Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a novel by Mary Shelley. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. The novel explores themes such as the consequences of unchecked ambition, the dangers of scientific knowledge and discovery, and the human desire for companionship and acceptance. It was first published anonymously in 1818 and has since become a classic of Gothic literature. The novel has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and other forms of media.