Ygor by Lee Murphy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Ygor
Book Review: Fleshing out
Summary: 5 Stars
In his latest novel, 'Ygor', Lee Murphy takes a one-dimensional, marginal character and puts meat on the bones, emotion in the heart and a unique intelligence in the tormented mind of one of horror's most famous, but unknown, persons.
Mary Shelly's original story, 'Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus' (the original title) had no Ygor. Ygor was an invention of James Whale for his 1931 film, 'Frankenstein'. In the film, he is named 'Fritz', but it is the same, misshapen, unfortunate creature we all know as Ygor (or Igor).
The film Ygor was one dimensional, an ignorant, bumbling fool, and in my opinion, was nothing more than a contrivance to explain how the monster came to possess a criminal brain.
Mr. Murphy takes the film's Ygor, and like Victor Frankenstein, brings him to life, creating a complete, feeling, thinking, person from bits and pieces of cultural legend and myth. In Ygor, we find the best and the worst of humanity. We find that sometimes, good men are forced to commit evil deeds. Further, the doctor, Ygor's abusive master, shows that even the evil have compassionate moments.
I agree with a former reviewer that 'Ygor' is Lee Murphy's finest work to date. It will appeal not only to the fans of horror fiction, but also to those who have an interest in the psychology of the human condition.
I highly recommend Ygor.
Book Review: Hump? What hump?
Summary: 5 Stars
Sorry - am being flippant as Marty Feldman answers Gene Wilder from Young Frankenstein when asked about being a hunchback -
Lee Murphy has gone beyond what many of us have read about Ygor other than Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and the old movies based on the book.
Ygor, a benevolent young man, is sent by an abbot to help make a rundown castle that an important gentleman bought habitable for him, and to be of help to him when he is expected to arrive there.
Ygor is a nice soul - does remarkable things to make the castle presentable for his new 'master' - but as Frankenstein arrives with many new and most strange things, and plans to build areas where his 'New Man' will be created, we see Ygor's innocence of the world, his willingness to please, then his growth as a person.
Where Frankenstein may be brilliant, it is to Ygor he goes to help create the pieces of machinery needed for his work, so we see Ygor is also in his own way, brilliant.
The cruelty that Ygor endures hurts the reader and he tolerates this cruelty by flickers of kindness such as showing Ygor books, animals he's never seen, etc. You feel for Ygor as a man, you marvel the Ygor as an engineer of machinery, hurt for Ygor what he has to endure.
Lee Murphy has given us a bright new angle to this timeless story, and one with an ending that is most satisfying. Murphy's writing flows and unfolds at an amazing pace.
Excellent read.
Book Review: Mary Shelley Would be Proud
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd read Mary Shelley's original back when I was in high school. I've seen a dozen and one different film versions. I've read what the Dean of Horror has had to say about Dr. F.'s creation in his book Prodigal Son and the two sequels. I've pretty much read and seen just about everything I could about old Frank, even watched the Munsters, seen 'em all, lots a times. I've even seen the campy, stupid television shows about his bride. So really, is it possible to do a new take on Ms. Shelley's story?
I didn't think so, but being a fan of the man created from body parts and also a fan of Lee Murphy's (I'd read and liked his three George Kodiak books, Heretofor: Unknown, Where Legend's Roam and Naitaka) I was pretty sure I was going to like this book, even if I didn't find anything new or original about the big guy in it.
First off let me say I was way wrong about not finding anything original in YGOR. I don't know how one could be more original. Mary Shelley's story told from YGOR's point of view, what a delicious idea. I wish I'd thought of it. I bet a lot of horror writers out there are going to be slapping themselves upside the head when they read this book. What a great idea! And it had been out there all these years waiting for somebody to think it up. All it took was a writer with a vision. Okay, I'm laying it on a bit thick here, but that's probably because I finished the book about five minutes ago and enjoyed it more than I can say.
But a word of warning for Lee Murphy fans, if you're expecting the kind of action you've come to expect with the Kodiak books, you'll have to wade through Ygor's trials and tribulations before you get to the good stuff. You know, the killing and the action and the plain old excitement you've come to expect from Lee's work. But there is a consolation prize and that is that Ygor is fascinating as get out. I was well and truly captivated by this guy. Ygor is an individual for the ages, so is Mary Shelley's monster. We all have a special place in our hearts for the monster. Now, thanks to Lee, we can make room for Ygor too.
Book Review: Very imaginative, and Murphy's best novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Lee Murphy is known for his cryptozoological fiction, which I thought started off with room for improvement but has gotten better with each novel. Ygor takes him in a whole new direction, with fascinating results. Murphy eschewed the overdose of gore so common in horror novels today and instead reimagined a classic from a new angle. Ygor is a great character, and he keeps the reader's interest throughout as he sees events you thought you knew about (plus some where Murphy has filled gaps or created new backstory in the classic Frankenstein myth). The atmosphere is terrifc and the result is just plain fun. Great work, Lee.Book Review: YGOR DELIVERS...
Summary: 5 Stars
This may be heresy to some who have read this book, but I've never been interested in Dr. Frankenstein, his horrific creation, or his deformed assistant. I'm not sure why, as I'm a fan of things that go bump in the night, but there it is. After reading Lee Murphy's first book, Where Legends Roam, and through various subsequent circumstances, I came to know Lee and - full disclosure here - we became friends. So when Lee told me of his plan to write a book inspired by Frankenstein, told from the point of view of Igor (Ygor as he is identified in Lee's book) I couldn't help but acknowledge the genius of the idea. Taking a satellite character from one of the most famous stories the world has ever known, and placing them in the storytellers spotlight would undoubtably bring a fresh and interesting perspective to the tale. I found my lack of enthusiasm for the original tale being overcome by the possibilities of this new approach.
Now that book is a reality. It has a creased spine and sits on a shelf in my bookcase. I have read it (several times during its creation) with a critical eye, as Lee has asked. Initially I feared it would be a book I would have to work at to get interested in, but happily that was not the case at all. In fact, with the very first paragraph an empathetic interest in this unfortunate character - with his terrible deformities, his innocent and basic intelligence, the hint at his shunned existence among other people - began growing in me; all this from the first, shortish paragraph! And with every page that followed I found my time and emotional investment rewarded.
I'll not go into my own summary of the story - many others will do that here. But I will challenge anyone reading this to click on the displayed book's cover and read the first pages of this book; in those pages I believe you will find something special in the sea of fiction available; something you will want to experience through to the shocking climax!
This is the best Lee Murphy book to date and should not be missed!