Frankenstein (Annotated): The Modern Prometheus

Frankenstein is the classic gothic horror novel which has thrilled and engrossed readers/listeners for two centuries. Written by Mary Shelley, it is a story which she intended would ‘curdle the blood and quicken the beatings of the heart.’ The tale is a superb blend of science fiction, mystery and thriller.

Victor Frankenstein, driven by the mad dream of creating his own creature, experiments with alchemy and science to build a monster stitched together from dead remains. Once the creature becomes a living breathing articulate entity, it turns on its maker and the novel darkens into tragedy. The listener is very quickly swept along by the force of the elegant prose, the grotesque, surreal imagery, and the multi-layered themes in the novel.

Although first published in 1818, Shelley’s masterpiece still maintains a strong grip on the imagination and has been the inspiration for numerous horror movies, television and stage adaptations.

Public Domain (P)2026 Blue Nose Publishing

Joe Arden really said “watch this.”

The narration completely elevates this story. What’s already a powerful classic becomes something more immersive, more intense, and honestly harder to step away from.

The tone, delivery, and pacing bring out the obsession and emotional weight in a way that makes the story feel immediate. This isn’t just listening to Frankenstein, it’s experiencing it.