FRANKENSTIEN

by Mary Shelley

The Original Science Fiction Masterpiece by Mary Shelley

Step into the haunting world of Frankenstein, the groundbreaking novel by British author Mary Shelley that forever changed the landscape of horror and science fiction. First published in 1818, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus tells the chilling tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but obsessive scientist who dares to defy nature by creating life itself. His monstrous creation—larger, stronger, and more intelligent than any human—soon spirals out of control, leading to devastating consequences.

Often mistaken for the monster, Frankenstein is actually the name of the man behind the experiment. This gothic classic explores deep themes of ambition, isolation, and the dangers of unchecked scientific advancement, serving as a stark warning about mankind’s reach exceeding its grasp during the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

A masterful blend of Romanticism and early science fiction, Frankenstein is widely regarded as the first true sci-fi novel and remains a cornerstone of literature. Its influence can be seen in countless books, films, and adaptations, earning it a permanent place in popular culture.

Frankenstein book, Mary Shelley, horror classic, science fiction novel, gothic literature, monster story, timeless classic, Victor Frankenstein, original Frankenstein, literature masterpiece.

Genres: Classics, Horror, Fiction, Science Fiction, Book Club

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2025

About the author

See Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Reviews

[Mysha]

I didn't know the Frankenstein lore before this omg, he just needed a companion fr 😔

No star rating because I rate based on enjoyment and this isn't the type of book I would rate based on that...

[Bryher · Rating 3 out of 5]

victor was annoying

[Raedyn Middle Name Last Name · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, the formatting of my copy was the largest hurdle in reading it tbh. Victor was not my favorite character, and spending most of the book in his head space was rough; pair that with the writing being 200 years old it kept me wading through this book for over a month, which I did not appreciate. All that being said, I did find myself liking the chapters detailing the monster's existence and subsequent haunting of the remainder of Victor's life. Would i read it again? probably not lmao. But Ive highlighted a fair amount of lines in my copy for later discussion if a need arose.

[Melina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me way too long to finish this book but wanted to reread the this for the themes of hubris, science and nature. Frankenstein is just a bad dad and his monster isn’t a monster until he abandons him. I enjoyed the theme of human hubris and justice. Threw me back to my sixth form English class.

[Carla Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

What then makes us worthy of life? Is it bestowed willingly? Is it the act of creation - of which we are relieved or deprived of participation? A life given by someone also already possessing life - and in Victor’s case, someone devoid of life by way of mental torment and in a confluence of greed, pride, and power as life itself, creates that which reflects and exaggerates his mental torment further. In resistance of himself, he abandons his creature and responsibility to bestow life upon it.

Or rather is it interaction with that which has already been ascribed life? Such as the case of the cottagers - who in simple existence with each other provide a performance of humanity for the creature which supplements the abandon of the creator (who labored in solitude) and in their co-creation (collective laboring) of their own lives imbue life and the desire for love in the creature. This is much less an action and more an experience in which we are also devoid of choice - we merely participate and later apply meaning to such interaction. A retrospective life. Do we observe or participate - both breeding retrospection. In observation we are already cast aside and in participation begins a symbiosis or a rejection back to isolation.

And in the end, the abandon of others results in the abandon of ourselves: Victor losing all who he loves, reaps the consequence of (self) abandonment imprisoning himself in perpetual mental and physical torment attempting to escape the creature and later in endless search of the creature. And yet, the creature, in his determination to live as a product of abandonment finds himself bound forever to Victor’s escape or hunt. No attempt at abandon saves Victor from his attachment to the creature. As a reflection of himself, he is bound forever to the creature and bound to himself.

