Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (Penguin Classics) Book

I had never fancied reading this book - too many scary memories from being allowed to watch hammer horror films at an impressionable age. However, Mary Shelley's masterpiece appears in just about every list of books that change the way you think, so I began it last week and couldn't put it down. It is nothing at all like I remembered the films. Set in northern Italy and Bavaria in the early nineteenth century, Victor Frankenstein, having an unorthodox formative education, and fantastically liberal minded parents, goes to University in Ingolstadt from where he begins his quest to create a living person. His venture takes several years of painstaking work and the moment he is finished, Victor is horrified by the results and goes into a psychological breakdown as he is consumed by the horror of the work of his hands. The consequences have a continued influence on him as he feels the responsibility of his creation on those he loves. He is unable to unburden himself by sharing his burden because he does not wish to create terrors for his loved ones. The Frankenstein monster initially seeks to learn and from a bunker in the cottage garden of a French exiled family he learns language and customs. Eventually he dares to seek the company of the father of the family, who is blind, and he hopes not to be affected by his grotesqueness and this initially appears to work until his son arrives and attacks him. The monster seeks out his creator and by murdering his small brother and ensuring the blame is apportioned to another member of the family and then seeks to make a bargain that Frankenstein create a female companion for him. Frankenstein wrestles with his conscience, unhappy to create another potential source of evil, and yet aware that I so doing he could save his loving family members from the monster's threats. Everyone should read this book because it is a tale of unfettered ego and unforeseen consequences. Victor is so consumed by his quest to achieve his goal, he completely fails to appreciate the impact his creation will have on himself, the creation, his family and friends and wider society. It is a must read for modern day creators of artificial intelligence. What is particularly brilliant, is Shelley's appreciation of Victors mental breakdown, and the impact of his power over his humanoid creation on the creature himself. Do we really want autonomous robots, who have feelings? I can see the benefits in many situations - but I'm not sure!Frankenstein is 200 years old this year and it is well worth reading the original text - buy the cheapest copy today by checking our price comparison service. Read More