Father of Frankenstein

Rating:
Summary: One of best books I read in 1999
Review: Christopher Bram delivers an awe-inspiring portrait of the acclaimed Hollywood director James Whale in his book Father of Frankenstein. Above all an interesting and intriguing exploration of the mystery that surrounded the last days of James Whale, through to his inevitable tragic end, bringing in to his life the handsome yardman, Clayton Boone and expressively detailing his relationship with his maid, Maria.

If you have seen the film, a marvelous adaptation of the book, it may have left you feeling lugubrious and oddly empty; what stoked Boones' loyalty to Whale even after his ad-hoc rape attempt? Why did Whale do it? What is it he wanted from Boone? These were, at least, the questions the film raised in my mind, so I eagerly sought the book. Bram does not disappoint. He goes to great lenghts to explain the above questions and more. With eloquent and thorough ferocity he writes an all-enthralling account of the renowned eccentric James Whale. He opens each character with such delicacy and depth that you almost feel you know them, as you become intrigued as to how the paradox of human emotion Bram uses will climax.

In spite of the autonomy Bram gives the characters, you are still left wanting to know more; how Boone and Maria will carry on after Whales' death, do they keep in touch, but therein lies the books enchantment. Bram delivers an exciting and often times intensley erotic story, detailing all we need know about the intricacies of Whales' life and the blandness of Boones. The book encompasses both attributes with astounding reality and leaves you wanting to read on, past the back cover, to keep the characters and their relationships alive, one of the many reasons this book will haunt all who read it. A fact James Whale would undoubtedly be proud of himself.

A truly amazing book.

Rating:
Summary: Father of Frankenstein
Review: Christopher Bram does it again with yet another brilliant novel. The depth and the intelligence of this book and his ability to bring the characters so alive shows his ability as a novelist. If you only read one or a couple of books a year make it this one.
Highly Recommended indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling, Sexy & Enchanting!
Review: Having adored the movie "Gods and Monsters", I was afraid this book would pale in comparison. Not at all! If anything, the book is even more compelling than the movie. The characters are richer, deeper; they get under your skin and stay there. Bravo, Mr. Bram!

Rating:
Summary: A Whale of a Tale
Review: Historical fiction Hollywood style - circa 1957. Film director James Whale ('Frankenstein' and 'Bride of Frankenstein') suffers from mental erosion as a complication from his recent stroke. His life is now ruled by his past and the random surfacing of memories - childhood, poverty, horrific experiences in the trenches during WWI, his days as a celebrated film director, his life as a gay man in Hollywood, etc. It's all uncontrolled and very painful. Whale finds the fact that he will eventually lose his mind even more unbearable. Enter Clay Boone - a straight, hunky, "monster-sized" gardener hungry for life experience and drawn to the aged celebrity. Seeing Clay gives Whale an idea - he'll somehow have the monster/man kill him, therefore giving his life a sort of fitting conclusion. He will be the director of his death as well. FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN traces the developing relationship between Whale and Clay over the course of several weeks with surprising twists and equally moving turns as events progress towards a rewarding conclusion. A brilliantly imagined novel, a rich historical atmosphere, and a riveting character study. A wonderful read. Frightening, funny, sexy, and very unique.

Rating:
Summary: Elegant and poignant story-telling
Review: I have not yet seen Gods and Monsters, but now that I've finally read Father of Frankenstein, I want to see how this elegant and poignant novel translates onto the silver screen. Christopher Bram really is a master writer. His writing style is delicate, simple, and strong--a perfect match for the distinct personalities of feature characters James Whale and Clayton Boone.

Father of Frankenstein is an elegant and poignant tale about the hidden gay side of Hollywood, war stories, and dementia. Like the Frankenstein movies of James Whale, the book begins with a dark and stormy night, only not in the cliched terms of 19th-century hack Paul Clifford. Nonetheless, I drew an instant parallel with Paul Clifford's words: "It was a dark and stormy night . . . and the rain fell in torrents--except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."

In its own way, Father of Frankenstein is based off these words. James Whale, famous director of the movies he'd rather not be remembered for, had a stormy life beginning somewhere around London. Somewhere between his inauspicious beginnings as a impoverished child in a factory and his mysterious demise near Hollywood, he lived a full and colourful life. The book begins at the end, really, after James Whale is an old and shattered man. He's recovering from a stroke. Well, he'd like to believe he's recovering, but his worsening mental state disabuses him of that notion rather quickly. His damaged mind dwells more and more on the past until he can scarcely differentiate between the present and events forty years past.

And then there's Clayton Boone. He's a moody loner, a presager to James Dean, I suppose. Young, muscular, virile, and not too bright, he's everything James Whale looked for in a monster. But like Frankenstein's monster, Clayton Boone won't do what his creator wants him to do.

