Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is the gothic masterpiece that gave birth to science fiction and still captivates readers today. First published in 1818, it tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist obsessed with pushing the boundaries of life and death, who creates a creature as intelligent as it is tormented. Blending themes of science, ethics, solitude, and humanity, Shelley weaves a timeless tale about monsters — both the ones we make and the ones within us.