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Frankenstein REC
A theatre troupe comes to town performing “Frankenstein” A young female reporter, who is investigating the legend, believes that the novel is not a fiction but the true story of a group of alchemists, founded by the young doctor Victor Frankenstein.
In 1817, they managed to defeat mortality and return from the dead. Interviewing the theatre troupe members, the reporter is confronted with the dark heroes of the novel, who appear in the city more alive than ever.
Her investigations lead her to a universe of monsters and finally to a revelation about the secret of an eternal love that defies even death.
But what is real and what is just her imagination? Who are these “actors”? Why have they come to her town? And who even is this young reporter?
In 1817, they managed to defeat mortality and return from the dead. Interviewing the theatre troupe members, the reporter is confronted with the dark heroes of the novel, who appear in the city more alive than ever.
Her investigations lead her to a universe of monsters and finally to a revelation about the secret of an eternal love that defies even death.
But what is real and what is just her imagination? Who are these “actors”? Why have they come to her town? And who even is this young reporter?
- GenresHorror
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2014
2 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Costas Zapas
1 book12 followersCostas Zapas is an author and film director, born in Athens, Greece. Named by Cineuropa as "one of the most outstanding directors of contemporary auteur cinema" and by the Guardian as "one of the main protagonists of the burgeoning Greek new cinema wave", he is one of the most original auteur directors in Europe. His feature film "Minor Freedoms" was financed and coproduced by Lars von Trier's production company Zentropa. His first novel was published in 2001 to critical acclaim in Greece. "Frankenstein REC" is soon to become a feature film by Minus Pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 16, 2015
"The souls of men do not grow old."
This is a really interesting story that kept my attention, with a different kind of look at the story of Frankenstein. At times it reads like a biography, or like a journal a reporter is keeping on a particular subject. At other times, it read like a documentary, following a young reporter through her life, as she searches out the mysteries of her nightmares and Frankenstein. There is a lot of history on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, as well as conspiracy theories regarding the events that took place in her book.
The story begins with the young reporter (the author doesn't really use names, instead choosing to call people by their professions) having a horrible nightmare and, when waking up, being unaware of whether she's awake or still dreaming. Her doctor tells her that these are "narcoleptic fits" (a phrase WAY overused in this story). As the story goes on, you see her evolve as she learns more about herself, her illness, and the people that were involved in the original story.
Things begin to change in her small town when a theater troupe comes to town to do one showing of the Frankenstein play. Her interviews are pretty weird, but at the same time, pretty awesome.
My favorite character is the one she thinks of as Victor. I love the way he's described in the book: "There was something unique about him. With a uniqueness that penetrates his soul. It gave him alternately the air of a noble aristocrat and of some kind of beast." He was just really interesting from the very first meeting.
I loved the writing, and was irritated by the writing, all at the same time. The author seems to ramble quite a bit, and some of it is repetitive. It could have used an editor to fix some of the grammatical and punctuation issues, as well as fix the monotonous descriptions (i.e. when she first meets Viktor in the basement: his looks, his attire, the basement; the bag she has that's covered in skulls; the cheapness of the video camera).
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my personal impressions of the book.
This is a really interesting story that kept my attention, with a different kind of look at the story of Frankenstein. At times it reads like a biography, or like a journal a reporter is keeping on a particular subject. At other times, it read like a documentary, following a young reporter through her life, as she searches out the mysteries of her nightmares and Frankenstein. There is a lot of history on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, as well as conspiracy theories regarding the events that took place in her book.
The story begins with the young reporter (the author doesn't really use names, instead choosing to call people by their professions) having a horrible nightmare and, when waking up, being unaware of whether she's awake or still dreaming. Her doctor tells her that these are "narcoleptic fits" (a phrase WAY overused in this story). As the story goes on, you see her evolve as she learns more about herself, her illness, and the people that were involved in the original story.
Things begin to change in her small town when a theater troupe comes to town to do one showing of the Frankenstein play. Her interviews are pretty weird, but at the same time, pretty awesome.
My favorite character is the one she thinks of as Victor. I love the way he's described in the book: "There was something unique about him. With a uniqueness that penetrates his soul. It gave him alternately the air of a noble aristocrat and of some kind of beast." He was just really interesting from the very first meeting.
