Frankenstein

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, MinaLima (illustrator)

Genres: Classics, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy

416 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 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

[Faye 🫀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Shelley you are just everything to me….. what an impeccable re-reading experience with such a lovely edition <3

I stand by the 1818 text is the utmost best version of this novel to exist & it’s agonizingly devastating to me that the overwhelming majority of Frankenstein readers only read the revised text. I did love my reading experience though & personally still loved this version

[Charlie Oakman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried.

[Mathilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankenstein was not what I expected, as it was much more poetic. The language surprised me with how emotional and thoughtful it was. I kept wondering who the real monster was. Maybe the creature is frightening, but Frankenstein himself feels like the true villain because of his choices and his refusal to take responsibility. A powerful and memorable read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

(rereading dopo ANNI)
Anyway, che la trasposizione di del Toro (no shade al regista, che apprezzo cmq) non abbia apportato nessuna aggiunta e anzi, deprivi il classico di alcuni suoi aspetti fondamentali, qua sopra, lo posso dire o qualcuno si offende? No perchè se devo leggere l'ennesimo tweet di qualcuno che esplica di quanto poco la Creatura sia mai stata capita nel corso della sua breve vita "cinematografica", forse mi esplode la vena.

Talmente capita e compresa che hanno tolto il Frankenstein pischello che pecca di hybris e lo hanno dovuto sostituire a un più didascalico disney villain. Già, già. Riaprire le scuole!!

[Dunja Brala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es gibt so Werke da können alle irgendwie mitreden. Nur ich hab das Gefühl, dass ich unbedingt mal ran muss, weil ich weder das Buch gelesen, noch den Film gesehen habe. Eins davon ist Frankenstein.

Natürlich wusste ich, dass es hier einen Wissenschaftler gibt, der aus toten Körperteilen eine Kreatur erschaffen hat, die sich nachher gegen ihn wendet. Aber wie das im Einzelnen zusammen hängt, lag außerhalb meiner intellektuellen Reichweite.

Dass das Monster in Ingolstadt zum Leben erweckt wurde, war für mich eine der ersten Überraschungen. Auch, dass es aus dem Gefühl der Einsamkeit heraus Frankensteins komplette Familie direkt oder indirekt vernichtet hat, wusste ich nicht. Und das beinah sogar eine Frau „Monster“ entstanden wär, war mir ebenfalls neu. Am interessantesten fand ich aber doch, dass es Anfang des 18. Jahrhunderts spielt, so früh hatte ich das nicht angesiedelt.

Sprachlich ist der Roman, der Horror und philosophische Gesellschaftskritik vereint, aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven geschrieben. Er ist als Rahmen- und Binnenerzählung aufgebaut. Es kommen sowohl Viktor Frankenstein als auch das Monster zu Wort. Robert Walton ist der eigentliche Erzähler, da er die Briefe schreibt, in denen Victor Frankensteins Geschichte und die des Monsters wiedergegeben wird.

Aus der Sicht der Epoche, in der Frankenstein 1818 erschien wurde das Buch als hochaktuelles, provokantes Werk wahrgenommen, das mitten in die großen Debatten traf.
Wissenschaftlicher Fortschritt wurde nicht nur als Bereicherung, sondern auch als Gefahr wahrgenommen. Zu Shelleys Zeit boomten neue naturwissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse, die oft auf Experimenten mit Elektrizität oder Möglichkeiten von Wiederbelebung basierten. Vieles war geprägt vom Optimismus der Aufklärung, alles schien auf einmal erklär- und kontrollierbar. Frankenstein wurde daher als Warnung vor grenzenlosem Fortschrittsglauben gelesen. Und Gott soll niemand spielen.
Für mich hatte die Lektüre durchaus gruselige Momente. Die wunderschöne Ausgabe des Coppenrath Verlags unter der Federführung von Minalima hat das Lesen zu einer Augenweide gemacht. Schöner kann für mich ein Klassiker nicht sein und im Endeeffekt hat dieses so künstlerisch gestaltete Werk mich dazu verführt, einen weiteren Teil meiner Klassiker Challenge zu lesen, den ich euch sehr gerne empfehle.

