YMMV / Monster: A Novel of Frankenstein

• Complete Monster: In this retelling of Frankenstein, the original novel's titular character and his libertine co-conspirator are worse in this novel than their original counterparts, from the original novel and real life respectively.
  • Victor Frankenstein is a medical student turned necromancer and alchemist, driven by the belief that as a powerful man he can do whatever he wants. Framing the young apothecary Friedrich Hoffmann for the vicious murder of the latter's fiancée, Johanna Klemmen, resulting in Friedrich's execution, Frankenstein uses Friedrich's brain to construct a patchwork being using the dark arts, having previously trapped a woman he calls "Sophie" in her own severed head with her teeth and larynx removed. Abandoning Friedrich when his lair is compromised, and having created a magical bond between them, Frankenstein takes advantage of Friedrich's frenzied search for him to abduct hundreds of youths. Confronted by Friedrich, Frankenstein eventually reveals that the captives will be part of a performance involving various hideous acts of torture and murder. Frankenstein also reveals that he and his guests have full control over Friedrich and allows his female guests to rape the latter. Pressuring Friedrich into compliance by promising to bring Johanna back, Frankenstein expresses a morbid curiosity whether Johanna will still love Friedrich in his new form.
  • The Marquis de Sade is a depraved playwright and novelist who acts as a co-conspirator to Victor Frankenstein. Shortly after he is introduced, the Marquis sexually abuses the sapient severed head "Sophie" with Frankenstein's permission. Upon returning, the Marquis expresses disdain for Friedrich's conscience, expressing his intentions to force Friedrich to perform sex acts as part of the performance where hundreds of youths are sexually abused, tortured, and killed in various horrific ways onstage. Initially intending to rape Friedrich's "bride", the Marquis is only prevented from doing so due to Frankenstein's pragmatism.
• Realism-Induced Horror: Much of the novel's horror comes from the ability of the villains to use their power and privilege to evade justice even after they commit horrific atrocities.