Podcast by Escape Pod read by Julie Davis
Originally published in Asimov's
The Baroness von Frankenstein can't stand an uppity creature, and wonders why didn't she marry a doctor or a banker instead of a mad scientist. She's cold and bitchy, but when the delightfully sarcastic Monster takes an interest in romance novels, he catalyzes some much needed introspection.
Undead creatures are an underused resource for self-improvement and marriage counseling. It was a good central conceit, and the story was decently funny, and a bit moving, but I don't think it's worthy of a Hugo. It was too saccharine, a bit obvious and not quite funny or thoughtful enough for that. Resnick is no Mel Brooks.
The Escape Pod podcast definitely seems better than the text story here. Julie Davis does pretty good voices, I'm particularly a fan of her Igor, and she captures a proper scientist-type enthusiasm for Victor in the lab scene. The Baroness is delightfully cold and haughty. Alasdair had a good outro, as usual, but I may be biased by my love of Spaced. And my opinion of this story may be slightly higher due to the reader and my love of Young Frankenstein.
Only 3.5 out of 5 romances end in tragedy. We've gone soft.
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