Rating:
Summary: Elegant and poignant story-telling
Review: I have not yet seen Gods and Monsters, but now that I've finally read Father of Frankenstein, I want to see how this elegant and poignant novel translates onto the silver screen. Christopher Bram really is a master writer. His writing style is delicate, simple, and strong--a perfect match for the distinct personalities of feature characters James Whale and Clayton Boone.

Father of Frankenstein is an elegant and poignant tale about the hidden gay side of Hollywood, war stories, and dementia. Like the Frankenstein movies of James Whale, the book begins with a dark and stormy night, only not in the cliched terms of 19th-century hack Paul Clifford. Nonetheless, I drew an instant parallel with Paul Clifford's words: "It was a dark and stormy night . . . and the rain fell in torrents--except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."

In its own way, Father of Frankenstein is based off these words. James Whale, famous director of the movies he'd rather not be remembered for, had a stormy life beginning somewhere around London. Somewhere between his inauspicious beginnings as a impoverished child in a factory and his mysterious demise near Hollywood, he lived a full and colourful life. The book begins at the end, really, after James Whale is an old and shattered man. He's recovering from a stroke. Well, he'd like to believe he's recovering, but his worsening mental state disabuses him of that notion rather quickly. His damaged mind dwells more and more on the past until he can scarcely differentiate between the present and events forty years past.

And then there's Clayton Boone. He's a moody loner, a presager to James Dean, I suppose. Young, muscular, virile, and not too bright, he's everything James Whale looked for in a monster. But like Frankenstein's monster, Clayton Boone won't do what his creator wants him to do.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and enjoyable
Review: I must echo the words of a previous reviewer who, like me, had read "Father of Frankenstein" after seeing "Gods and Monsters," and wanted some questions answered about what motivated various characters to do what they did. This book did an excellent job of answering those questions. Even though I knew the ending, I still enjoyed reading this book. My only complaints -- and they must be minor if I still gave the book five stars -- are that the movie had a more satisfying ending than the book did (Boone now has his war story, and he should have had the chance to tell it in the book), and I like the title "Gods and Monsters" better than "Father of Frankenstein." Still, if you liked the movie, get the book. You'll love it.

Rating:
Summary: Bram's bio reveals all sorts of 'monsters'!
Review: In "Father of Frankenstein" author Christopher Bram presents a mesmerizing account of the last days of Hollywood (and British) film director James Whale. Bram's book provided the basis of "Gods and Monsters," a 1998 film which drew critical praise as well.

Bram provides us with an insider's view of Whale's life--itself something of a horror story. His turbulent life--and lifestyle--haunted him until his death in 1957 (an "apparent" suicide). Of course, such things that Whale suffered

were never publicized--or much acknowledged--while he was still alive. In this biography Bram seems to pull no punches, as he deftly presents the life of Whale that few outside Hollywood knew (his homosexuality, for instance), especially his background growing up in England, his experiences in World War I, and so on.

Whether a fan of Whale (the classic films "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein" still have a following!) or not, the reader can expect a mesmerizing

read--something out of "Time" magazine and not the "National Inquirer"! At times, however, it does resemble "People" magazine a bit, but Bram does not resort to bitchy sensationalism to carry the book. He gives us a very interesting--but not altogether revealing--look at Hollywood in the Thirties. ([e-mail])

Rating:
Summary: Bram's bio reveals all sorts of 'monsters'!
Review: In "Father of Frankenstein" author Christopher Bram presents a mesmerizing account of the last days of Hollywood (and British) film director James Whale. Bram's book provided the basis of "Gods and Monsters," a 1998 film which drew critical praise as well.

Bram provides us with an insider's view of Whale's life--itself something of a horror story. His turbulent life--and lifestyle--haunted him until his death in 1957 (an "apparent" suicide). Of course, such things that Whale suffered

were never publicized--or much acknowledged--while he was still alive. In this biography Bram seems to pull no punches, as he deftly presents the life of Whale that few outside Hollywood knew (his homosexuality, for instance), especially his background growing up in England, his experiences in World War I, and so on.

Whether a fan of Whale (the classic films "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein" still have a following!) or not, the reader can expect a mesmerizing

read--something out of "Time" magazine and not the "National Inquirer"! At times, however, it does resemble "People" magazine a bit, but Bram does not resort to bitchy sensationalism to carry the book. He gives us a very interesting--but not altogether revealing--look at Hollywood in the Thirties. ([e-mail])

Rating:
Summary: I have to wonder.....
Review: This is a fairly well written fiction about the last days of director James Whale. While it was able to hold my attention I wonder how Mr. Whale would have liked to be remebered as just a old man who's mind had melted away by a stroke, and a bit of a pervert for getting the hots for his very young gardner. While Mr. Whale, in real life, had no problems with anyone knowing his sexual prefrence; Who he really want people remembering him as the non functioning man of his later years? But it does a fine job of showing Whale the artist and truly talented man that he was. I would reoncmend this as a good read, for the informed.