Frankenstein: A Kaplan SAT Score-Raising Classic (Kaplan Score Raising Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Shelley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Kaplan Score Raising Classics | Publication Date: December 23, 2003

Makes scoring higher so easy, it's scary!

Millions of readers have enjoyed the chilling tale of Frankenstein for its dark and gripping plot. But did you know that it's also packed with words you need to know for the SAT?

Learning words by reading them in context is the most effective way to expand your vocabulary, and this book can help you do just that! This edition of Frankenstein includes:

• 629 SAT vocabulary words highlighted throughout the text

• Definitions for each highlighted word on the facing page

• A word pronunciation guide

• Plus a special glossary that defines over 100 additional challenging vocabulary words

• It's a pain-free way to build your vocabulary -- and to score higher on the test!

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing (December 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074325578X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743255783
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Shelley was born in 1797, the only daughter of writers William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin. In 1814 she eloped with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, whom she married in 1816. She is best remembered as the author of Frankenstein, but she wrote several other works, including Valperga and The Last Man.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for SAT, but not the original version of Frankenstein, January 24, 2005

By 

Melissa M. Lawson "Melissa" (Fountain City, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frankenstein: A Kaplan SAT Score-Raising Classic (Kaplan Score Raising Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I ordered this book to use with my AP Literature class. I was already teaching Frankenstein, and thought that my students would really benefit from the extra SAT study as well. However, as we are going through the book, I find that the story in this book is very different from the old copies I had always taught from. Key parts of the story are changed, and many of the parts are rearranged. If you are looking for an accurate version of Mary Shelley's story, this may not be the one for you.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate and misleading, January 26, 2006

By 

Christine B. O'Connor - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frankenstein: A Kaplan SAT Score-Raising Classic (Kaplan Score Raising Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

We purchased this book to use in our accelerated curriculum since we have a substantial vocabulary unit connected to Frankenstein. However, a few days into the book, we are noticing major departures from Mary Shelley's novel. Kaplan has irresponsibly marketed this book as if it is the original version.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Classic of the 1800s + SAT Vocabulary Preparation, November 11, 2006

By 

mroxie "mroxie" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Frankenstein: A Kaplan SAT Score-Raising Classic (Kaplan Score Raising Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I initially decided to read this book for three reasons: 1) I thought it seemed like an interesting story, 2) it appeared on my school's required-reading list, and 3) I was able to find this SAT-prep version of it! 629 essential SAT words appear in bold throughout the main text and are defined along with synonyms on the lefthand opposite page. Other useful vocabulary words that aren't part of the SAT-vocab are underlined as they appear and are included in a glossary at the back of the book. For me, reading vocabulary in context is much more helpful than studying hundreds of words separately through flash cards.

Other reviewers have mentioned that this version is different from other editions of "Frankenstein" that they have seen before. This could be because the 1831 edition of the book is one of the most widely read versions; this SAT-prep version appears to be derived from the original 1818 edition. There are a some key plot differences between the two, but I don't think that Kaplan's use of a lesser-read (and earlier) version of "Frankenstein" detracts from the main purposes of the book: to entertain and to educate.

(Miniture Plot Synopsis): The story opens with a series of letters from a ship's captain, Walton, to his sister Margaret. He is sailing north of the Arctic Circle and his ship becomes surrounded by ice. He notices a man travelling across the ice pursuing a bizarre creature. The man, Victor Frankenstein, ends up coming onboard the ship and relating the strange tale of his life. Walton records Frankenstein's dialogue, which then becomes the narrative of the story.

Frankenstein was a bright and intelligent youth and deeply interested in alchemy. He left his family in Switzerland to study modern science in other countries of Europe. Through much research and effort, he discovered the method of constructing a human being. As to what he created the human out of, Frankenstein keeps these details vague (only mentioning various bones and parts). He specifically intends his creature to be handsome, but once his work is complete and the "creature" wakes up, he is horrified by its disfigured appearance and Frankenstein flees his laboratory. After this, the monster wanders off and later teaches himself how to speak and understand human conversation through observing a group of villagers.

When Frankenstein is hiking in the mountains, he is confronted by the monster. The monster tells him of all of his suffering and confusion and begs him to create a female counterpart that would be just as disfigured as he his, so they could live happily together in seclusion and not bother with humanity any longer. Frankenstein refuses this request, and then the monster plagues his life and the lives of his dear friends and family.

Shelley's style is incredibly descriptive, making it an obvious candidate for Kaplan's series of SAT-prep books. In fact, it's a good thing that I read this version, because I would've been fumbling around with a dictionary the whole time if I read an edition without a vocabulary guide!