I loved the writing, and was irritated by the writing, all at the same time. The author seems to ramble quite a bit, and some of it is repetitive. It could have used an editor to fix some of the grammatical and punctuation issues, as well as fix the monotonous descriptions (i.e. when she first meets Viktor in the basement: his looks, his attire, the basement; the bag she has that's covered in skulls; the cheapness of the video camera).
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my personal impressions of the book.
July 21, 2014
Mary Shelley's `Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus' rethought,
Or as the promo reads, `Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and Victor Frankenstein in a galvanizing conspiracy for the creation of the new living deaths in a just published book and upcoming movie give a new take on the infamous Monster and its creator.' Greek author and film director Costas Zapas has released a novel that oddly enough is place in the Young Adult category - not to infer that is a limitation to young adults hungry for yet more scary stories because the long honored Mary Shelley's 1818/1823 novel FRANKENSTEIN has a far wider audience internationally, being considered the first examples of science fiction. Zapas is a highly honored filmmaker in Greece and throughout Europe an indeed this book is already optioned for transformation as a film
The novel starts in the dark (a nightmare that is actually a vision for a young reporter) and stays there as a new version of the Frankenstein story unveils. The young female reporter works for a weekly program for ghostly stories in a small town TV channel and a blog with the strange name "The Frankenstein's' disease" uncovers the "true story of Frankenstein, as it happened in 1817. Convinced that Mary Shelley's novel is not fiction but reality, she changes her appearance to that of a Goth in hair, makeup and gothic outfit and makes it her quest to find the real Victor Frankenstein and his fellow alchemists, who in 1817 discovered the secret of eternal life and are still living among us. For this reason, when a touring theatre company comes to her town, putting on a production of "Frankenstein", it immediately catches her attention. Obsessed with the famous tale, and beset by visions and nightmares of monsters during the narcoleptic fits she suffers, the young girl starts interviewing members of the troupe for an exclusive in her ghostly TV program and blog. As a result she comes face to face with Mary Shelley's heroes, who appear in the town - and consequently in her life - more alive and alarming than ever, and apparently concealing secrets of eternal life. The more she becomes entwined in their world, the more she loses touch with her own.
FRANKENSTEIN REC is a fascinating new take on the 19th century gothic horror classic that renews the story of Victor Frankenstein in an unforeseen way. Zapas writes in short pungent chapters, each adding a building block to the fortress of his story. Somehow because of his style and attention to both history and detail of the contemporary times the story works very well indeed.
Or as the promo reads, `Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and Victor Frankenstein in a galvanizing conspiracy for the creation of the new living deaths in a just published book and upcoming movie give a new take on the infamous Monster and its creator.' Greek author and film director Costas Zapas has released a novel that oddly enough is place in the Young Adult category - not to infer that is a limitation to young adults hungry for yet more scary stories because the long honored Mary Shelley's 1818/1823 novel FRANKENSTEIN has a far wider audience internationally, being considered the first examples of science fiction. Zapas is a highly honored filmmaker in Greece and throughout Europe an indeed this book is already optioned for transformation as a film
The novel starts in the dark (a nightmare that is actually a vision for a young reporter) and stays there as a new version of the Frankenstein story unveils. The young female reporter works for a weekly program for ghostly stories in a small town TV channel and a blog with the strange name "The Frankenstein's' disease" uncovers the "true story of Frankenstein, as it happened in 1817. Convinced that Mary Shelley's novel is not fiction but reality, she changes her appearance to that of a Goth in hair, makeup and gothic outfit and makes it her quest to find the real Victor Frankenstein and his fellow alchemists, who in 1817 discovered the secret of eternal life and are still living among us. For this reason, when a touring theatre company comes to her town, putting on a production of "Frankenstein", it immediately catches her attention. Obsessed with the famous tale, and beset by visions and nightmares of monsters during the narcoleptic fits she suffers, the young girl starts interviewing members of the troupe for an exclusive in her ghostly TV program and blog. As a result she comes face to face with Mary Shelley's heroes, who appear in the town - and consequently in her life - more alive and alarming than ever, and apparently concealing secrets of eternal life. The more she becomes entwined in their world, the more she loses touch with her own.
