Frankenstein

Name: Frankenstein
Price: 18.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781329846371

✍️ Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$18.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A student creates a monster from corpses, leading to tragic retribution.

This volume contains the original text of Shelley’s 1818 novel. It focuses on the young student who uses galvanism to bring life to dead tissue. The narrative tracks the creature's search for connection and subsequent turn to vengeance. Shelley structures the story around the consequences of playing God. The work belongs to the science fiction romance genre. It reflects early nineteenth-century anxieties about scientific progress. The book is organized chronologically through the events of the creation and its aftermath. Readers interested in Gothic literature will appreciate the detailed depiction of isolation and fear. Those preferring fast-paced action might find the psychological depth slow. The text does not include modern annotations or extensive biographical notes in this specific edition.

Key Themes

scientific ambition isolation and rejection moral responsibility

Literary Context

Published in 1818, Frankenstein sits at the intersection of science fiction and romance genres. It draws on the myth of Prometheus to explore themes of creation and hubris. The work reflects early nineteenth-century European intellectual currents regarding galvanism and natural philosophy.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Horace Walpole · Ann Radcliffe · J.G. Ballard · The Prometheus Myth

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2016 📖 240 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781329846371

📝 Description: Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, presents a young student who animates a soulless monster using corpses gathered from churchyards and dissecting rooms. The narrative explores the consequences of galvanism as the creator attempts to usurp God's prerogative. This work stands as an 1818 science fiction romance that examines the psychological toll of such ambition. The creature, constructed from these grim materials, longs for sympathy but faces rejection from every person it encounters. This isolation drives the being toward evil actions. The story details the dreadful retribution the student suffers because of his creation. Shelley qualifies herself as the author of this classic tale by weaving together elements of gothic horror and early scientific speculation. The book suits readers interested in the origins of monster mythology and ethical dilemmas regarding life and death. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted adventure or purely historical nonfiction. The text relies on the tension between scientific discovery and moral responsibility. Shelley draws on the tradition of the modern Prometheus myth to frame her narrative. The organization follows the student's journey from academic pursuit to tragic downfall. This edition offers a direct look at the source material without modern commentary. Readers will find the stark contrast between the creator's initial hope and the final devastation compelling. The prose remains focused on the immediate events of the creature's existence and the resulting conflict.

💎 Our verdict on Frankenstein

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Mary Shelley’s novel stands as a classic examination of ambition and its costs, weaving together gothic horror elements with early scientific speculation. The text effectively captures the creature's longing for sympathy and subsequent turn to vengeance through isolation. It suits readers who value psychological depth over fast-paced action, offering a stark contrast between discovery and moral responsibility. By framing the narrative around the modern Prometheus myth, Shelley creates a compelling study of the consequences of playing God. The chronological organization allows the tragedy to unfold naturally, making it a vital read for anyone exploring the roots of horror fiction and the enduring power of ethical inquiry in speculative narratives.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the origins of monster mythology and ethical dilemmas regarding life and death will find this text profoundly rewarding. It offers a direct look at the source material without modern commentary, appealing to those who appreciate detailed depictions of isolation and fear. The narrative explores the consequences of galvanism and the tragic retribution faced by the creator, making it essential for fans of gothic literature. While fast-paced action seekers might find the psychological depth slow, those drawn to the tension between scientific discovery and moral responsibility will gain significant insight into early nineteenth-century intellectual currents.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Mary Shelley’s novel stands as a classic examination of ambition and its costs, weaving together gothic horror elements with early scientific speculation. The text effectively captures the creature's longing for sympathy and subsequent turn to vengeance through isolation. It suits readers who value psychological depth over fast-paced action, offering a stark contrast between discovery and moral responsibility. By framing the narrative around the modern Prometheus myth, Shelley creates a compelling study of the consequences of playing God. The chronological organization allows the tragedy to unfold naturally, making it a vital read for anyone exploring the roots of horror fiction and the enduring power of ethical inquiry in speculative narratives.