The Ultimate Frankenstein: New Stories by Some of the World's Leading Authors [Paperback]

Brian Aldiss (Author), Kurt Vonnegut (Author), Loren D. Estleman (Author), Various Authors (Author), Byron Preiss (Editor), C. B. Mordan (Illustrator), Issac Asimov (Introduction)

Product Details

• Paperback: 327 pages
• Publisher: Dell (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440503523
• ISBN-13: 978-0440503521
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,693,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant patch-work, December 17, 2000

By 

"missxaos" (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Frankenstein: New Stories by Some of the World's Leading Authors (Paperback)

A well-crafted compilation of tales; a good deal more discriminating than most monster/horror collections (because less material on Frankenstein's monster?). A great many of these stories are literature - some poignant, sentimental, mostly tragic and some actually scary; just like the myth that was their mother. The Vonnegut peice, "Fortitude" is a short play. While more simple in its statement and language than the other pieces, is fast and sharp on irony. "Monster of the Midway" is a short funny piece in a nontraditional arrangement, amusing even if you don't like football. "Pity the Monsters" has its pitiful and frightening moments. And Brian Aldiss' "Summertime was Nearly Over" almost made me cry. The creature that is the protoganist of Aldiss' story is achingly intelligent and well-spoken. But I think my favorite was "Creature on the Couch" despite its sudden and ambigous ending. It's funny and charming while being somewhat suspenseful, and maybe a little shocking as you re-read the ending again...

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some good stories but ultimately a collection of experiments, August 3, 2000

By 

Tim Lieder "Founder of Dybbuk Press" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ultimate Frankenstein: New Stories by Some of the World's Leading Authors (Paperback)

While some of the stories in this book are pretty good, most of them are just writing exercises by writers slumming in a collection. The Vonnegut story is dull and the cyberpunk story isn't anything new. Most of the other stories are either sequels to the book (which has the monster even more miserable than he was at the end of the novel) or to the movie (which are more fun just because the movies were more fun)

It's a short book and not terribly bad, but it's not altogether satisfying either.