Frankenstein

If you like tragedies, books that explore philosophical questions, or descriptive prose, this might be for you.

If you want to read a monster/horror story involving a mad scientist screaming “It's aliiiive!” then you'll probably be bored by this story.

Frankenstein is told through the frame of Captain Robert Walton's letters home to his sister. He relates his encounter with Frankenstein and the story of Frankenstein's past through these letters.

The prose is fairly descriptive, and if you read the original text, a little archaic. There's a bunch of phrases along the lines of: “I quitted the place,” said he. This can take a bit of getting used to but the writing flows smoothly after a while.

Once again, this is not a fast-paced or plot-heavy story.

A young Victor Frankenstein is fascinated by scientific texts, especially those involving chemistry and alchemy. Throughout his studies, he eventually learns the secret of creating life. He considers testing this knowledge on small creatures, like insects or worms, but his ambition and ego cause him to immediately attempt to give life something human.

When he succeeds, he is horrified by what he creates and abandons the creature. Unable to join society due to its hideous looks, the creature vows vengeance against its creator.

What follows is a story that's almost 100% different than most people's idea of Frankenstein. There's no lightning, no mad scientist (arguably), and no angry mob with torches. Instead, the plot is more introspective and examines the morality of Frankenstein's actions.

The story takes place mostly in Europe, sometime during the 18th century. We get to see a little of the arctic, a little of a university, and a little of the European countryside.

Frankenstein takes place in a world pretty much identical to our own, with the exception being that reanimation of the dead is possible. In a sense, you could consider this more soft sci fi than fantasy.