Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley first published in 1818. The Gothic horror and science-fiction story follows a scientific genius dogged by insanity who brings to life a monster that torments him.
So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.
Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: summary, themes, characters & study questions. The scientist, the creature, dangerous knowledge — read the full text free online.
Published in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Gothic novel that explores the disaster that ensues after Victor Frankenstein, a natural philosophy student, unlocks creation’s secrets and arrogantly brings to life a monstrous creature.
The complete text of Frankenstein is here available in both of its major editions, along with a catalogue of all the variants between the editions.
Short summary: Frankenstein is a classic in the Western horror genre of literature. The novel follows a young scientist who becomes obsessed with the idea of finding the secret to creating life. What he finds is that “playing God” is not all he thought it would be.