Mary Shelley wrote 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus' when she was just 18 years old. The idea was born during a rainy summer in 1816 (the 'Year Without a Summer') at Lake Geneva, where she, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron held a contest to see who could write the best ghost story. Mary’s novel is considered the first true work of science fiction because the 'monster' is created through scientific experimentation—galvanism—rather than magic or the supernatural. A common literary misconception is that 'Frankenstein' is the name of the creature; in reality, Victor Frankenstein is the scientist, and the creature remains nameless, often referring to himself as the 'Adam of your labors.' The novel explores profound themes of scientific ethics, the nature of humanity, and the consequences of social isolation.