Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)

Name: Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley

Frankenstein is a novel by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a grotesque, sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Victor is driven by ambition and a desire to create life, and his experiment succeeds. However, the creature he creates is rejected by society and Victor, and is forced to live a life of loneliness and despair. The creature eventually seeks revenge on Victor, leading to a tragic end for both of them. The novel explores themes of ambition, loneliness, and the consequences of playing God. It is considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction, and has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and other media.

By Mary Shelley · First published 1818 · Genre: Gothic fiction, Romanticism, Science fiction · 27 chapters · 71,240 words

First lines

-"To Mrs." SAVILLE, "England". St. Petersburgh, Dec. 11th, 17--.

You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday; and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare, and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking.

What this Textopian page supports

Frankenstein is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Shelley, dated 1818 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Mary Shelley
Date: 1818 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic fiction, Romanticism, Science fiction, Horror, Mystery
Length: 71,240 words
Structure: 27 chapters, 725 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Gothic fiction — Frankenstein is widely considered to be the first Gothic novel, with its themes of horror, death, and the supernatural.
Romanticism — The novel is heavily influenced by the Romantic movement, with its focus on the sublime, the power of nature, and the exploration of the unknown.
Science fiction — Frankenstein is often considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction, with its exploration of the possibilities of science and technology.
Horror — The novel contains many elements of horror, such as the monster's grotesque appearance and its violent actions.