Frankenstein Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley Paperback (213 pages) 197mm x 132mm

£16.95

Synopsis

The tale of Frankenstein deals with the conflict within Victor Frankenstein, who, due to his love of the natural sciences brings a monster to life one fateful day. His form is a hulking mass of dead body parts, his appearance wild and ghoulish. This is a nightmarish creature, frightening and bizarre. He is capable of violent and merciless acts. And yet, the creature's deepest desire is all too human: to be loved.

Victor makes it his mission to destroy the monster who has been wreaking havoc in his life. The Monster asks the Doctor for a companion, but Frankenstein dashes his hopes for a mate. The creature goes on a murderous rampage, his pain propelling a passionate quest for vengeance. One after another, Dr. Frankenstein's family and friends are attacked and ruthlessly killed. More lives are endangered and the creature is at large, nowhere to be found. No one but the Doctor knows what a horrifying menace is lurking. No one but the Doctor knows what it really wants.

Characters to Personalise

Victor Frankenstein - The creator of the monster, Victor spends most of the novel trying to defeat the monster. Victor is the oldest son of Alphonse and Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein. He can be said to be an example, or role-model for Robert. Your chosen name will appear before the original, e.g. 'John Frankenstein'.

The Monster - The monster is created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. The monster is the worst kind of scientific experiment gone awry. He does acquire humane characteristics, even compassion for his "adopted" family, the De Lacey's, but he still murders for revenge.

Elizabeth Lavenza - Elizabeth Lavenza is the orphan child taken in by the Frankenstein family, who was lovingly raised with Victor; she later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. She is the source for information for Victor when he is away at the university. Her letters are important in the plot of the story. Your chosen names will appear before the original, e.g. 'Elizabeth Lavenza'

Justine Mortiz - Justine is the housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. She is well treated and is regarded not as household help, but with the esteem and affection accorded a family member. However she represents graceful suffering in the face of injustice, much like a martyr, when she is tried for the murder of William and executed.

Captain Robert Walton - The sea-captain and explorer who meets Victor and learns his story.

Henry Clerval - The son of a merchant and a dear friend of Victor's. He is often Victor's protector, and he becomes one of the victims of the "monster."

William Frankenstein - The younger brother of Victor. He falls prey to the "monster"

About The Author

Mary Shelley was born in London, but developed the story of Frankenstein while on a summer trip to Switzerland in 1816, She was traveling with her then married lover, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shortly after this trip, Percy Shelley's pregnant wife committed suicide. Mary and Percy later married, but Mary's life was marked by death and tragedy.

It is quite difficult to believe that a young girl of 18 years old would be the author of a book that would become the first monster film, creation film, bionic film, horror film, publicly banned film, and the first of many Frankenstein films. But we must give this young girl credit for her literary talent and active imagination. Mary Shelley is responsible for many fine literary works of art but none are as famous as Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus published in 1818.

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