What is Frankenstein's full title?

Mary Shelley's 1818 novel was published under the full title Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, referencing the Greek myth of Prometheus, who was punished for giving fire (a forbidden power) to humanity.

Is Frankenstein the scientist or the monster?

Frankenstein is Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who creates the being. The creature itself is never given a name in the novel.

What genre is Frankenstein?

Frankenstein is a Gothic novel and is widely considered one of the earliest works of science fiction, with strong elements of horror and Romanticism.

Frankenstein

Reader reviews of Frankenstein

Emmanuel Izilov · 2026-11-09T00:21:55.000000Z

A cautionary tale with timeless lessons Before diving into Isaac Asimov's Robot series, I decided to suspend my prior judgement of Frankenstein and give it a read. I'm glad I did! Like many, I thought I already knew what it was all about due to all the adaptations. To me, none compared to the source. The book can be read on many levels. Both individual and societal lessons can be extracted. I enjoyed the multi-layered narrative and story within a story. Living in the 21st century, Frankenstein's creation becomes less of a fiction and more and more a reality within reach. Are we giving enough thought to our own artificially intelligent creations? From AI to genetic engineering and even apps, Frankenstein will give the modern reader pause. We can learn from Victor's mistake so that our own scientific and technological creations and inventions don't backfire and produce unintended consequences. In this respect, the story is still relevant today, two centuries later – perhaps even more so. You are my creator, but I am your master;—obey! On a personal level, there are many takeaways. The book reflects on the human condition and psyche. Leaves one in wonder that Mary Shelley was only 19 when she penned it! I do wish that Shelley spent less time and ink on Victor bemoaning his wretchedness and recurring internal dialogue and more dialogue with his friend, Clerval, for instance, on his motivation to create a living being. Perhaps it's rectified in the 1831 edition, which I haven't yet read. All in all, I consider it a must-read, especially for scientists and technologists.

Classics Gothic

Pages: 242
Published: 1818
Language: English

Synopsis

Obsessed with the secret of life, the brilliant young scientist Victor Frankenstein assembles a creature from dead matter and shocks it into being. But the moment his creation opens its eyes, Victor is seized with horror at what he has made and flees, abandoning the being to fend for itself in a world that recoils from its appearance.

Rejected by everyone it encounters, the creature teaches itself to speak, read, and feel — and, denied any companionship or compassion, turns from wonder to rage. It seeks out its maker with a terrible demand, and when Victor refuses, a cycle of grief and revenge is set loose that will destroy everything Victor loves.

Framed as letters from an Arctic explorer, Mary Shelley's 1818 masterpiece is at once a Gothic horror story and a profound meditation on ambition, responsibility, and what it means to be human. Written when she was just eighteen, it helped invent modern science fiction.

42 reviews