Book Review

Book Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is far more than a Gothic horror tale—it is a profound philosophical warning about human ambition and moral neglect. Written in 1818, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who creates a living being from dead matter, only to abandon his creature in disgust. The true horror lies not in the monster's appearance, but in Victor's refusal to take responsibility. The creature begins as a gentle, intelligent being who longs for love and acceptance. Rejected by his creator and by society, he turns to vengeance—and the tragic deaths that follow are directly traceable to Victor's irresponsibility. Shelley raises timeless questions: What does it mean to create? What obligations do we have toward our creations? How does isolation breed destruction? The novel also explores the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition—a theme that feels startlingly relevant in our age of artificial intelligence and genetic engineering. What makes Frankenstein unforgettable is its empathy. We pity both Victor and his creature, each a prisoner of his own choices. Shelley's prose is rich, her moral vision sharp. This is not just a story about a monster; it is a story about what we become when we refuse to see the humanity in others. A masterpiece of Romantic literature, Frankenstein endures because it forces us to look inward—and ask who the real monster is.