Published: 1818
I had always wanted to read this classic of Gothic horror. I was given the opportunity to do so when I downloaded it for free on my Kindle and read nearly the whole book during an airline flight.
Similar to other horror and science fiction works from the 19th and early 20th centuries, the narrative of Frankenstein unfolds as if the reader is being told a story by the main characters, Victor Frankenstein and his monster. I believe that most modern readers will find the text very accessible; the narrative is easy to follow and there are only a few characters. Vocabulary and grammar are not so archaic as to confuse.
The plot of this story should be familiar to almost everyone: young Victor Frankenstein gives life to a monstrous creature whom he abandons. The monster then torments his creator, asking for a companion like himself. However, it is the telling of the story that is important, and since she created this story, Shelly tells it better than anyone else. While this tale may not frighten you, it will challenge you to ponder a variety of ethical issues that confront both Victor and his monster.
If you enjoy thinking deeply about ethical issues, then there is something in this book for you. The narrative does unfold slowly, so you must be patient to appreciate this work. It is not scary in the traditional sense, but it does raise questions that may leave you feeling uneasy; this is psychological horror at its finest.
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