Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley, Benjamin Briggent (Translator)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a timeless masterpiece of Gothic literature and one of the earliest works of science fiction. The novel tells the chilling story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant young scientist who, in his obsession with unlocking the secrets of life, creates a living being from assembled body parts. Horrified by his own creation, Victor abandons it, unleashing a chain of tragedy, revenge, and moral reckoning.

The Creature, intelligent and sensitive yet shunned by society, struggles with loneliness, identity, and a desperate longing for acceptance, setting the stage for a profound meditation on ambition, responsibility, and the consequences of playing God. Shelley’s novel blends suspense, horror, and philosophical inquiry, exploring the limits of human knowledge and the ethical dilemmas of creation.

Rich in atmosphere and psychological depth, Frankenstein remains a haunting and thought-provoking story that continues to captivate readers with its exploration of the human condition, the power of imagination, and the enduring conflict between creator and creation.

Genres: Fiction, Classics

256 pages

First published January 1, 1818

About the author

See Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Reviews

[Blanca Massot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Víctor, mai em faran estimar-te

[Joan Roure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Independentment de si millors o pitjors, penso que totes les adaptacions cinematogràfiques que s'han fet d'aquesta gran obra de la literatura universal han fet bastant mal a la novel·la de Shelley. Per això, i tenint en compte que segurament és un dels clàssics que molta gent coneix més per l'audiovisual que pel mateix text, crec que cal llegir-lo i comprovar que, en la majoria dels casos, té poc veure amb les pel·lis que se n'han fet, o com a mínim que ens trobem amb diferències força significatives. Aprofito, doncs, ara que acaba de publicar-se, per recomanar la nova traducció de na Maria Antònia Oliver per l'editorial La Magrana, que a més inclou una introducció de l'autora i també el prefaci del 1817 que va escriure el seu marit Percy B. Shelley.

Estem parlant d'una obra de gran profunditat i amb personatges molt potents i ben construïts, on Shelley explora les conseqüències de desafiar els límits naturals i les responsabilitats morals associades amb la creació. Apareixen temes com la ciència, la moralitat, la solitud i l'aïllament i l'acceptació i la venjança. També a destacar la crítica a la societat per la seua facilitat a jutjar sense comprendre o sense tenir les eines necessàries per a fer-ho.
Una novel·la que continua envellint molt bé, de tall gòtic i filosòfic més que de terror, gènere al qual moltes vegades se l'ha volgut associar per sobre d'altres.

«Si no dels meus preceptes, apreneu almenys del meu exemple com és de perillosa l'adquisició de coneixements, i com és més feliç l'home que creu que el seu poble natal és el món que no aquell que aspira a esdevenir més gran del que la naturalesa vol permetre».

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

hilariously out of touch man ruins his own life, that of his family members', plus that of the creature he brought to life through vaguely scientific methods

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,2

[Tom Polite · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A haunting, thoughtful, and surprisingly modern read

I read Frankenstein for the first time expecting a classic gothic horror story, but what I found was something far richer and more unsettling. This is less a tale about a monster and more a meditation on responsibility, isolation, ambition, and what it means to be human.

What struck me most was how emotionally complex the novel is. The creature is not simply frightening—he is articulate, reflective, and deeply lonely. Shelley invites you to sympathize with him even as the consequences of Victor Frankenstein’s actions spiral out of control. That moral tension is what makes the story linger long after the final page.

The language can be dense at times, but it’s also beautiful and purposeful, and the framing of the narrative adds to the sense of inevitability and tragedy. For a book written over 200 years ago, it feels remarkably relevant—especially in how it questions unchecked ambition and the ethics of creation.

I loved this far more than I expected to. A classic that fully earns its reputation, and one I’ll definitely be thinking about for a long time.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy philosophical fiction, gothic literature, and stories that challenge easy definitions of “monster.”

