Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus

The idea and the first episodes of the novel "Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus" (1818) originated as an improvisation on a given theme – the composition 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 – eighteen-year-old Englishwoman Mary Shelley – in a nightmare. However, despite the young age of the novice writer and the almost random 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 series of common definitions of this impressive literary debut. The tragic plot devised by the author has spawned numerous imitations, adaptations, and sequels – in literary prose, drama, theater, and, of course, cinema. It is a terrifying and dark story about a brilliant scientist and his horrible creation. Victor Frankenstein uncovered the secret of life’s origin and learned to animate lifeless matter. He dreamed of conquering death and created a monster from parts of corpses. However, the pursuit of fame and recognition led to horrifyingly tragic consequences...