or, The Revolution of the Golden City: A Vision of the Nineteenth Century, Laon and Cythna - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Advantages: Timeless story, sweeping visualisation
Disadvantages: Old vernacular

...with the inevitable notion of comparing it to Stoker's Dracula. I have to say that the two books are very different albeit both lit a flame in a literary sense that still burns brightly today. With Frankenstein being so well known it's worth giving a brief introduction to its writer - Mary Shelley. Born in 1797, the daughter of William Godwin & Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary went on to become one of the world's most renowned writers. Her parents were both radical writers of their day providing something of an influence to the talented Mary. She met the then unknown, Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1814 with whom she eloped to the continent In 1816, residing on the shores of Lake Geneva, Percy suggested a ghost story competition inspiring Mary to start her original work. Subsequently finished in England, the book was initially met with mixed reviews on its... Read review

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Advantages: Gripping, topical, intriguing, clever
Disadvantages: 4 book series

...What better place to start than at the beginning. I was first introduced to the works of the author Tad Williams, through the wonderful Memory, Sorrow and Thorn fantasy trilogy. I was a little sceptical when he turned his hand at writing the Otherland series, as I would class it more as Science fiction. From experience of reading other authors who have attempted the same, I have felt the transition from one genre to another was not made successfully and was somewhat painful to read. In this instance, I am pleased to think there are no such problems here. The Otherland books are made up of four titles; City of Golden Shadow, River of Blue Fire, Mountain of Black Glass and Sea of Silver Light. I really do not want to give too much away as I find that is one the pleasures of reading, so I will try my hardest to summarise the first... Read review

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Advantages: Good classic literature, not too long, still relevant
Disadvantages: Not the easiest read

...Frankenstein, although not as popular as Dracula, is a horror classic. It was created by Mary Shelley when she, her husband (Percy Bysshe Shelley, the poet) and a friend (Lord Byron) were exchanging ghost stories and later developed in to a complete book. The beginning (and end) takes the form of letters written from a sailor, Robert Walton, to his sister, Margaret Saville. On his travels he picks up the scientist Victor Frankenstein, and in the main part of the book he recounts Victor’s tale (if you don’t want to know some plot, skip the bit between the stars) ************************************************** Frankenstein (who is the man, not the monster) was brought up in Geneva and went to university in Ingolstadt. Fascinated with science, he learned quickly and soon realised he could create life. He’s so enthusiastic... Read review

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