FRANKENSTEIN REC is a fascinating new take on the 19th century gothic horror classic that renews the story of Victor Frankenstein in an unforeseen way. Zapas writes in short pungent chapters, each adding a building block to the fortress of his story. Somehow because of his style and attention to both history and detail of the contemporary times the story works very well indeed.
November 15, 2014
Ιτ ιs probably the most intriguing new take on the famous Gothic saga, with a great twist that most people would never think about, as Miranda writes in her review here.
A girl next door wakes up from one of these scary dreams that you don't really know if you dreamed of it or you have really been there, in this horrible dream. Working as a reporter in the decaying local TV channel of her small city, in a program that presents spooky stories, the bloody letters she sees on her wall in her borderline dream make her concentrate on the Frankenstein story. Sure that it is not only a novel, but it really happened, the young reporter goes all the way to hell to find the truth. But the truth is so unexpected in this book, that the young reporter finds herself in a reality she (and the readers) never expected.
And when a touring theater troupe presents "Frankenstein" in her town, she decides to interview the theater members for her TV program. The love story that starts on the first interview with the young actor playing Victor Frankenstein will really turn her life upside down. The meeting will open an new chapter in her life, that seems to be an old one. What facts she discovers will change her life forever, although that is not easy to say.
Language an plot made me enjoy this book to the full. Maybe the best new take on the Frankenstein saga, but at the same time a unique new story.
A girl next door wakes up from one of these scary dreams that you don't really know if you dreamed of it or you have really been there, in this horrible dream. Working as a reporter in the decaying local TV channel of her small city, in a program that presents spooky stories, the bloody letters she sees on her wall in her borderline dream make her concentrate on the Frankenstein story. Sure that it is not only a novel, but it really happened, the young reporter goes all the way to hell to find the truth. But the truth is so unexpected in this book, that the young reporter finds herself in a reality she (and the readers) never expected.
And when a touring theater troupe presents "Frankenstein" in her town, she decides to interview the theater members for her TV program. The love story that starts on the first interview with the young actor playing Victor Frankenstein will really turn her life upside down. The meeting will open an new chapter in her life, that seems to be an old one. What facts she discovers will change her life forever, although that is not easy to say.
Language an plot made me enjoy this book to the full. Maybe the best new take on the Frankenstein saga, but at the same time a unique new story.
September 16, 2014
This is a fresh look on an old story. A young reporter has a nightmare, which ends up being a vision,and starts her on the road to finding out the truth behind Mary Shelly's book Frankenstein. This is a fast paced story with interesting characters and an unique theory that the book tells of the discovery of immortality. I liked the idea that the original story was based on truth and loved the way the reporter was so hell bent on finding out the truth. This is a good book for a horror lovers and a great twist that most people would never think about.
August 23, 2014
I kept reading this as I was expecting much more from it especially as it is to be turned into a movie. For myself I found it a bit weird but still fairly enjoyable I don't feel I can say much else about the story without giving anything away. Just have to try it for yourself.
July 16, 2015
The story was good although the twist was not a great surprise (the story on the back cover can be a spoiler if you are an avid reader).However, I liked it a lot and at times it was a little frightening which I enjoyed a lot.
Very interesting piece of work.
Very interesting piece of work.
November 14, 2014
I just couldn’t do it guys; I couldn’t force myself to continue this book. It is very rare for me not to finish a book – and this will be my first unfinished book of this year – but I could not bring myself to feel like I was wasting time on something that isn’t satisfying me, not entertaining me, in the least.
The main character, which is left unnamed (at least for as far into the book as I got, 121 pages), is a reporter who all of the sudden starts dressing like a goth and her reasoning is that it will help her get more information about the possibility that the whole Frankenstein story is based on facts. She then convinces her boss at the news station to let her do a darker themed goth style show which takes off and is a huge hit. None of this is believable in the slightest. The unnamed reporter is nothing more than a poser fraud and it’s highly unlikely that a segment like hers that is described in the book would be the massive hit on an evening news program, to the likes of which that the author wants you to believe that it is. And the whole goth thing…the author obviously has no clue as to what he is writing about and has to constantly mention her “goth boots” and “backpack with the skulls on it”. I can’t even tell you how many times these two statements are uttered in the short time I read this book. It’s as if he is constantly trying to convince us (and perhaps himself) that this girl is a goth, but he himself has no real inkling as to what that is, but as long as he keeps saying “goth boots” and “backpack with the skulls on it”, all will be right with this little pretender!
