Ebook: LIFE Frankenstein: The Man, The Monster, The Legacy

As we witness the birth and unknown future of artificial intelligence, Mary Shelley’s riveting story, about scientific ambition and hubris unlocking unheard of, destructive power, couldn’t be more relevant. And, well, there’s also a monster! To celebrate the 200th year of Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, editors at LIFE present this special edition, Frankenstein: The Man, The Monster, The Legacy. Read about the birth of the novel, written amidst Shelley’s scandalous interactions with Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and other wild romantics of the time. Then go behind the scenes as Frankenstein Becomes a Star. More than a hundred photos—including many original, outlandish movie posters—take you through the many film incarnations of the tragic story, from James Whale’s original classic starring Boris Karloff to Mel Brooks’ surprisingly faithful spoof Young Frankenstein. Finally, the Monster Who Won’t Die explores the many versions of the story—from goofy TV renditions like The Munsters to modern cinematic powerhouses like the Alien franchise. Whether you’re looking to think more deeply about the powerful implications of a story about the perils of human progress or just celebrate the history of a monster with bolts in his neck LIFE’s Frankenstein is a must have.