I had an epiphany for a sequel to Frankenstein.
We open on the proper ending the book provides, of the Creature jumping to an ice floe from the ship after killing Frankenstein. He makes his way to the North Pole, so he can follow through with his grim plan to self-immolate. Weeks of hard travel later, pulling a sledge of wood to at as his pyre.
Rather than the barren wasteland he expects, he finds… a large, sprawling workshop, staffed with little people. He’s greeted by a large man in red.
He’s found Santa Claus.
Santa does not know the Creature’s name, but knows intrinsically that the creature has been Naughty. Given substantial extenuating circumstances, Santa offers the Creature a chance to work his way onto the Nice list.
The Creature applies himself in the workshop, making toys. He finds opportunities to discover things about himself outside of his early life and his quest to enact vengeance upon his creator. He asks many questions of the elves, and of Santa, and of himself.
Finally, Santa offers to put the Creature on the Nice List, and asks the Creature what he wants his name to be. He is uncertain, and wants to wait until he has the right name. After a few days, he puts his name on a stocking, and places it at the foot of his bed for Santa to see.