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The Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

AI-generated oil painting of a stormy sea in dark tones of black, white, and yellow. A ship battles the waves on the left, while Frankenstein’s monster, towering over the waters, gazes into the depths on the right.
In

A depressing tale of curiosity, ambition, and foolish dreams, shattering under the weight of fear, consequences, and responsibility.

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is Mary Shelley’s ground-breaking Gothic novel, first published in 1818. It delves deep into the human soul, examining it with the magnifying glass of Romanticism.

This epistolary novel unfolds through a frame narrative, as Captain Walton writes letters to his sister, Margaret. These letters intertwine with the tragic life of Victor Frankenstein and the tormented existence of his Creation.

Book cover of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 2004 edition. Depicts a man in black climbing a mountain, with a blue-violet color scheme.
The Frankenstein by Mary Shelly 2004 Pocket Books

Mary Shelley’s life was far from all sweetness and light (as explored in a previous post). Her struggles and imagination gave rise to a literary masterpiece that continues to mesmerise readers more than 170 years after her death. For those acquainted with her life story, certain passages resonate with her personal experiences—her travels, her solace found in nature, and her reflections on human frailty. The novel also bears traces of influence from works such as John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther.

The slow-burning narrative resembles a vast sea, rich with depths: from invincible willpower and fleeting moments of joy to overwhelming despair. Shelley’s prose shifts between high Romantic ideals and moments of archaic poetic grandeur, yet the characters are far from hollow. Even Frankenstein’s creature, though monstrous in form, is driven by genuine emotions, acting upon them with poignant intensity.

“You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend. I have no one near me, gentle yet courageous, possessed of a cultivated as well as of a capacious mind, whose tastes are like my own, to approve or amend my plans.”—The Frankenstein

While the story predominantly focuses on male characters—a hallmark of its era—Mary Shelley’s influence breathes life into them. It is her strength as a female writer that shapes and animates these figures with such complexity.

In conclusion, Frankenstein is far more than a Gothic horror tale about an artificial superhuman and his flawed creator meeting their tragic ends. It is a profound meditation on loss and loneliness—universal struggles for those who are different, whether by appearance, talent, or ambition. It also reveals the precarious journey of chasing one’s dreams, illustrating how fear, more than any external force, can undo even the most diligent efforts. Victor’s downfall mirrors Captain Walton’s introspection as he pursues his dream of reaching the North Pole.

Book cover of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 1886 edition. Features an angel with a trumpet in bold yellow and red tones.
The Frankenstein by Mary Shelly 1886 Routledge's World Library

I first heard of Frankenstein during my boyhood but only had the chance to read it last year, when I found the original 1818 English version available for free on Amazon. As someone raised on the classics, drawn to books with rich vocabulary, vivid descriptions, and psychological depth, I was utterly captivated by this novel. It felt as satisfying as savouring a cup of aged wine.

I do not consider Frankenstein a prime example of science fiction, although I understand how readers of its time would have viewed it as such. To me, it is more a work of literary fiction and psychological exploration than a traditional adventure or mystery novel. While its ending may be predictable, the focus lies in its philosophical underpinnings rather than in surprising twists. I will certainly add a printed edition to my library as soon as I can, for this masterpiece deserves a place on my shelf.

Are you familiar with Frankenstein? Did you find it as engrossing as I did, or did it fail to hold your interest? What do you primarily seek in books?

Thank you for reading, and I hope you will return for more literary journeys.

Yours Truly,

Nathaniel Wonderful

Illumine the world

Author

nathanielwonderful@gmail.com

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