[David Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you buy me this book I’ll move it to the top of my list and read it first” I joked. She bought me the book. This is my first real classic I’ve read willingly and it was very enjoyable. It’s strange how inaccurate every depiction ever of this book has been that by the time you read the real thing it’s a completely new story to what you think. I don’t have many thoughts that haven’t been illustrated in much more profound ways many times but it is a very good read. If the monster looked like Jacob Elordi in the book would he have been shunned away. Society🚬

[Sophie Levy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was proof I got stupider because I lowk struggled with it even though I read it in college and remember enjoying…. But it was fine like I get why it’s a classic and I thought about the themes so there’s that

[Prakruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a classic that reads well and remains relevant even after a couple of hundred years have passed since it was first written 🤯

[Allie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching the new movie adaptation I was inspired to finally read the classic. I know I didn't go in the precived best order (movie first than book) but I loved this classic. I think everyone should ready it.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Så himla fin bok, bra att ha som en av ens första klassikers att läsa

[LUSH BOUNTY · Rating 3 out of 5]

whole book is Frankenstein moaning about his suffering - he's just like me

[Saint Star · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didnt love it, didnt hate it. Nice flowery prose and so very different from the movies

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written,sad story but too much endless harping on about Victor's mental torment...got that from day one when monster was created. Poor Elizabeth had a pathetic life too. Could have gotten through the story much quicker. It was insinuated the tale was written overnight at a ghost story weekend? 🤔

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

To think Shelly wrote this book for a competition 😭
And that too at the age of 18 😵
Frankenstein is not about a monster
It’s about creator who refuse accountability ….

The worst fate is not be hated
It is to be unclaimed …..

[Marlo Ferrante · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy yap

[Faiqa Syed · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes one monstrous? Who is truly the more terrifying creature? The being who appears ugly to the eye, yet is born innocent and capable of love, but after endless rejection, cruelty, and isolation by society is driven toward violence and murder? Or the one who is handsome, intelligent, educated, and admired, yet uses his brilliant mind to create life beyond human understanding, only to abandon it, name it a monster, and leave it to suffer alone? This question has endured for centuries since Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, first published in 1818. She created a timeless reflection on power, responsibility, loneliness, and the dangerous pride of human beings. The novel is not frightening because of blood or darkness, but because it reveals what humans can become when they attempt to control forces they neither fully understand nor respect.

Often regarded as one of the greatest works of Gothic literature, *Frankenstein* is, in my view, not a terrifying novel but a deeply tragic one. At its heart, it is a story of abandonment. It shows how loneliness can deform the soul more cruelly than any physical ugliness ever could.

This tragedy is most clearly seen through the character of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist deeply obsessed with natural philosophy and the mystery of life itself. He is ambitious, gifted, and entirely consumed by the desire to conquer death and restore life where it has been lost. Perhaps he aims to benefit mankind, or perhaps he seeks the power and authority of a god. Mary Shelley deliberately leaves this question unanswered. In pursuing his dangerous ambition, Victor neglects love, friendship, peace, and even his own humanity. He collects body parts from graves and other dark places, then uses science to assemble and animate a living being from the dead.

Yet Victor’s greatest failure is not the act of creation itself. The true tragedy begins when he regards his own achievement with horror and disgust. The moment he gives life, he also gives rejection. Rather than guiding his creation, educating it, or showing it compassion, he abandons it entirely. In that single act, Victor reveals a moral failure greater than any deformity of the being he calls a monster.

The creature, often assumed to be evil from birth, is in reality sensitive, intelligent, and deeply in need of love and acceptance. It learns language, observes kindness, and longs for companionship. Yet wherever it goes, it is judged solely by its appearance. Doors are closed to it, and hearts are closed as well. It is hated before it has committed any wrong. Gradually, suffering turns into anger, and anger into revenge. Shelley powerfully suggests that the very monster society fears is often the one society itself creates.

For this reason, the novel remains powerful even today. Every story about artificial intelligence, unchecked science, or creators losing control of their inventions owes something to Mary Shelley. She asked a question that modern society still struggles to answer: Just because humans can create something, does it mean they should?

What I admired most about the novel is that Shelley allows the creature to speak for itself. Through its voice, readers feel its suffering and understand its descent. Meanwhile, Victor often appears proud, selfish, and blind to his own guilt. He condemns the monster, yet refuses to see the monster within himself.

