s creation, we are momentarily in a love triangle as a new man presents himself as a potential suitor for Angelika. This provides a space for her to reflect on the reality of her impulsive decision and her love towards her creation. We too, reflect on our own opinions on her character, as well as the creatures and mans, as the book unfolds.

I wouldn’t read this again, but it was a quick read that ignited an interest to read more books on re-tellings of characters relating to well known classics.