[Imbroc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo rileggo con occhi più allenati, ma anche meno capaci di entusiasmarsi. Come tanti classici, soffre il problema delle spiegazioni, delle anticipazioni, del didascalismo, dell'assenza di quelle scaltrezze narrative oggi necessarie a togliere ingenuità alle storie. Ma Frankenstein è come Michael Jordan o Schumacher: tutti sanno chi è, anche senza conoscere le sue imprese, identificandolo erroneamente con la creatura anziché con il creatore. La mia parte ottusa potrebbe dire che è più importante per la materia e l’influenza che ha esercitato nell'immaginario artistico e popolare, che come opera letteraria. Eppure nessuna trasposizione cinematografica raggiunge il livello del libro (quel capolavoro di Frankenstein Junior non conta!). D'altronde Frankenstein è sfuggito alle stesse mani della sua giovane creatrice, che nelle intenzioni iniziali scriveva un racconto dell'orrore.

Nel rivisitare il mito di Prometeo, Shelley si serve di vari strumenti: lettere che diventano diari per il ritrovatore di Victor; poi la trasposizione del racconto di Victor, il creatore, che confessa il suo segreto; e ancora la narrazione in prima persona del "mostro", inserita nel racconto di Victor. Insomma, un'inception di racconti.
Victor vive il suo senso di colpa come lo vivrebbe un normale essere umano, non va più in profondità di quanto ne sia capace. Ed è questa la materia oscura del romanzo, che continua a parlarci e a metterci in crisi con la natura umana. Chi stabilisce cos'è umano e cosa no? E quale rabbia e vendetta siano lecite e degne, e quali no?

Chi ha "rifatto" Frankenstein ha fallito; pur aggiustando la trama e la struttura, nessuna opera ispirata al romanzo si avvicina alla profondità filosofica del lavoro di Shelley.
Vale la pena leggerlo, in qualunque fase della vita.

[Mary Heron · Rating 3 out of 5]

An I the only one that didn't enjoy this book?

I get that it's a classic and i.get that Mary Shelley was a genius writing this when she was only eighteen and I also get that the concept is pure genius. But.................... Can we not agree that the language is quite outdated with all the "thee's and thou"s then there's the dramatic dialogue e.g. At the end Frankenstein is berating the ship's crew because they want to turn back if they manage to get the ship out of the ice, after they've been Stuck for months and theres been multiple deaths. Does Frankenstein emphasise with these men for wanting a chance of surviving..... No he rounds on them as cowards for attempting to abandon their duties. Now it's selfish of Frankenstein for at least two reasons one he does not want to turn back, he cannot for he knows what follows him, two he's dying and everyone knows it so to or stay makes no matter to him. So what should take a few words goes on and on and surprise surprise he ends up.shaming the men in staying. Now that's just one segment and I have to say the book is full of them but for me the question that's never answered by Frankenstein in his long tale is that while we know he was making his monster from parts why did he have to make him so horrific surely at some point he.just have stopped to think of what his "creation" would look like animated and what he expected the creatures "life" to be like?

[minna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

The writing was very poetic, which I liked, though it also felt a bit long-winded at times. The characters were hard to like, Victor especially annoyed the F out of me, but I think that’s part of the point of the book. Overall, I found the social critique I took from it very interesting, and I thought the feminist undertones and social commentary felt surprisingly modern.

The illustrations by MinaLima were a nice touch and supported the dark and eerie atmosphere of the book.

All in all, not the most gripping read for me, but a thought-provoking one that sticks with you. Definitely a classic I’m glad I read.

[Lizzy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much better than any of the movies based on it. It makes you feel sorry for both Victor and his monster, while also completely understanding why one hates the other. I wish the movies would’ve showed more of his loving relationship with his family to really show how much their deaths all scarred him.

I don’t like how the new movie made it seem like he had a hard childhood and a strict dad. In the book he even says he had a great childhood that he couldn’t complain about, and his dad was constantly supportive throughout the book.

His relationship with Elizabeth was definitely weird though.

Next: The Copper Beech (Maeve Binchy)

[Jesse Summers]

Two suggested edits:

1. Fight Club twist: the monster is literally Frankenstein. Rewrite the last couple of pages. Explains why the monster is always coincidentally near Frankenstein and why Frankenstein spends half the book insane and sometimes forgets entire months of his life.

