Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus

Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley

I recently re-read Frankenstein, for the first time since my college years. My science fiction club selected this Mary Shelley classic for one of our monthly book discussions. I'm glad I took the chance to read it again, because I enjoyed it a lot more now than when I was "forced" to read it as "a work of great literature." What started for Shelley as a challenge from other writers to write a "scary story" really evolved into an impressive exploration of what it means to be human -- the inherent frailty of mind, body and spirit, scientific hubris, and the ease with which our morality and ethics can be compromised. If you think you're familiar with this story merely from watching any of the various Frankenstein movies, you've been misled. Do yourself a favor -- prepare yourself for prose that can be overly florid, and dialogue that can be a bit stilted. But if you stick with it to the end, you'll find yourself impressed with what has arguably been described as the first true science fiction novel. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[This title is available in a wide variety of formats, and has also had numerous pastiches, parodies and follow-ups written to accompany it.]

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