#42 Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

I think I read this in jr high. Our library there was maybe 800 square feet. It was a small town. I think I was introduced to sci-fi and fantasy there. They had a lot of comic books. Seems odd now, but it was old classics illustrated. Comics that illustrated literaty books. Three musketeers, The Time Machine, 20,000 leagues under the sea, and others. I read them and then dug through all the fantasy and sci-fi books in that library.

That led me to our old city Carnage library. Still not huge, but a good size for a small community of 4000. That led me to Frankenstein. Published in 1818 by a 20 year old Mary Shelly. Many credit is as the first sci-fi book. I think it is better to think of it as the oldest remembered sci-fi. Whatever the case this book is a fascinating book on what it is to be alive and human. She could have easily made it a horror, ghost story, or just a slasher book.

Yet the book evokes feeling and heart. There is a reason why it is a favorite, and why it was made into a movie in the early 30’s. It can invoke horror and revulsion and follow those up with thought and caring. Exploring what is life and caring. You can see todays culture reflected in the writing. Lets give everyone a chance to love.

This was the era where many remembered the founding of the United States. The thoughts were going through Europe of what it meant to be free, and what are the rights of the people. This is a window into that time. A time of horses, and armies marching through Europe. A different age, that we can still see as relevant now.

It is funny to think this is public domain book that carries so much weight today. how many other writings will survive through the eras.