[Axel Poirier · Rating 2 out of 5]

C’était vraiment décevant.
Ce qu’on a retenu du livre, son imagerie, ses scènes cultes, n’y sont pas. L’autrice ne met pas le focus sur ce qu’on en a tiré : la création de la créature, la description de ses crimes. Ces points d’orgues sont balayés rapidement, et à la place les lignes s’épanchent sur la lamentation interminable de Frankenstein, mais également de son monstre.
C’est un livre romantique, avec des personnages qui déclament des sentiments excessivement faux comme des poètes éperdus, qui contraste trop avec l’aspect horrifique et philosophique du thème. Le thème des dangers de la science et de la responsabilité du père sont peu traités.
Tout de même une belle mention au chapitre du point de vue du monstre qui vit avec la famille de paysan en les observant sans leur parler, c’est une belle histoire.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to say it, but the movie (James Whale original) is better than the book. I guess I am too entrenched in the iconography and mythology of the original films. The original novel is much different. The Monster is very talkative and erudite. He’s also much more like a serial killer. The original Freddy Krueger. The creation of the monster is barely mentioned and his physical appearance is very different from the iconic films. Still, she created an iconic story that will last the test of time. The Monster’s feelings of isolation and pain from being shunned by society simply for his physical appearance echoes through time.

[Wilza Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achei que Frankenstein fosse apenas uma história de terror e ciência,mas me mostrou algo muito mais profundo: um retrato cruel da solidão.

Victor Frankenstein, influenciado por alquimistas como Agrippa e Alberto Magno, desafia os limites da ciência e cria vida. Mas, ao rejeitar sua criatura, condena ambos à miséria. O monstro não nasceu mau—só queria ser amado. E foi essa busca desesperada por pertencimento que me destruiu.

No fim, o maior horror da história não é a criação de Frankenstein, mas a rejeição e a dor de existir sozinho.

[Just A Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una novela que nos enseña la responsabilidad que debe tener un creador hacia su creación, y cómo el rechazo social y la falta de amor pueden transformar a un ser inocente en un monstruo, enseñándonos que la verdadera plenitud reside en la virtud y la compasión, no en el poder desmedido y que la verdadera belleza reside dentro de la persona no en su aspecto. Un buen libro para iniciar el año aunque sea triste su final, supongo que es lo más realista acorde a la época y seguro hasta hoy en día terminaría de la misma forma.

[Alejandro Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

sigo sin poder creer que esto se haya escrito hace casi 200 años. la profundidad con la que Mary Shelley retrata a la vida, al amor, a la naturaleza, a la ira, a las emociones complejas del ser humano a través de las distintas percepciones de los personajes es increíble. lo hila de una forma tal que la lectura es conmovedora, trágica y atrapante. una de mis lecturas favoritas y sin duda el clásico de romanticismo gótico más importante de la historia.

[Estanislao Bollain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia mucho más excitante que el Frankenstein de la Universal.

Una historia épica y fundamentalmente romántica. Eso sí como en todo el romanticismo no puedo dejar de pensar que los protagonistas necesitan madurar un poco.

Pero sobretodo si los dos protagonistas hubieran ido a terapia no habría libro

[Saray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya no volveré a sentir la angustia que me consume, ni seré presa de sentimientos insatisfechos y, sin embargo, eternos. Quien me creó ha muerto; y cuando yo muera, el recuerdo de mí morirá para siempre. Ya no volveré a ver el sol, ni las estrellas, ni sentiré el viento en el rostro. La luz, los sentimientos, y la razón morirán. Y entonces hallaré mi felicidad.

[Karolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt inclined to return to book reading after watching GDT Frankenstein. Of course, the book is darker. And phenomenal. A wonderful, heartbreaking read that made me want to read more of similar genres.

[Julie Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So different than I had imagined

Hollywood has told us this story many times over. Here you gain the inter workings of the monster, his thoughts and goodly desires. Later his sadness and drives that push him forward to evil. Greatly enjoyed this book.

[Bailey Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Hit me very different than 9th grade

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book nothing like the 2025 movie, that being said the movie captures the essence

[Daniel Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was on the fence about this monster until he said he said he will seek the most northern extremity of the globe

[Makenna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

he didn’t want to give the female monster a uterus bc that would mean she could procreate