Mary Shelley's 1818 novel presents the Faustian story of a man who aspires to create life out of death, with disastrous results. The novel is constructed as a series of first-person narratives, delivered by Captain Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and his Creature, which makes it perfect for a dramatic reading.
A precursor to gothic literature and science fiction genres, Frankenstein is a novel fuming with imagination as it depicts a well known horror story. Shelly’s gothic fiction is written in epistolary form as a means of correspondence between the failed writer Robert Walton and his sister, while he is away on a dangerous expedition in search of fame. Some major themes explored in the gothic classic are the fallibility of ambition and knowledge, revenge, prejudice, isolation, and the imperfections of society.
The novel begins with the introduction of Captain Robert Walton, who is on a ship bound for the North Pole in search of scientific progress and knowledge. During his voyage, he and his crew come across a man nearly frozen and in frail condition. Taking the man onboard and nurturing him back to health, Walton is finally acquainted with Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein sees the same ambition within Walton that he too possessed and which is the reason for his current troubled state. Hence he decides to recount his life and share the miserable events leading him to his present isolated circumstance. Walton listens and records Frankenstein’s account which begins with his childhood in his family home in Geneva. Even as a young child, Frankenstein was encouraged by his parents to seek out the truth about the world, and use science as his instrument. It is this passion for knowledge that prompts him to conduct experiments in order to recreate life from lifeless matter. However, the result is not the ideal being the scientist had initially expected, and instead produces an eight foot tall creature with yellow eyes and visible muscle tissue. Repulsed by his creation, Frankenstein tries to steer clear of the monster, but only ignites the monster’s anger as it goes into a revenge spree taunting his creator. A chilling tale of murderous mayhem follows which is guaranteed to give goose bumps.
Though many are familiar with Frankenstein through countless adaptations, most are unaware of the original depiction which can only be witnessed in the classic novel. Far from a simple horror story meant to scare and entertain, Frankenstein is a timeless classic which evokes vital questions about human nature and centers on important issues targeting human curiosity and the dangers of science.
Cast Robert Walton: Chuck Williamson Victor Frankenstein: Bob Neufeld Lieutenant: KerrieRae Clarke Caroline Frankenstein: Arielle Lipshaw Alphonse Frankenstein: Todd M. Krempe: Anthony M. Waldman: Martin Geeson Henry Clerval: Grace Garrett Elizabeth Lavenza/Master/Irishman: Elizabeth Klett Ernest Frankenstein: Ernst Pattynama Justine Moritz: Availle Officer: Ken Garrett The Creature: John Trevithick Felix: Tiffany Halla Colonna De Lacey: Steve W. Thompson Landlord: April Gonzales William Frankenstein: Miss Avarice Old Woman: Caprisha Page Mr. Kirwan: EMStach Magistrate: Max Korlinge
Название: Frankenstein Автор: Mary Shelley Издательство: LibriVox Эту книгу озвучил: LibriVox Volunteers Год выпуска: 2012 Жанр: Dramatic Readings, Horror & Supernatural Fiction Аудио кодек: mp3 Битрейт аудио: 128 kbps Продолжительность: 09:07:19 Качество: Отличное