Frankenstein

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1818)

The most downloaded book on Project Gutenberg and one of the most influential novels ever written. Mary Shelley conceived this masterpiece at age 18 during the famous ghost story contest at the Villa Diodati on Lake Geneva in the summer of 1816, alongside Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Historical Significance:
Frankenstein is widely considered the first true science fiction novel, predating the genre by decades. It was born from the "Year Without a Summer" (1816), when the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia caused global climate disruption, trapping Shelley's literary circle indoors with nothing to do but tell ghost stories.

The novel explores themes that remain urgently relevant: the ethics of scientific creation, the responsibility of creators to their creations, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the nature of humanity itself. Victor Frankenstein's unnamed creature — often mistakenly called "Frankenstein" — is one of literature's most tragic figures, rejected by his creator and society alike.

The 1818 first edition was published anonymously; many assumed Percy Shelley had written it. The 1831 revised edition, with Mary Shelley's name, is the version most commonly read today. This edition preserves the original 1818 text.

Cultural Impact:
The novel has been adapted into over 100 films, countless stage productions, and has become a cornerstone of Gothic literature. The word "Frankenstein" has entered everyday language as a metaphor for any creation that turns against its creator. It remains required reading in universities worldwide and consistently ranks among the top 10 most-read classic novels.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1818. Free to read and share.