Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus

"Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus," written by Mary Shelley, tells the story of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a conscious creature through unconventional scientific experimentation. Written when Shelley was just 18, the novel is rooted in her travels through Europe and her interest in galvanism and occult ideas. Considered by some to be the first true science fiction story, it has profoundly influenced literature and popular culture, inspiring a vast array of horror stories, films, and plays.