A Letter to Lord Ellenborough - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Advantages: Timeless story, sweeping visualisation
Disadvantages: Old vernacular

...with the inevitable notion of comparing it to Stoker's Dracula. I have to say that the two books are very different albeit both lit a flame in a literary sense that still burns brightly today. With Frankenstein being so well known it's worth giving a brief introduction to its writer - Mary Shelley. Born in 1797, the daughter of William Godwin & Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary went on to become one of the world's most renowned writers. Her parents were both radical writers of their day providing something of an influence to the talented Mary. She met the then unknown, Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1814 with whom she eloped to the continent In 1816, residing on the shores of Lake Geneva, Percy suggested a ghost story competition inspiring Mary to start her original work. Subsequently finished in England, the book was initially met with mixed reviews on its... Read review

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Advantages: Good classic literature, not too long, still relevant
Disadvantages: Not the easiest read

...Frankenstein, although not as popular as Dracula, is a horror classic. It was created by Mary Shelley when she, her husband (Percy Bysshe Shelley, the poet) and a friend (Lord Byron) were exchanging ghost stories and later developed in to a complete book. The beginning (and end) takes the form of letters written from a sailor, Robert Walton, to his sister, Margaret Saville. On his travels he picks up the scientist Victor Frankenstein, and in the main part of the book he recounts Victor’s tale (if you don’t want to know some plot, skip the bit between the stars) ************************************************** Frankenstein (who is the man, not the monster) was brought up in Geneva and went to university in Ingolstadt. Fascinated with science, he learned quickly and soon realised he could create life. He’s so enthusiastic... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing Plot, Well written, Makes you think!
Disadvantages: Marred by dodgy film versions

...The Author Mary Shelley, born Mary Wollstonecraft in 1797, was brought up by her father but ran away to France at the age of 16 with the poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, whom she later married. It was whilst staying in Switzerland with Shelley and his friend Lord Byron that she began her most famous work; Frankenstein. It began life as her 'entry' in a ghost story contest instigated by Byron and is said to have been inspired by a dream. The Plot (WARNING: Plot spoilers!!) Frankenstein is a young man studying Natural Philosophy at Geneva. His research leads him to create a being from body parts, that resembles a human. Through much experimentation Frankenstein succeeds in bringing his creation to life. It has tremendous strength and inspires terror in all who encounter it, including Frankenstein who flees. However the creature... Read review

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