FRANKENSTEIN ON @AUDIBLE
NARRATED BY DAN STEVENS
Written by Janna Wong
I am one of those people who managed to escape reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for almost my entire life. I was familiar with the movies, of course. In fact, I have seen several iterations of the screen version (who has time to watch all 145 versions or adaptations featuring Frankenstein or a wannabe Frankensteins…Herman Munster anyone?).
And then, 10 years ago, I joined Audible.com. In my nascent days on the site, I decided to spend time listening to the classic novels that I should have read in school but never did (who has time for reading when you’re in high school or college?!). One of the first titles I selected was Frankenstein. I finally was going to hear the story of the scientist who experiments in his lab and creates a humanistic monster. This novel is not your typical tale of a scary ogre who scares children until everything ends happily ever after. No, this novel, written at the age of 18 by Mary Shelley, is frightening and overwhelming to the senses.
Many scholars consider Shelly’s novel about the fractured relationship between the monster and his creator to be the start of the horror genre. Others consider this rather slim novel to be the first true piece of science fiction. No matter. Most analysts believe that Shelley’s novel continues to influence literature and pop culture today, 205 years after it was first published. Who knew that this novel, written over one weekend when Mary, Lord Byron (her stepsister’s lover), Percy Bysshe Shelley (who would become Mary’s husband) and Byron’s physician John Polidori were trapped inside a cabin due to inclement weather and decided to hold a competition to see who could write the best ghost story. No surprise, Mary’s Frankenstein won! Even now, 205 years later, continues its impact as it recently found a place on the BBC’s list of “100 Most Influential Novels.”
So, with my new membership in Audible.com, I selected Frankenstein narrated by Dan Stevens. You might recognize the narrator’s name. He portrayed Lady Mary Crawley’s husband Matthew in three seasons of Downton Abbey. Listening to Mr. Stevens narrate this classic tragedy is a sublime and wonderful experience. His narration is careful and respectful. His voice and tenor change with each character so you are never confused about whom is speaking. Mostly, he treats this novel as the work of art that it is.
As I listened, my device in hand or connected to my car, I realized I was walking much farther, or hoping to find myself stuck in traffic just a little longer so I could continue the journey created by Shelly and narrated by Stevens. I finished the book in record time, crying near the end and being intensely moved by the words of Mary Shelley and spoken by Dan Stevens.
Little did I know how Stevens’ narration of this novel would affect me. As I wrote in my review of the book on Audible.com, “…the incredible narration by Dan Stevens was a fantastic way to experience this masterful piece of writing. The book is at turns exciting, action-packed, sad, and dramatic. Dan Stevens’ nuanced performance captures every mood from every character.”
I’m not sure I would have appreciated Shelley’s novel quite so completely had I read it in high school or college. The emotions she creates are deep and unforgettable. Today, Shelley’s creation continues to be a beautiful and impactful tragedy that will stay with you for years to come…especially if you listen to the book narrated by Dan Stevens.
