Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus

By Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" remains a cornerstone of science fiction, horror, and Gothic literature. This timeless tale explores the terrifying consequences of unchecked ambition and scientific hubris. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, a brilliant scientist defies natural law and creates a being from lifeless matter.

The story plunges into the depths of morality as the creature, rejected and alone, seeks understanding and ultimately revenge on his creator. Shelley's masterpiece raises profound questions about the nature of humanity, responsibility, and the dangers of playing God. Experience the chilling narrative and enduring themes of this classic novel, a haunting exploration of creation and its repercussions. "Frankenstein" continues to captivate readers with its powerful imagery and enduring relevance.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023228491
• ISBN13: 9781023228497
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 178 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

"Curssed, curssed, creator." - The monster - just as curssed in any language

Victor grew up reading the works of Paracelsus, Agrippa, and Albertus Magnus, the alchemists of the time. Toss in a little natural philosophy (sciences) and you have the making of a monster. Or at least a being that, after being spurned for looking ugly, becomes ugly. So, for revenge, the creature decides that unless Victor makes another (female this time) creature, Victor will also suffer the loss of friends and relatives. What is Victor to do? Bow to the wishes and needs of his creation? Or challenge it to “the death”? What would you do? Although the concept of the monster is good, and the conflicts of the story are well thought out, Shelly suffers from the writing style of the time. Many people do not finish the book as the language is stilted and verbose, for example, when was the last time you said, "Little did I then expect the calamity that was in a few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish in horror and despair all fear of ignominy of death." Much of the book seems like a travel log filler. More time is spent describing the surroundings of Europe than the reason for traveling or just traveling. Many writers use traveling to reflect time passing or the character growing in stature or knowledge. In this story, they just travel a lot. This book is worth plodding through for moviegoers. The record needs to be set straight. The first shock is that the creator is named Victor Frankenstein; the creature is just a "monster", not Frankenstein. It is Victor who is backward, which adds to his doing the impossible by not knowing any better. The monster is well-read in "Sorrows of a Young Werther," "Paradise Lost," and Plutarch's "Lives." The debate (mixed with a few murders) rages on as to whether the monster was doing evil because of his nature or because he was spurned.