Subject
Monsters -- Fiction Books
Best books
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus
"Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a Gothic novel published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a living creature from assembled body parts in an unorthodox experiment. When the creature awakens, Victor flees in horror, abandoning his creation. The conscious being must navigate a world that fears him, learning language and seeking connection, only to face repeated rejection. Embittered and alone, the creature confronts his creator with a desperate request that will set both on a dark path of vengeance and tragedy.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus
"Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a Gothic novel written in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a living creature from assembled body parts in an unorthodox experiment. When the creature awakens, Victor flees in horror, setting in motion a tragic tale of creation, abandonment, and revenge. This pioneering work has become one of English literature's most influential stories, spawning an entire genre of horror and forever changing popular culture.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus
"Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a Gothic novel published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature from different body parts in an unorthodox experiment. When the creature awakens, Victor flees in horror, setting in motion a tragic chain of events. The creature, initially innocent, learns language and seeks acceptance but faces only rejection. Embittered by humanity's cruelty, he demands his creator take responsibility, leading to devastating consequences that reach from Geneva to the Arctic.
Unknown
The Story of Beowulf, Translated from Anglo-Saxon into Modern English Prose
"The Story of Beowulf, Translated from Anglo-Saxon into Modern English Prose" by Ernest J. B. Kirtlan is an epic poem translated into prose form, likely written in the early medieval period, around the time of the Anglo-Saxon culture. The work narrates the legendary deeds of Beowulf, a hero from the Geatish clan who travels to Denmark to aid King Hrothgar in combating the monster Grendel, delving into themes of heroism, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil. At the start of the narrative, the poem introduces the legendary history of the Spear-Danes, detailing the glory of their kings, particularly Scyld, who rises from humble beginnings to become a mighty ruler. After Scyld’s passing, the lineage of Danish kings is explored, culminating in Hrothgar, who builds a grand mead-hall called Heorot. However, their joy is dampened by the terror of Grendel, a monstrous creature who preys on Hrothgar’s warriors. This struggle of man against monster sets the stage for Beowulf’s impending quest as he hears of Grendel's reign of terror and decides to cross the sea with a band of warriors, ready to confront the beast and restore peace to the Danes.
Richard Marsh
The Beetle: A Mystery
"The Beetle: A Mystery" by Richard Marsh is a Gothic horror novel published in 1897. A shape-shifting ancient Egyptian entity arrives in London seeking vengeance against a British politician, Paul Lessingham. Through mesmerism and terror, the creature manipulates innocent victims to further its dark purpose. Told through four different narrators, the story weaves together mystery, supernatural horror, and psychological control as the Beetle pursues its prey through Victorian London, threatening everyone connected to its target.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein, ou le Prométhée moderne Volume 1 (of 3)
"Frankenstein, ou le Prométhée moderne Volume 1 (of 3)" by Mary Shelley is a novel published in 1818. A young Swiss scientist creates a living being assembled from dead body parts, then abandons his hideous creation in horror. The intelligent creature, rejected and persecuted, seeks revenge against his maker and society. Told through nested narratives within an Arctic exploration frame, this pioneering work of gothic fiction and early science-fiction explores themes of creation, abandonment, and vengeance through the intertwined stories of creator and creation.
H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft
The haunter of the dark
"The Haunter of the Dark" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror short story written in November 1935 and published in December 1936. When young writer Robert Blake becomes obsessed with an abandoned church in Providence, his investigation uncovers a sinister cult and an ancient artifact with terrifying powers. Inside the church tower, Blake discovers a mysterious stone object that can summon an otherworldly entity—one that can only move in darkness. His curiosity unleashes something that should have remained hidden forever.
