88 pages 2 hours read

Mary Shelley

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1818

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Victor Frankenstein, a scientist from Geneva, creates a sentient creature during his studies in Ingolstadt. Horrified by his creation, he abandons it, leading the creature to seek revenge on Frankenstein and his loved ones due to isolation and mistreatment. Their ensuing conflict drives them into a relentless, tragic pursuit in the Arctic. The novel includes references to suicide, violent death, and gross physical deformity.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is widely praised for its innovative narrative and profound exploration of human ambition and ethical boundaries. Critics commend its complex characters and Gothic atmosphere. However, some find the pacing uneven and certain plot elements implausible, which detracts from the overall impact. The novel remains a landmark in literary history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus?

Readers who delight in Gothic fiction, existential themes, and exploring the consequences of unchecked ambition will enjoy Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Fans of Bram Stoker's Dracula or Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde will find similar atmospheres and moral introspections.

RecommendedReading Age

15+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

British Literature

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Themes

Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Identity: Gender

Natural World: Nurture v. Nature

Period

Romanticism / Romantic Period

Topics

Education