Written when Shelley was just 18, Frankenstein remains one of the most influential novels ever written — blending gothic horror, science fiction, and philosophy. Victor Frankenstein’s desperate quest to unlock the secret of life unleashes a being both monstrous and tragic, forcing readers to question what it truly means to be human.Written when Shelley was just 18, Frankenstein remains one of the most influential novels ever written — blending gothic horror, science fiction, and philosophy. Victor Frankenstein’s desperate quest to unlock the secret of life unleashes a being both monstrous and tragic, forcing readers to question what it truly means to be human.