Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus

The concept and early episodes of the novel «Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus» (1818) originated as an improvisation on a given theme – the writing of scary stories, initiated by Lord Byron at the Swiss Villa Diodati in the summer of 1816, and the image of the monster created by the main character came to the author – the eighteen-year-old Englishwoman Mary Shelley – in a nightmarish vision. However, despite the young age of the budding writer and the almost chance circumstances of the book's creation, «Frankenstein» was destined to become an event in national and world literature. A classic of science fiction prose, a masterpiece of romantic gothic, an original philosophical novel, a source of iconic images in modern cultural mythology – this is far from a complete list of the commonplace definitions of this impressive literary debut. The tragic plot conceived by the author spawned numerous imitations, adaptations, and sequels – in artistic prose, drama, theater, and, of course, cinema. It is a terrifying and dark story about a brilliant scientist and his dreadful creation. Victor Frankenstein uncovered the secret of the origin of life and learned to revive lifeless matter. He dreamed of conquering death and created a monster from parts of corpses. However, the pursuit of glory and recognition led to horrifyingly tragic consequences...