Frankenstein (Adapted): Great Stories: Intermediate

By Jeremy Taylor

One dark, stormy night in 1816, in Geneva, Switzerland, a small group of English poets and writers decided to tell ghost stories by candlelight. Challenged to write an original ghost story, 18-year-old Mary Shelley created the story of Victor Frankenstein and the monster he brought to life.

This version of one of the most famous horror stories in the world has been adapted for intermediate English language learners and includes vocabulary support, notes on the story, and critical thinking and discussion questions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wayzgoose Press
• Release date: Jul 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005426019

Jeremy Taylor

I've been writing since 1984, had my first book published in 1989 and have published another 55 books since then. I write mostly for teenage learners of English but also write a lot of short stories.

Book preview

Letter 1

To Mrs. Saville, England

St. Petersburg, December 11 th, 17—

My dear sister,

You will be happy to hear that I have arrived safely in St. Petersburg. I know you were worried about my travels. I am now planning a journey to the north, to a land of beauty and delight. I want to travel where no man has gone before. I have read many books about voyages of discovery. I have spent six years training for this trip. I traveled on whaling ships and have experienced many hardships: cold, hunger, thirst, and little sleep. Don’t I deserve to achieve something great? Until now, my life has been easy and filled with luxury. I prefer glory.

I will travel to Archangel in two weeks. I plan to rent a ship and hire some sailors. I won’t sail until June. When will I return? Ah, dear sister, how can I answer this question? If I succeed, many months, perhaps years will pass before you and I meet again. If I fail, you will see me soon. Or never.

I am truly thankful for your love and kindness.

Your affectionate brother,

R. Walton

Letter 2

To Mrs. Saville, England

Archangel, March 28 th, 17—

Here in Archangel, snow is everywhere. I have rented a ship. I am now busy finding sailors for the journey. But I am missing one thing. I don’t have a friend. I have no one to enjoy my successes with. There is no one to make me feel better when I am sad.

Well, these are pointless complaints. It is clear that I will not find a friend on the ocean or even here in Archangel. But my lieutenant is a man of wonderful courage, and the master of the ship is a kind person. I hate the cruelty often found on whaling ships.

My journey is delayed until the weather improves. Spring is coming, and I may sail sooner than expected. I cannot describe my feelings about the journey. My love for the dangerous mysteries of the ocean has been written about by the most imaginative poets. I am going to explore new regions.

Will I meet you again after crossing the seas? It is hard to believe in success, but I cannot think of failure. Please write to me whenever you can. I may receive your letters when I need them most to make me happy. I love you dearly. Remember me with affection, in case you never hear from me again.

Your affectionate brother,

Robert Walton

Letter 3

To Mrs. Saville, England

July 7 th, 17—

My dear sister,

I am writing a short letter to let you know that I am safe. My journey is going well. This letter will be carried to you on a ship sailing to England from Archangel. I am happy, and the crew is strong, even though there are floating sheets of ice around us.

Apart from some strong winds and a leak in the ship, there have been no problems. I will be happy if nothing worse happens during our voyage. I am sure that my trip will be successful. Is there any reason why it should not be? What can stop me? I am very determined.

Best wishes to you, dear sister.

R.W.

Letter 4

To Mrs. Saville, England

August 5 th, 17—

Something happened that was so strange it is hard for me to write about it. It is possible that you will see me before this letter arrives.

Last Monday (July 31 st), we were nearly surrounded by ice. The conditions were very dangerous. There was a very thick fog, and we couldn’t see very far. We waited, hoping that there would be a change in