Yes — Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is free to listen to. It's a public-domain classic, so the full unabridged audiobook streams free in your browser — no account, no subscription, no sign-up. The full unabridged recording runs 5 hours 59 minutes. For word-by-word read-along, RSVP speed-reading, offline listening, and 30+ natural voices, get the free Éist app.
Frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft · ~360 min total
Chapter 1
Chapters (24)
Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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Chapter 4
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Chapter 5
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Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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Chapter 8
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Chapter 9
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Chapter 10
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Chapter 11
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Chapter 12
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Chapter 13
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Chapter 14
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Chapter 15
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Chapter 16
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Chapter 17
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Chapter 18
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Chapter 19
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Chapter 20
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Chapter 21
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Chapter 22
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Chapter 23
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Chapter 24
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About Frankenstein
Mary Shelley wrote this at 18 years old and accidentally invented modern science fiction. Far more philosophical and tragic than the movies — a meditation on creation, responsibility, and abandonment.
Why it works as an audiobook
The nested narrators (Walton → Frankenstein → the Creature) work brilliantly as audio because each voice has a distinct register. The Creature’s speeches are some of the most affecting monologues in English literature.
- Genre: Gothic / Science Fiction
- Themes: gothic horror, science fiction origin, dark academia, philosophical novel
- Approximate length: 9 hours
- Source: Project Gutenberg #84 (public domain)
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about listening to Frankenstein free on Éist.
Is the Frankenstein audiobook free?
Yes. Frankenstein is in the public domain, so you can stream the complete audiobook free in your browser with no account or subscription. Download the free Éist app (iOS and Android) to listen offline, read along word-by-word, and speed-read with RSVP.
Who wrote Frankenstein?
Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley. It was first published in 1818.
How long is the Frankenstein audiobook?
Frankenstein is 5 hours 59 minutes long at normal speed, spread across 24 chapters. Adjust the speed, or read even faster with RSVP speed-reading, in the free Éist app.
Can I read along while listening to Frankenstein?
In your browser you can read the full text while the audio plays. The free Éist app goes further — it highlights each word in sync as it is spoken (word-by-word read-along), on Frankenstein and any EPUB or PDF you import.
Can I speed-read Frankenstein?
Yes. The free Éist app includes RSVP speed-reading, which shows one word at a time at a pace you control, so you can get through Frankenstein much faster than scrolling. It works on this book and any EPUB or PDF you import.
Do I need an account or subscription to listen to Frankenstein?
No. Frankenstein streams in your browser for free with no sign-up required. The Éist app (iOS and Android) is also free, with no subscription for public-domain titles.
Can I listen to Frankenstein offline?
Yes. Download the free Éist app on iOS or Android to listen to Frankenstein — and hundreds of other public-domain audiobooks — without an internet connection.
