Frankenstein: New Edition of Mary Shelley's Gothic Masterpiece

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Tells the tragic story of ambition, creation, and the consequences of playing God in a cautionary tale.

One of the best-known works of English literature, Frankenstein gave rise to the science-fiction and horror genres and has enthralled generations of readers since its publication in 1818.

The book follows the story of Victor Frankenstein and his the result of his desire to create life. But his botched experiment is so grotesque that the doctor immediately regrets what he has done and abandons the monster, leaving him to fend for himself. The creature finds and confronts his maker pleading for a companion – his human right to happiness. Fearing what this may lead to, Victor refuses, causing the monster to vow to ruin any happiness in Victor’s life.

A tragedy and a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of ambition and creation, Mary Shelley’s masterpiece is more relevant now than ever.

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published March 2, 2025

About the author

Mary Shelley (née Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, often known as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, travel writer, and editor of the works of her husband, Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. She was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and the writer, philosopher, and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

Mary Shelley was taken seriously as a writer in her own lifetime, though reviewers often missed the political edge to her novels. After her death, however, she was chiefly remembered only as the wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley and as the author of Frankenstein. It was not until 1989, when Emily Sunstein published her prizewinning biography Mary Shelley: Romance and Reality, that a full-length scholarly biography analyzing all of Shelley's letters, journals, and works within their historical context was published.

The well-meaning attempts of Mary Shelley's son and daughter-in-law to "Victorianise" her memory through the censoring of letters and biographical material contributed to a perception of Mary Shelley as a more conventional, less reformist figure than her works suggest. Her own timid omissions from Percy Shelley's works and her quiet avoidance of public controversy in the later years of her life added to this impression.

The eclipse of Mary Shelley's reputation as a novelist and biographer meant that, until the last thirty years, most of her works remained out of print, obstructing a larger view of her achievement. She was seen as a one-novel author, if that. In recent decades, however, the republication of almost all her writings has stimulated a new recognition of its value. Her voracious reading habits and intensive study, revealed in her journals and letters and reflected in her works, is now better appreciated. Shelley's recognition of herself as an author has also been recognized; after Percy's death, she wrote about her authorial ambitions: "I think that I can maintain myself, and there is something inspiriting in the idea". Scholars now consider Mary Shelley to be a major Romantic figure, significant for her literary achievement and her political voice as a woman and a liberal.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you write a review of a book the on its back proclaims itself to be 'one of the 100 greatest books ever writen'.
Moreso how do you write a the first review of this edition of it?
Honestly I guess.
Cultural we are all aware of this novel and tale. Though I will admit my knowledge of it has been warped by images in popular culture over the years. I did feel compelled to purchase and read this edition of the novel (I really liked the cover).
Whereas part of me was expecting dark woods and castles. Thunderstorms and late night gravedigging, what I found was a story that charmed me. And at times felt like an 19th century travel guide. And I adored the introduction by Jenni Fagen which stayed with me as I travelled through this edition of the book.
I absolutely enjoyed this.
(So much this is my first good reads review)

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Frankenstein” has, and always will be a classic horror story and although most people associate the name with tv/film or even as a ‘character’ figure that everyone knows the description of, a lot of people won’t have read Mary Shelly’s infamous novel. I’ve always wanted to read this book, dubbed as one of the one hundred greatest novels of all time.

Polygon Books has newly published the story with a specially commissioned introduction by Jenni Fagan, with her personal recount on the life of ‘Mary, the Creator’ which I found truly fascinating. Exceedingly well researched by Jenni and written as if a story in itself, this is the perfect foreword to the original sci-fi story, that was way ahead of its time, with an author that put the chills into the publishing world of the early 19th century.

“Frankenstein” needs no explanation, read it, enjoy it, be amazed and it’s inevitable that you’ll see the connections to the modern day world, with themes of ‘identity, ambition and conflict between science and nature’. This literary classic will never date and should be adorned on every book lovers shelf.

#Frankenstein - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This classic subverted my expectations at every turn. I thought I knew what “Frankenstein” was about, but reading it for myself was an entirely different and worthwhile experience. I expected it to be stuffy, hard to follow, or with language that was inaccessible. What I found instead was deeply romantic and reflective. The creature’s longing for community and for understanding is perhaps the most human element of the novel. Where did I come from and why am I here? It’s clear why “Frankenstein” is regarded as one of the greats, and I feel its enduring poignancy.