In the end, Frankenstein asks one of literature’s deepest questions: Is evil born, or is it made? The novel suggests that monstrosity is not found in the face, but in the failure to love, the refusal to take responsibility, and the arrogance of those who create suffering and then deny their part in it. That is why Frankenstein is not merely a horror novel. It is a mirror held before humanity, forcing readers to confront the darkness created not by monsters, but by mankind itself.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest and say that this book was just a little bit slow for me, but that's just my personal opinion. I will however say that I did enjoy it.

I was a little surprised because I was under the impression that there was going to be a very detailed scene about the construction and research and like creation of the Creature, maybe I'm missing something but once the Creature was created he was shunned very fast. and it just sort of caught me off guard, wasn't what I was expecting or imagining from the frankenstien book. I was just surprised because I thought once Victor created him he would...idk, do something more? But no he just was like ew what the frick and then didn't want anything to do with him anymore. I don't mean that in a negative sense but I was just surprised!

I think it was one of those books where reading it felt endless and I felt like I was trudging through mud at times...but then by the end of it I look back and I'm like...yeah no that was a really good book.

Good book, just not very enjoyable to read I'll say. Most parts of it anyway.

But I really enjoyed the whole concept and OMG do I feel bad for the Creature, genuinely I saw him as just a little babyyyy dude just wants love and to experience companionship and learn and LIVE but everyone hates him INCLUDING THE MAN WHO GAVE HIM LIFE IN THE FIRST PLACE !!!! That was all very very sad and I loved it a lot. And honestly I think the creature's motive was valid, his feelings were understandable and he was understandably angry and upset I felt so so so bad for him.

Also...am I the only one who saw a little something something going on with Victor and Henry? I hope I'm not the only one who thought they had a little thing for eachother.

But anyway, yes, final verdict was that I liked it after the fact but I didn't like reading it, it took me agesssssss but I did love the story, if that makes sense.

I do recommend if you're thinking about getting it, it's definitely thought provoking.

[Liliana Gama (Lilianaentrelibros) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧌 “¡Creador insensible y cruel! Me diste sentimientos y pasiones, y luego me arrojaste al mundo como objeto de horror y desprecio. Solo a ti puedo dirigir mis súplicas, y en ti he depositado toda esperanza de justicia, después de haberla buscado en vano entre los hombres.”⁣
⁣
🫣 Confieso que no había leído este clásico a pesar de lo famoso que es y de sus muchas ediciones, por tal motivo tenía otro concepto de quien era esta famosa criatura, así como de su personalidad y su apariencia, todo influenciado por las películas o dibujos donde se hacía referencia a él, después de leer este libro me doy cuenta de lo equivocada que estaba.⁣
⁣
🤓 Leer Frankenstein ha sido toda una experiencia para mí, reconozco que al principio la lectura me ha parecido un poco lenta y esto fue debido a la primera narración que era a modo de cartas de Robert Walton a su hermana. Ya una vez pasando esa parte todo cambio ya que tendremos como siguientes narradores a Víctor Frankenstein y a la “criatura”, esto hizo que para mí todo fuera más fluida e interesante.⁣
⁣
🥲 La historia en general siento que nos habla mucho acerca de la ambición como de sus consecuencias, también sobre la soledad, el egoísmo, el rechazo, la aceptación y del lado oscuro que puede tener el ser humano, esto para mi hizo que la historia fuera bastante trágica y estremecedora.⁣
⁣
🧌 Y después de leer por fin a estos protagonistas tan famosos puedo decir que mi personaje favorito ha sido la “Criatura” ya que el solo buscaba ser aceptado y querido, sin embargo, el rechazado hasta por su propio creador le causo un terrible dolor.⁣
⁣
🤔 Y es aquí cuando me pongo a reflexionar quien era el verdadero monstruo de esta historia, porque a mi parecer la criatura no lo era. ⁣

