Mary Shelley was 18 years old when she began writing Frankenstein. The novel was published in 1818 when she was just 20. The inspiration for the story came during the summer of 1816, often referred to as the ‘Year Without a Summer’, when Mary and her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley were staying at Lord Byron’s villa in Switzerland. This period was marked by incessant rain and thunderstorms, which led to the group entertaining themselves by telling ghost stories. It was during this time that Mary conceived the idea for Frankenstein.
The themes she explored—creation, responsibility, and the consequences of tampering with nature—reflect her young yet profound insights into the human condition and societal norms. Writing this groundbreaking novel at such a young age is a testament to her remarkable talent and creativity.