Frankenstein
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, published by Random House Publishing Group on November 4, 1997, is a significant work in the realm of Gothic literature and a precursor to modern science fiction. The novel originated from a conversation in 1816 among Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron, which inspired her to explore themes of creation and responsibility through the story of a student who animates a creature using machinery. This narrative delves into the consequences of ambition and the societal rejection faced by the creature, raising profound questions about morality and humanity.
Readers will encounter a rich tapestry of horror intertwined with elements of mythology and folklore, as the novel examines the monster’s tragic existence and Dr. Frankenstein’s moral failings. Shelley’s exploration of these themes invites reflection on the nature of creation and the responsibilities that accompany it. With its enduring relevance, Frankenstein continues to engage readers with its chilling inquiries into the human condition, making it a pivotal text in both literature and genre fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
Frankenstein is a masterpiece of nineteenth-century Gothicism and the prototype of the twentieth-century science fiction novel. The novel was conceived in 1816, after Mary Shelley’s late-night conversation with Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron about bringing corpses to life and her subsequent nightmare about a student who built a human being and “woke him up” with machinery. The monster’s culpability for various horrific acts and his powerlessness in the face of ostracism from society, combined with Dr. Frankenstein’s lies and abdication of responsibility, raised chilling questions that made the novel both an instant bestseller and a timeless classic.
Alan Cheuse is a novelist, essayist, short-story writer, and literary critic. His most recent short-story collection is The Tennessee Waltz, and he is the author of the memoir Fall out of Heaven. He is the producer and host of the Syndicated Fiction/National Public Radio short-story magazine of the air The Sound of Writing, and he serves as book commentator for NPR’s evening newsmagazine All Things Considered. He is a member of the writing faculty at George Mason University.
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