When most people hear the name "Frankenstein" I would assume that they would probably conjure up thoughts of a “dark and stormy night” in a laboratory of a mad scientist who, with the help of his assistant “Igor”, would be able to tame the power of lightning to bring life to a formerly undead creature, who would then eventually go on to be chased by villagers carrying pitchforks and torches – right?
Well, although Hollywood has made that tale infamous, that is nowhere even close to the true story of Frankenstein which was written by Mary Shelley in the year 1818. The real story is very, very different.
The real story of Frankenstein is the story of a man who played God. Mary Shelley decided to call her novel “the Modern Prometheus” because Victor went against nature by creating a new kind of being – a monster. And like Prometheus was punished for creating the humans and giving them fire, Victor was punished for his acts against nature by losing the people who were dear to him.
Frankenstein is a classic. It is not a horror story about a zombie-like monster and an evil mad scientist like Hollywood has brainwashed us to believe, but it is a masterpiece which I highly recommend to anyone with a love for mystery and allusions.
I just re-read Frankenstein it is a truly remarkable book, a rich rewarding read. It is one of those books everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.
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