My problem with the writing definitely doesn’t end there. The boss of the news station is also left unnamed and that isn’t a problem so much either, but he is solely referred to as “the local media mogul”. Really, dude? You couldn’t come up with anything better to call this guy than “the local media mogul”? At first I didn’t think anything of it, but quickly realized that this was going to be what this guy is called throughout the book.
And here is my favorite: “answer phone”. What in the fuck is an “answer phone”? Answer phone is what this author writes to describe a TELEPHONE! And learnt….yet another term that this author uses way too much and at times and places in the book that makes no sense.
The writing is just bad in this book; the author spends way too much time to explain things that ultimately lead to nothing and some of the “plot points” that come up leave you with no sense of a threat for the characters like it should. He spends page after page of needless exposition, just to have the entire sequence fizzle out and leave you wondering “why the hell did he even write that?”
What about the Frankenstein monster and people of the book who have figured out how to live immortal lives? Well, I only got to one encounter (which didn’t include the monster) and it was about as interesting as watching a snail slog across the pavement. With how uninteresting this encounter was, coupled with the bad writing, I just couldn’t keep trudging along through this book. Sucking it up and finishing bad movies is one thing, but a book is much more of a commitment and I refuse to waste valuable reading time on a book that just isn’t doing it for me in any way. On to the next –and hopefully better – book I go
The main character, which is left unnamed (at least for as far into the book as I got, 121 pages), is a reporter who all of the sudden starts dressing like a goth and her reasoning is that it will help her get more information about the possibility that the whole Frankenstein story is based on facts. She then convinces her boss at the news station to let her do a darker themed goth style show which takes off and is a huge hit. None of this is believable in the slightest. The unnamed reporter is nothing more than a poser fraud and it’s highly unlikely that a segment like hers that is described in the book would be the massive hit on an evening news program, to the likes of which that the author wants you to believe that it is. And the whole goth thing…the author obviously has no clue as to what he is writing about and has to constantly mention her “goth boots” and “backpack with the skulls on it”. I can’t even tell you how many times these two statements are uttered in the short time I read this book. It’s as if he is constantly trying to convince us (and perhaps himself) that this girl is a goth, but he himself has no real inkling as to what that is, but as long as he keeps saying “goth boots” and “backpack with the skulls on it”, all will be right with this little pretender!
My problem with the writing definitely doesn’t end there. The boss of the news station is also left unnamed and that isn’t a problem so much either, but he is solely referred to as “the local media mogul”. Really, dude? You couldn’t come up with anything better to call this guy than “the local media mogul”? At first I didn’t think anything of it, but quickly realized that this was going to be what this guy is called throughout the book.
And here is my favorite: “answer phone”. What in the fuck is an “answer phone”? Answer phone is what this author writes to describe a TELEPHONE! And learnt….yet another term that this author uses way too much and at times and places in the book that makes no sense.
The writing is just bad in this book; the author spends way too much time to explain things that ultimately lead to nothing and some of the “plot points” that come up leave you with no sense of a threat for the characters like it should. He spends page after page of needless exposition, just to have the entire sequence fizzle out and leave you wondering “why the hell did he even write that?”
What about the Frankenstein monster and people of the book who have figured out how to live immortal lives? Well, I only got to one encounter (which didn’t include the monster) and it was about as interesting as watching a snail slog across the pavement. With how uninteresting this encounter was, coupled with the bad writing, I just couldn’t keep trudging along through this book. Sucking it up and finishing bad movies is one thing, but a book is much more of a commitment and I refuse to waste valuable reading time on a book that just isn’t doing it for me in any way. On to the next –and hopefully better – book I go
December 17, 2015
I am a sucker for a 'different' take on a classic story. I enjoyed this one, though it wasn't a 'couldn't put it down'. More of a 3.5 stars
November 14, 2014
I love this book. The plot and the heroes are very strong built. A must read not only for the friends of gothic horror and Frankenstein, but for anyone who enjoys reading great love stories.
February 24, 2015
My full critique is on lurid-lit. Engaging, twisting and engrossing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews