Mary Shelley was eighteen years old when she began writing Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus . Published in 1818, it is considered the first true science fiction novel and one of the greatest horror stories ever written. The full text is 71,240 words across 27 chapters — and you can read every word of it for free.
Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist obsessed with the secret of life, assembles a creature from dead body parts and brings it to life. Horrified by what he has created, Victor abandons the creature, who then must navigate a world that rejects him at every turn.
The creature is not the mindless monster of Hollywood films. In Shelley's novel, he is articulate, sensitive, and desperate for companionship. When the world denies him any chance at connection, his anguish turns to rage — and he systematically destroys everything Victor loves.