[Emilia Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the release of the new Frankenstien movie about a month ago and the mixed reactions I'd seen online, I figured that I should give this classic a try. I went into the story with high expectations, and they were definitely met. What originally seemed like a "monster story" turned out to be something far deeper, with much more emotion, philosophy, and development than I would typically see in a book with only around 300 pages. It was a fascinating read, that really provoked reflection and debates of nature vs nurture, and I found myself sympathizing with both Victor and the creature at times.
I think that one of the central themes, isolation really stuck with me. The loneliness that both Victor and the Creature experience fuels their poor and often times self destructive decisions throughout the novel. I also though that Shelley shifting narrators was a powerful choice that brought into question the role that perspective plays and how subjective truth is.
I personally really enjoyed this, and I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy a slower paced book with character depth and philosophy. However, if you are looking for a fast paced, action packed story, this may not be for you.

[Kasey Bamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

i didn’t know what to rate this as the actual story of Frankenstein is a really cool concept as it makes you think about different moral dilemmas. The biggest dilemma being does Victor owe the monster duty as his creator. I would personally argue you shouldn’t fuck around with things like life and death like some things we just can’t control and his attempt to control it is the reason his whole family is dead so yeah i maybe just wouldn’t do it in the first place cause i have common sense low key. Also this dumb fucks entire idea was to make it come alive but then he got grossed out when it started moving .WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU WANT IT TO DO LEVITATE ? This is the first classic i’ve read of my own free will and i think the over explaining and detail made me lose interest around half way in so maybe i wont reach out for others that i don’t already own . However i did like the old timey phrases that were used i thought they were cute . Also Victors dad has my whole heart i’m so happy he died of grief and wasn’t murdered . YOU COULD TECHNICALLY ARGUE HE WAS MURDERED BC THE MONSTER KILLED LIZ AND WILLIAM WHO DADDY WAS MOURNING BUT I DIGRESS .

[Maria Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tengo que admitir que este es un libro que, hasta cierta parte, me convenció, pero hubo un momento en el que realmente me hizo estancarme, sobre todo con respecto a los sentimientos de Víctor. Para ser el protagonista, me parece un personaje muy aburrido. Sentí su angustia, su preocupación y su culpa, pero también percibí su hipocresía con respecto a su creación.

Me sentí mucho más hechizada por la narración de la criatura que por la del propio protagonista. Víctor se presenta como un hombre de gran sensibilidad por la vida, pero, sinceramente, me parece alguien que a toda costa quiere eludir su responsabilidad, culpando de todo a su creación.

Sé que traté de sentir empatía por él, pero realmente no tuvo la apertura mental suficiente para afrontar sus propias culpas.

El libro es bueno; la pluma de la autora es hermosa. Incluso puedo percibir cierto masoquismo al describir las emociones… o quizás así eran las personas de la época. Personalmente, me siento más satisfecha con la versión de Guillermo del Toro.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect way to end my October reads… and I honestly can’t believe I waited until I was 40 to finally read this classic.

This story is so much more than a tale of horror…it’s a haunting reflection on loneliness, isolation, and the desperate lengths one will go to be understood. It makes you question who the real monster truly is: the creature who longs for love and acceptance, or the man who created him and abandoned him out of fear.

Things I loved:
-The writing….how it begins with letters and unfolds into Frankenstein’s confession, creating this layered, intimate storytelling style.
-The creature’s voice..his chapters were my favorite. His pain, longing, and search for belonging broke my heart.
-The themes of grief and madness..how loss and guilt can completely consume a person until they become unrecognizable.

Mary Shelley truly crafted a masterpiece that is both terrifying and tragically human.

[Laci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a huge classics person unless it’s classic horror tbh. And as someone who loves horror, why I haven’t read this until now idk. I have had it on my shelf for forever.

