• Frankenstein

  • By: Mary Shelley
  • Narrated by: Dan Stevens
  • Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (19,710 ratings)

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Frankenstein

By: Mary Shelley
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
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Editorial review


By Haley Hill, Audible Editor

MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN IS AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO GRIEVING THE DEAD CREATIVELY

I was muscling through a difficult breakup and grieving the loss of my grandmother, who had passed away in the summer before my senior year of college, so I felt more than a little overwhelmed by the idea of writing my English department thesis that fall semester. Towards the end of September, when I still had not managed to select a research topic for my paper, my brilliant advisor, who knew that I was both fascinated with Gothic literature and rapidly running out of time, handed me her copy of Frankenstein, and gently urged me to read it over the course of a couple days. Frankly, she did not have to ask me twice to devour the classic with urgency.

I have always been a fan of the macabre, so I figured a story about a mad scientist who robs graves for body parts in order to sew together a creature would be right up my alley. That being said, I was immediately blown away by how many thrilling and thought-provoking layers comprise Mary Shelley’s iconic novel.

Of all the fascinating questions that Frankenstein raises, its most infamous has to be: Who is the monster, and who is the man? (That’s in addition to the notorious confusion around who the title refers to; Frankenstein is named for the monster’s creator, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, while his creation is simply referred to in the text as "The Creature," a choice that makes sorting out protagonist from antagonist all the more challenging.) The story is as much about corruption as it is about creation, and listening to Victor and his creature narrate their two perspectives while simultaneously making each other’s lives a living hell proves just that. What makes this story so essential is just how difficult it will always be to sympathize with one character entirely over the other.

A less frequently discussed fact about Frankenstein is that is an epistolary novel, making it perfect for audio! The story is bookended by letters that Robert Walton, a seafaring explorer in search of the North Pole, writes to his worried sister, in which he relays Victor Frankenstein’s shocking confession, which the scientist shares after being rescued aboard his ship. However, despite the riveting attention to detail within Walton’s letters, he ultimately leaves listeners with a question that I find just as fascinating as the last. Will he heed Frankenstein’s saga as a cautionary tale and reconsider following his own ambitions to the literal end of the Earth?

Continue reading Haley's review >

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Male, 2013

Audie Award Finalist, Classic, 2013

Narrator Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) presents an uncanny performance of Mary Shelley's timeless gothic novel, an epic battle between man and monster at its greatest literary pitch. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor to the very brink of madness. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship, scientific hubris, and horror.

Public Domain (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Featured Article: The 20 Best Classic Audiobooks to Listen to Again and Again


Classics are known for their timeless quality, their ability to endure through generations and still hold something significant for the modern listener—whether it’s commentary on a long-gone era or an ageless tale of adventure. In this roundup, each story is paired with an exceptional, show-stopping narrator who takes the tale to new heights. While you may have read some of these stories, you’ve certainly never heard them quite like this.

What listeners say about Frankenstein

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    3 out of 5 stars

Amazing narration! Certainly did the book justice.

Would you listen to Frankenstein again? Why?

For it's time this book is a fascinating read. But it's pretty much just a story of abandonment and daddy issues. I found myself crying "get on with it ffs" on numerous occasions. It may have just been the language of the time.

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Worth it

I thought I knew the story of Frankenstein; I was gravely mistaken. It is a great read/listen, especially if you keep an open mind and remember this was the start of Sci-fi.

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A literally masterpiece!

A phenomenal story which needs no commentary & an equally phenomenal narration! This just might be the most engaging audiobook I’ve listened to so far.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Very interesting but absurdly overwrought

Very creative and interesting but absurdly overwrought. Countless improbable coincidences. Melodramatic soliloquies. I occasionally felt compelled to fast forward.

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Dan Stevens is a fanatic reader

Loved Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey and love him even more as a reader. His voices were captivating and transporting. I’ve never read this book and so glad I did. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

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Unexpected

Not at all what I expected, going if the stereotypical ideas of Frankenstein. A very tender story about deeper themes instead of just being a horror novel about a monster. Wouldn’t call horror at all.

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Amazing, Classic Story

Such powerful themes that are so relevant, even today. masterfully read. A must read/listen for most all levels.

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Frankenstein

Loved the pacing and tone of the narration! It really brought the story of Frankenstein to life!

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Completely Surprised Me.

I was assigned this book as an English project. I’ve never been fond of older literature, surprise. However, this book caught me completely off guard.

The language is not as hard to understand as I first thought it would be, and the description kept me engaged right up to the end. I actually almost cried a few times at how beautiful and sad a few scenes are. It paints an incredibly vivid picture, and the narrator only helps to make the book come to life.

The narrator of this book conveys emotions perfectly, and I honestly felt the elation, peacefulness, sorrow, and the utter desperation in each word.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written and descriptive books that genuinely make you feel something, along with anyone who enjoys a tragedy every once in a while. I’m so glad that this was assigned to me, because I never would have read it if it not, and I would’ve missed out on an amazing piece of literature.

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The greatest of the monster genre!

What a great story. To think the Mary was only 18 years old when this was penned! A truly amazing work. And read quite well. Love this all around. Great book, great audio. True classic.

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