For the most part, St. Dominic’s literature program has taught stories that engage students—even if reading or writing isn’t their cup of tea. From Tuesdays With Morrie to All Creatures Great and Small, there’s only one novel I can truly say that I hate: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Since I’ve studied the book through and through, I’ve also earned the right to tear it apart.

Shelley’s classic horror story takes readers through the life of a disturbed scientist named Victor Frankenstein. In an attempt to discover the secret of life, Frankenstein fashions a creature out of old body parts. I’ll spare you the consequences of his actions in case you have yet to experience the horrors of this sad excuse of a “classic novel,” but you can imagine what would result from such a problematic idea.

Shelley was only 18  years old when a nightmare sparked this unique idea for her story—thus, she was an inexperienced writer. An idea as delicate and brilliant as the one Shelley possessed should have been treated with more care, but publishers didn’t waste any time releasing the story to the public. Her writing style is beautiful, but her execution of the story is sloppy.

My last issue with Frankenstein is the plot of the story—it’s predictable and boring. If teachers want students to pay attention in class, they ought to teach something a little more exciting than Frankie. There are plenty of wonderful books to choose from!