Victor and the Creature are so morally gray. You feel for them, but also get frustrated by their choices. It’s dark, emotional, and full of loneliness, obsession, and heartbreak. Victor’s obsession and fear make him as flawed as the Creature he abandons, and the Creature’s anger and revenge are heartbreaking but also understandable Shelley digs into what it means to be responsible for your actions, the pain of isolation, and the consequences of playing with forces beyond your control. Even after 200+ years, it still makes you think, feel, and question who’s really the “monster.”

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew going into this it might have a tough read, most older books like this can with the older English style of writing. It's very descriptive, which most of the time I adored but there was times it felt pretty dull. That's my only con.

But honestly I loved this so much. I loved that we got the point of view of both Victor and the monster, or the daemon as Victor calls him. It was beautifully tragic to see his innocent wonder at the beauty of the world and the lives of his cottagers be destroyed by the innate cruelty of man. Victor can fuck off really, he creates this creature then just bails on him and can't understand why he'd be upset. 

Anyway, I will forever be calling anyone I don't like a wretch.

[Stephan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankenstein really surprised me because it wasn’t what I expected at all. I thought it would just be a horror story, but it’s actually a lot deeper and focuses on responsibility, isolation, and the consequences of creating something you can’t control. I especially found the creature interesting because he’s not just a “monster” — he’s emotional, intelligent, and shaped by how people treat him. At the same time, I’ll be honest, some parts were hard to get through because of the older, formal language, and I found myself getting bored during certain sections. But overall, the message and themes made it worth it, especially when thinking about how it connects to modern issues like technology and ethics.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was required to read this book years ago in high school and not only did i not read it in its entirety, but i thought it was boring and difficult to understand. now that my frontal lobe has developed i picked this up again, and i couldn’t be more glad that i did! this book’s themes of grief and loneliness were woven beautifully throughout the story and made me feel deeply for the characters (especially the monster). the writing is beautiful and how the author describes nature in certain scenes made me feel like i was present in the book. i still can’t believe how much i enjoyed this book and i honestly don’t know how im gonna move on from this!!

[Rashika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relieved to be finished, yet I’d still recommend this Gothic classic.
The 200-year-old "aristocratic" English was my biggest hurdle. As someone who usually DNFs classics, this was a personal struggle rather than a flaw in the writing.
Despite being a sci-fi pioneer, it lacks technical details. Still, Shelley’s concept is impressive for its time.
The pace is excellent, and the Creature’s psychological development feels earned and justified.
It’s worth reading to understand the "Frankenstein" metaphor used today.

Verdict: A tedious read due to the "posh" English, but worth it for the plot and historical significance. Use an audiobook if you find the prose difficult!

[Ciaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

First half of this book wasn’t great for me I really disliked all of the characters and wasn’t super into to it and I got worried that I was small brained dummy. The second half of the book I saw Willy this is a classic the idea of nature vs nurture in if you are evil or bad. Classic playing god story. Also what happens to a being that is forced into solitude vs one who chooses solitude. Completly separate I think Frankenstein going into the dungeon would get some kind of necromancer subclass and would be ostracized like the monster is while the monster would get some kind of stealth barbarian class and would be an absolute threat in faction wars.

[Samantha suddarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: If you biggest struggle in life is not within yourself than this book probably is not for you.

The book Where all the darkest parts of me got to spend time in the light. Dauntingly beautiful. This book will never be casual to me. The amount this book has resonated with me will forever haunt me. The characters - mary Shelley - The history. It's easy to understand why this book is still around today. Hands down my favorite classic to date And firmly on my top ten Favorite books List

[Mickael Barbieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was completely different from anything I had in mind about Frankenstein (for instance, I’d never have guessed that the story takes place in Geneva and the Alps). Mary Shelley is a great author, for sure. The way she made me connect with the monster and feel its pain at being loathsome and alone was remarkable. After finishing it, I thought of the movie Nymphomaniac by Lars von Trier. In a way, the film relates to Frankenstein by depicting a horrifying story told by someone in a moribund state — though in this case, the monster and the creator are united in the same body.