At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, "Frankenstein" tells the story of science student Victor Frankenstein, who is obsessed with "bestowing animation upon lifeless matter." Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts, but upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by loneliness, the creature unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator.

"Frankenstein, " an instant best-seller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science-

fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound questions about the

nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos. In our age, filled with news of organ donation, genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.

Karen Karbiener received a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and currently teaches literature at

Colby College.