Gris Grimly's Frankenstein
#1 in Gris Grimly's Frankenstein Series
What’s inside...
Gris Grimly, the New York Times bestselling artist and creator of Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Madness, presents a lavishly illustrated adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein. This unique version combines elements of graphic and prose novels, using an abridged version of the original text. Grimly's adaptation highlights the hubris of Victor Frankenstein, the innocence of his monstrous creation, and the darkest desires of the human heart, presenting the tale in a vivid and innovative format that is both beautifully terrifying and terrifyingly beautiful.
Discussion points
What emotions did you feel while reading about the creature’s journey? Why do you think you felt that way?
How do the actions of Dr. Frankenstein affect the creature? What could he have done differently?
What do you think the creature wants most in the world? What would you do if you were in his position?
How does the story change your thoughts about what it means to be a 'monster'? Can someone be misunderstood rather than truly monstrous?
In what ways do you think being kind or unkind impacted the events in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to consider the feelings and perspectives of both the creature and Dr. Frankenstein.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the book to help your child understand the complexity of the characters' decisions.
Connect the story to personal experiences or current events to make the themes more relatable and understandable for the child.
Highlight the importance of acceptance and understanding differences, using the creature’s experiences as a learning point.
Foster a deeper understanding by asking your child to predict alternative endings based on different character decisions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Gris Grimly's adaptation of Frankenstein emphasizes the importance of empathy by portraying the monster’s longing for companionship and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and share the feelings of their peers, enhancing social interactions and friendships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for One's Actions
Explanation: The novel highlights the consequences of Victor Frankenstein's actions in creating the monster and abandoning it, demonstrating the importance of taking responsibility.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to consider the consequences of their actions and to take responsibility for them, both in personal and communal contexts.
Example Lesson: The Value of Perseverance
Explanation: Despite numerous challenges, the characters in the story demonstrate perseverance, a quality that ultimately leads to profound self-discoveries and lessons.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to persist through difficulties in their own lives, be it in school or while learning new skills.
Example Lesson: The Dangers of Blind Ambition
Explanation: Victor’s obsessive ambition to defeat natural order serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of pursuing goals without considering ethical implications and potential fallout.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of setting balanced and ethical goals, and the impact their ambitions can have on themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of Differences
Explanation: Through the monster’s experiences of isolation due to its appearance, the story teaches the importance of accepting and celebrating differences.
Real-World Application: This can help children embrace diversity, fostering a more inclusive attitude towards peers who might seem different from them.