Richard Marsh
The Joss: A Reversion
"The Joss: A Reversion" by Richard Marsh is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Mary Blyth, who finds herself in a pinch directly after a frustrating day at work, leading her to an unexpected entanglement with a mysterious stranger and a curious series of events. As she grapples with her difficult circumstances, including her less-than-ideal job in a drapery shop and her troubled friendships, an unexpected inheritance from her late uncle Benjamin Batters sets the stage for intrigue and potential danger, opening the door to a life shrouded in mystery. The opening of the novel introduces Mary Blyth as a relatable young woman experiencing a succession of unfortunate events, setting a tone of frustration and vulnerability. After a long day working under the scrutiny of her boss, Mr. Broadley, and missing out on several sales, she heads out into the chilling streets with her friends Emily and Tom, only to be confronted by a strange man named Isaac Rudd, who pays their dinner bill and makes curious offers. Mary’s day devolves further into chaos as she and her friends navigate a series of threatening encounters, foreshadowing the darker elements tied to her uncle’s enigmatic legacy. Ultimately, when Mary learns of her inheritance, which comes with mysterious conditions involving isolation and a new home, she is faced with an unexpected twist that is sure to enchant readers with a blend of romance and suspense.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein, ou le Prométhée moderne Volume 3 (of 3)
"Frankenstein, ou le Prométhée moderne Volume 3 (of 3)" by Mary Shelley is a novel published in 1818. A young Swiss scientist creates a living being from dead body parts, only to abandon his hideous creation in horror. The intelligent creature, rejected and persecuted, seeks revenge against his creator and society. Told through nested narratives within an Arctic exploration, the story weaves together Frankenstein's account and the monster's own tale of survival and suffering, creating a Gothic masterpiece that explores both terror and profound philosophical questions.
Leigh Brackett
Out of the sea
"Out of the Sea" by Leigh Brackett is a science fiction novel written in the early 1940s. This gripping tale revolves around strange sea creatures that rise from the ocean, wreaking havoc on the coast of California amidst wartime tension. The story follows Webb Fallon, a down-on-his-luck reporter, who finds himself at the center of chaos as he grapples with both the monstrous invasion and a developing bond with a woman he saves. The narrative begins with Webb Fallon in a post-quake Los Angeles where he faces personal crises, only to be thrust into a battle for survival when monstrous sea creatures begin emerging from the ocean, initially attacked people on the beach. As he meets Joan Daniels, they seek refuge together amid the chaos, ultimately embarking on a mission to discover the cause of this bizarre phenomenon. As the story unfolds, they learn that these creatures are part of a greater plot by Japan to unleash a new kind of warfare via biological manipulation. With an underlying message about human resilience, the novel explores themes of evolution, morality, and sacrifice through its compelling characters and thrilling situations.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein, ou le Prométhée moderne Volume 2 (of 3)
"Frankenstein, ou le Prométhée moderne Volume 2 (of 3)" by Mary Shelley is a novel published in 1818. A young Swiss scientist creates a living being from dead flesh, only to abandon his creation in horror. The intelligent creature, rejected and persecuted, seeks revenge against his creator and society. Told through nested narratives within an Arctic expedition frame, the story explores the consequences of ambition and abandonment. This Gothic tale blends horror with philosophy, becoming a precursor to science fiction and a lasting cultural archetype.
Berkeley Livingston
Death of a B.E.M.
"Death of a B.E.M." by Berkeley Livingston is a satirical science fiction story written in the late 1940s. The narrative explores the humorous interactions between human creators—an artist and a writer—and the fictional bug-eyed monsters (B.E.M.s) they are forced to depict in their works. The topic revolves around the imagination of the writers and how it shapes the portrayal of creatures in science fiction while also highlighting the absurdity of the glorified monster trope. The story essentially unfolds in two realms: the mundane world of the writer and artist struggling to create engaging content and the chaotic planet XYZ268PDQ, home to the B.E.M.s. The chief B.E.M., Hiah-Leugh, and his companions discuss their frustrations with being relegated to the role of stereotypical monsters in fiction. In an ironic twist, these monsters decide to capture human artists to finally portray them authentically, leading to a comical series of events where the humans experience a mock torture party. Ultimately, the narrative satirizes the clichés of the genre while cleverly questioning the reader's perception of monsters, revealing that they are merely the product of human imagination. As the story concludes, the writer's epiphany inspires him to create more nuanced and multi-dimensional characters in his future works.
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