2. The monster is real and leaves the boat to head further north across the ice as he says, where he then uses Frankenstein’s life-creation technology to build a race of elves that he uses to repay his debt for the murders, by giving children around the world presents once a year.

[Aurelie Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il semblerait que nous connaissions tous vaguement l’histoire de Frankenstein comme ce classique a tellement été vu et revu dans la culture populaire. Mais je me rends compte que connaissais en réalité peu de choses de l’histoire. Et j’ai donc découvert cette œuvre de Marie Shelley qui marque le début du roman fantastique. Ce roman m’a surprise par sa richesse : ce n’est pas simplement un récit de monstre, c’est une œuvre profondément humaine, tragique, philosophique.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onwijs goed verhaal, maar zo moeilijk om mijn concentratie erbij te houden door het taalgebruik. Je merkt dat dit in 1818 geschreven. 

[Rebecca Bandiera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una storia senza tempo, un viaggio tumultuoso pervaso dalla vendetta, una Creatura orrenda nell'aspetto e corrosa dall'odio, sola al mondo, un finale tragico e stupendo. ❤️

[Sylke Berloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

La creatura, el monstruo, Adán, es la muestra irrefutable de como el dolor, el aislamiento y el rechazo condiciona en los sentimientos y las decisiones.

[Mari Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic and timeless story for a reason, the birth of sci fi and the Minalima version with gorgeous illustrations and interactive elements is inspired.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankenstein is one of my all-time favourite classics. It’s a story about ambition, isolation, prejudice, revenge, and more.

The Minalima edition is truly a work of art and encapsulates the sublime: “feeling inadequacy human beings experience upon contemplating nature in its full mightiness and splendor.” The illustrations embody this feeling and allow readers to fully immerse themselves in this classic tale.

Overall, this stunning edition of Frankenstein perfectly captures the novel’s haunting beauty and timeless exploration of humanity’s darkest and most awe-inspiring desires.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

victor you were so wrong for that

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sea captain looking for excitement and adventure discovers something otherworldly, fascinating and horrifying at the same time.
Stuck in the ice in the Far North of the world, he writes letters to his sister Margaret, never knowing whether she will ever see them. His wonder and horror begins with the sight of a dog sled far in the distance, with a huge man aboard.

To his amazement, another man is found on the ice, nearly frozen to death, and rambling about a monster. He must tell his story, and the captain is willing to hear it.

Victor Frankenstein is the man’s name, and he begun his life with wealth and happiness. He had two brothers, and a close friend named Elizabeth who was adopted into the family. He tells the captain of his early life then his time as a medical student. He had read many books about the wonders of life and a particular author had helped spark an idea in him. Could he himself make life?

After years of almost manic work, the result is a creature that Victor flees from the night it breathes for the first time. He spends years running from his creation, only to lose loved ones to the madness it brings to his life.

The monster itself has a story to tell, and one day Victor is forced to hear it. The monster had to learn everything about what it is to live – completely on his own. From the warmth of the sun on his face, and the sound of birds, to the fear and hatred forced upon him by anyone who lay their eyes upon him.

Victor and his monster both have a need to make the other suffer, and in their desperation, their lives are soon controlled by their mutual hate. They find themselves on the ice, near the North Pole, telling a sea captain their story…..


Frankenstein is a story within a story within a story. It’s the first Gothic Horror tale (1818) to fascinate the world, and has been made into movies, comics, tv shows, and all manner of media. In fact, film has introduced its own concepts which have been readily accepted into the tale.

(eg. There is no mention of electricity, or use of lightning to animate the monster in the original novel)

Its author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley has a fascinating background story herself, along with how her novel Frankenstein was written.

Both author and creation have heartbreaking lives, and many have studied the connections.

Although I have multiple copies of Frankenstein, and also novels that have branched off from the original narrative, this Mina Lima version captured my attention all over again with its stunning art and special features of pop-ups, fold out maps, a treasured locket and more.

Frankenstein is a classic for a reason – it’s a captivating story of love, loss, passion and horror. A tale of fathers and sons. And the ensuing question that remains. Who was the real monster in this story?

Age – 14+

Publisher – Harper Collins

Special edition – Mina Lima

Set – 18th Century Europe – Geneva, Swiss Alps, England, Scotland, Germany, Mont Blanc

Viewpoint – 1st person

Historical / Fantasy / Horror

[_sweetshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

N’ayant encore jamais lu Frankenstein ou le Prométhée moderne, j’ai profité des nombreuses rééditions parues cette année pour enfin me lancer. J’ai découvert ce classique dans deux éditions très différentes : la version Flammarion Jeunesse x MinaLima et celle de Bragelonne en format poche. La première mise davantage sur le côté esthétique : un véritable objet de collection, sublime dans une bibliothèque. La seconde, plus compacte, privilégie la praticité, idéale à glisser dans un sac.

Les traductions diffèrent aussi. Celle de Flammarion Jeunesse, plus accessible et pensée pour un public adolescent alors que celle de Bragelonne, plus soutenue et destinée à un lectorat adulte. Pour ma part, j’ai davantage adhéré à la traduction de Flammarion Jeunesse, plus proche de ce que j’ai l’habitude de lire et moins formelle. Elle m’a permis d’entrer dans l’histoire avec fluidité. La traduction Bragelonne est très qualitative, mais parfois un peu trop soutenue, ce qui m’a fait décrocher à quelques passages.

Concernant l’histoire en elle-même, je suis ravie de l’avoir enfin découverte. Je n’en connaissais absolument rien — je n’avais vu ni adaptations, ni réécritures — et elle s’est révélée bien plus triste et tragique que ce que j’imaginais. Victor Frankenstein m’a souvent agacée : lâche, irresponsable, incapable d’assumer les conséquences de ses actes… Il voit pourtant son univers basculer du tout au tout après la naissance de sa créature, entamant alors un périple qui ne cessera de le malmener. À l’inverse, la créature m’a profondément touchée. Courageuse, volontaire, en quête de sens… son évolution est l’un des aspects que j’ai préférés suivre. Elle contraste tellement avec son créateur que leurs échanges mettent en lumière, avec finesse, les travers humains, la peur de la différence, la solitude, mais aussi les enjeux éthiques et sociaux soulevés par l’existence d’un être "hors norme". Je reste néanmoins un peu frustrée : la dimension plus scientifique de la “création” n’est qu’effleurée, alors qu’elle aurait pu être passionnante si elle avait été davantage développée.

Il faut aussi savoir que le roman demeure assez lent, avec un côté contemplatif très marqué. Il ne repose pas sur l’action, mais sur une narration en cascade, rapportée par plusieurs voix, comme une histoire racontée plus que vécue. C’est un style que j’ai beaucoup apprécié, même si cette structure peut donner une impression de lenteur.

En définitive, cette lecture a été une très belle découverte, et je ne peux que vous encourager à votre tour à plonger dans ce monument de la littérature !

[:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich möchte mich zuerst herzlich dafür bedanken, dass ich die Möglichkeit erhalten habe, diese wunderschöne MinaLima-Schmuckausgabe lesen zu dürfen. Besonders die interaktiven Einheiten haben mich beim Lesen einfach nur begeistert

Nun zur Rezi:
Ich bin mit großer Neugier an Frankenstein herangegangen, weil ich die eigentliche Geschichte bisher kaum kannte und ich die Sorge hatte sie könne mir nicht gefallen. Schon nach wenigen Seiten hat mich Mary Shelleys Erzählweise vollkommen für sich eingenommen. Besonders spannend fand ich die vielen zeitlosen Themen, die im Roman mitschwingen, wie Einsamkeit, die Suche nach Zugehörigkeit, der Wunsch nach Bedeutung – aber auch die moralischen Grenzen wissenschaftlichen Ehrgeizes (was ich als angehende Medizinerin besonders spannend finde).


Mit Victor Frankenstein selbst bin ich allerdings nicht so warm geworden. Seine impulsiven Entscheidungen und sein Hang zur Dramatik haben mich manchmal eher irritiert als berührt, auch wenn sein innerer Konflikt durchaus interessant dargestellt ist.


Dafür hat mich der Schreibstil wirklich beeindruckt. Shelley schafft es, eine düster-atmosphärische Welt aufzubauen, die man sofort vor sich sieht. Jede Beschreibung wirkt bewusst gesetzt und verstärkt die Stimmung des Romans. Besonders hervorheben möchte ich außerdem die Schmuckausgabe, die ich gelesen habe: Die Illustrationen passen perfekt zum Ton der Geschichte und geben dem Ganzen eine zusätzliche Intensität. Dadurch wurde das Leseerlebnis für mich noch eindrücklicher und auf jeden Fall nicht das letzte Mal, dass ich Frankenstein lesen werde. Nun werde ich aber die Frankenstein Neuverfilmung schauen, welch passendes Timing ;)

[Hope Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the other Minalima books.

Frankenstein is still a great story and the images are stunning but there were a few annoying things I noticed.

The glue for the inserts was very weak - especially compared to my other Minalima books. They would fall out with the slightest touch.

The insert that is most advertised for this book is the eye that swirls open and closed. The mechanism never worked for me - no matter how gentle I was with it - the eye never fully closed and was just awkward. This isn’t a problem that I’ve had with my three other Minalima books.

There’s an image of Safie in the book a couple pages before she’s introduced as a character. That feels lazy to me and lacks the care I expect with Minalima books. Often there are images with quotes on them that relate to the next page - this slightly annoys me cause it gives tiny spoilers - but this is the first time I’ve come across a spoiler for the next chapter of the book. Also everyone is sad in the picture which contrasts Safie’s role of lightening is cottagers spirits with her arrival. Just really lazy.

Anyway I still loved the art style and the color scheme used. Great book just not as great as my other Minalima books.

[Gustavo Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished @ 9:44 pm.

Just writing my thoughts on the last few chapters.

I audibly gasped when it was revealed Clerval was murdered.

And then Elizabeth (which I knew was coming from the film but didn’t know HOW).

Then the father.

Like, I NEEDED the creature murdered.

I felt empathy toward Victor again.

But then in the creature’s final recount of his life and actions.. his hopes and dreams.. I felt empathy for him again.

What a ride. I gasped again when it ended ‘cause I didn’t expect that to be the end.

I read 50 pages during each of my sessions, except for the final lap where I ate up 94 pages because I HAD to know how this ended.

Mary Shelley couldn’t have conceived in 1816 that she’d be gagging a gay Puerto Rican man in his early 30’s, 210 ten years later. Loved that there were still so many elements I didn’t expect because the Guillermo del Toro film handled it differently. Absolutely changed by this book.

S/O MinaLima for the beautiful illustrations and interactive elements.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

The writing was much more poetically written than I thought it would be

When focusing on the science I think the book was really good and engaging however The book doesn’t focus on the creation of the monster as much as I think it should have. It focuses more on the actions of the monster, which was interesting however the book really shone when it focused on the science/ more macabre elements.

the interactions between people no matter the relationship felt odd and very unrealistic that may be due to the time period it was written tho

So we all agree that victor was in love with Henry right

The choice to tell the story through victors recall works really well to tell the story

[Kelsey Burnham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, it's a classic for a reason.

I liked how every time Frankenstein had to face up to the issues he caused, dude would faint for like 2 months just to get out of dealing with the consequences. The monster was the best part, and his story is what kept me intrigued. I've tried to read this book in the past and could never really get into it, so I think this edition with illustrations helped me to visualize the story better and provided a more enjoyable reading experience.

[Mistress of the Bleeding Sorrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankenstein is a classic for a reason, and it only grows more powerful with each reread. The MinaLima edition makes the experience even more enjoyable. And of course, at the center of the story is one of literature’s most misunderstood figures, a lonely creature who really just wanted a hug… and maybe a bit less rejection from humanity. 🥺🥺🥺

[Brother · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more likely end to the monsters lament.
.....I ate some berries wich I found hanging on the trees.....
Click click.
-Why oh creator do you direct your rifle at me.
- You kill my brother and expect me to listen to a story about how you went on a vegan picnic.
-Prepare to meet your maker......hmm, well you have already done that so here goes.
-But wait...
BOOOM.
The end

[Northawke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful version to read, but I really detest Victor Frankenstein. There's also a few things I'd personally change for the flow of the story, but that's mostly nitpicking as a modern reader. Solid read.

[Liam McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowkey slow to start reading the letters and such, but towards the end it gets so sad and beautiful. To me, there are two lines of thought, that the creature is akin to an abandoned child, and the other, that The creature is a monster and violation of life and death.