《科学怪人》(Frankenstein)这部小说,描写一位年轻的科学学生在科学实验中创造出了一个生物。这是一部伟大的恐怖小说,但也探讨了哲学上的一些观念,以及人类是否有权「扮演上帝」的议题。这是一本极早期的科幻小说典范。
1816年夏天,玛丽•雪莱(Mary Shelley, 1797–1851)与丈夫柏西•雪莱(Percy Shelley, 1792–1822),连同拜伦(Lord Byron, 1788–1824)和其他友人一同前往日内瓦旅行。由于天候恶劣,大伙无法外出活动,便待在屋内消磨时间。他们阅读恐怖小说,接着比赛写恐怖小说。玛丽想像一个科学家创造了一个生物,却反被他所创造的「东西」所吓到的故事,她的想像最后成为了《科学怪人》的故事。
这本小说除了告诫执迷的危险,也谈到了孤独的问题。这个怪物之所以会行径失控,是由于外表被排斥,而非本性恶劣。在故事中,他几次展现了他良善的一面。
小说出版后,有批评家评说「恐怖又恶心」,但其他评论家惊讶的是这本小说竟出自女性之手。然而,《科学怪人》非常畅销,并于1823年搬上舞台剧,从此广为人知。之后,也有多部电影、电视剧和戏剧改编或源自于这本小说。
Frankenstein is a novel about a young science student who creates a creature as a scientific experiment. It is a great horror story but also discusses ideas about philosophy and questions man’s right to “play God”. It is a very early example of science fiction.
During the summer of 1816, Mary Shelley traveled to Geneva with her husband Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and others. The weather was too bad for outdoor activities, so the friends spent time inside. They read ghost stories and then had a competition to write the best horror story. Mary dreamt about a scientist who created life but was horrified by the “thing” he had made; her dream became the story of Frankenstein.
As well as being a warning about the dangers of obsession, the novel also talks about the problem of being lonely. The monster only becomes violent because he is rejected for his appearance, not because he is naturally evil. He shows himself to have a good character several times in his story.
When the book came out one critic said it was “horrible and disgusting”. Others were shocked that a woman had written it. But Frankenstein was extremely popular. It became widely known when it was made into a stage play in 1823. It has inspired many films, TV adaptations and plays since then.
【Helbling文学读本(Helbling Readers)简介】 ● Helbling Classics(经典英文文学改写)
● Helbling Fiction(当代原创英文小说)
《Helbling文学读本》为一套最优质的英文分级阅读读本,英语难易度由初级衔接到中级。在各项英语认证考试中,本系列书培养的英语能力级数如下:
GEPT英检 | TOEIC多益 | TOEFL iBT托福 | IELTS雅思 |
中 级 | 550 | 57 -8 6 | 4.5 |
全系列皆随书附赠全文朗读MP3。
内文编排精美,採用彩色印刷,全文穿插精美插图,单元设计丰富。
除了精彩的小说之外,另编写有:
1. About the Author(作者简介):介绍作者,帮助认识创作背景。
2. About the Book(本书简介):介绍故事内容概要,帮助了解故事的背景与旨意。
3. Before Reading(阅前活动):设计各种问题和活动,帮助暖身,启发各种探讨与学习。
4. After Reading(阅后练习):设计各种深入的问题和题目练习,帮助复习内容,加深英语的学习印象。
5. Test(测验):有些读本在阅毕之后,设计有各种测验题目,包括文意测验和英语练习等。
6. Translation(中译):完整的英文故事翻译,帮助理解文意。
7. Answer Key(解答):针对「阅前活动」、「阅后练习」和「测验」,提供解答。
8. 随文讨论:在故事行文中,另设计有针对内文情节的问题探讨,帮助做启发性的思考。
【本书录音採用英式发音】