When Victor Frankenstein completes his research and successfully creates a living being, he realizes with horror the ugliness of it and flees. The creature at first seeks companionship with humanity, but after being rejected, turns again on his creator with an idea for revenge.
Frankenstein is told first as recollections of a North Pole explorer who rescues Victor from an iceberg while on a scientific expedition. It then becomes Frankenstein's tale of horror as he recounts the creation of the monster and the events that led him to the frozen north.
I've never seen the Frankenstein movies, but my vague understandings of them are totally different from the story. The novel is revolutionary-- think how huge the term Frankenstein is, how it is used to reference anytime in which the public perceive that scientists overstep their bounds.
Frankenstein is a moving, sympathetic story. Shelley spins the tale, painting a spell-binding, if horrific, portrait of humanity and the responsibility of those who pursue scientific discoveries.
I enjoyed reading it. I'd say it's a must-read. I'm disappointed that this one wasn't on my reading list in school, particularly with the advances that were made toward cloning during the time when I was in high school. It would have made for some really great discussion. (But no, we had to read Tess of the D'Urbervilles instead....)
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I have seen a Frankenstein movie or two but have never read Mary Shelley's original telling of the story. I have never really been given the sense of impact of scientific advancement on society you mention in your review from the movies. I think I am going to have to add this to my reading list. Thanks!
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