Frankenstein - or, The Modern Prometheus - is considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction. Written by Mary Shelley, it tells the story of scientist Victor Frankenstein and the catastrophic consequences of his attempts to create a perfect new being by activating a group of body parts with an electrical charge. The hideous monster that is born of Frankenstein's experiment wreaks havoc when it realises that it will never know the happiness that mere mortals can enjoy. Today, Frankenstein continues to captivate readers worldwide through its enduring themes of ambition, alienation and human nature.