Frankenstein – Mary Shelley

"Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful."

Obsessed with the secret of life, the brilliant young scientist Victor Frankenstein scours graveyards for raw materials to assemble a living being. When he succeeds in animating his creation, he is horrified by the result and flees, leaving the creature to wander the world alone. Rejected by humanity and desperate for connection, the creature turns to violence, setting in motion a tragic cycle of vengeance and destruction.

Mary Shelley's 1818 novel is often cited as the first true science fiction story. It is a haunting gothic romance that explores deep ethical questions about scientific responsibility, the nature of monstrosity, and the human need for acceptance. It challenges the Romantic ideal of the solitary genius, showing the devastating consequences of playing God.