The original title, Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, was published in 1818 and has since been published in over 13,000 editions. In 2018, Penguin published Frankenstein: The 1818 Text. The book is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon, or at your library and via the Libby App.

Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with death. As a scientist and alchemist, he aims to stop it and play God by creating life. He neglects his betrothed, friends, and himself, devoting all his energy to making his Creation. A creature assembled from parts scavenged from cemeteries and other unwanted places. Victor’s goal is to animate it, but when he succeeds, his dream quickly becomes a nightmare.

Shelley tells the sorrowful tale of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. The creature appears monstrous, yet Victor is the novel’s true monster, corrupted from within. The creature is innocent and childlike; Victor’s rejection shapes his negative emotions. Ultimately, Victor’s vanity is his undoing.

This masterpiece offers compelling storytelling that prompts readers to think and empathize with Victor and his Creation. Shelley captures the era’s anxieties, exploring insecurities about nature, God, science, and humanity’s place in the world. She reveals that both characters seek the same thing: a life free from responsibility, the freedom to live in the wilderness, and to find happiness. A stunning 4-star read.