Frankenstein

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 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

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alle dingen waar ik van hou in gotische verhalen zitten hierin. Vreemde happenings, isolatie, overdreven hoeveelheden emotie uitgedrukt in old school Engels, meanderende zijverhalen, een totaal onnodige omlijsting waarin iemand een brief schrijft.

[Mike Whittern · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could give this a 3.5 stars I would. It was, therefore, a debate between 3 and 4, but ultimately I had to choose 3, but it was close!!

It's surprisingly good! I admittedly had to listen along to get through the dozen commas and semi colons per sentence, as well as the words which I've just never come across before. But through a frankly solid narration from Dan Stevens, Frankenstein, Walton, Clerval and of course the Monster came thoroughly to life.

It is, by every metric, a misery fest. Mary Shelley out here using "Miserable", "wretch", and "hitherto" as though they're going out of fashion. And long, lengthy explanations of just how miserable these people all are. It did get slightly taxing at times.

But the philosophical standpoints that are presented are well delved and of pleasing depth, calling into question the duty of parenthood (Frankenstein to his creation, a duty of love and care), the validity of Revenge (both the monster to Victor for not meeting his needs, and vice versa for the misery wrought), the misguidance of vision and vigour (Victor creating the monster in a seeming delerium driven by blind ambition and insatiable need for glory and progression), and the rashness of supposition (not creating the second creature to be friends with the first in case they were to do evil).

None of these are necessarily presented with specific answers as far as the reader is concerned, though the characters most definitely are firm in their own convictions. Such depth from a story written by such a young (at the time) author, and with such a surprising care shown to male feelings (openly shedding tears, sharing in grief and joy) and tenderness to womens' place and feelings in life at the time (Victor rathering Elizabeth would be alone and happy than with him and miserable).

All in all, pretty solid, albeit miserable. And that's coming from someone from England.

[Jaime Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe that I hadn’t read this book. I have seen the many interpretations in movies where people are more concerned about the monster’s appearance and birth. In the book there is not much description as to the appearance of the monster and the act of his creation.

This is a story of love. Even the monster is capable of affection and love. This is also a story of despair and loss. Again, the monster’s motives are desperation and an unimaginable pain.

I loved the structure of the book. It is old but presents a story by two points of view. I also enjoyed getting into the old use of language. Fiend and wretch are used instead of more modern synonyms. I recognize that this was written in 1818 and even with age has managed to remain readable and clear.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, a classic for a reason. Frankenstein being unrepentant in the end, and becoming like his own creation, really tied together the whole Paradise Lost theme. His pride and glory in himself was his downfall. The transcendent beauty around him, and the love he was showered with from his birth was not enough to pull him outside of himself.

Only reason I'm not putting this on my favorites shelf is because I would've liked to see Shelley delve further into this, and offer some sort of redemption. Maybe following Walton a bit longer at the tail end. Very bleak, but brilliant through and through.

[catarina ⋆.˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

”Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”

I picked this book up after watching the 2025 adaptation by Guillermo del Toro, the movie peeked my interests so I obviously had to read it. And it did held up to it's expectations. It's such a good book, when I ended it I just stared at my wall amazed.

I am not one for classics, there's very few that actually capture my attention, but this one... it became of my favorites from page 1.

“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.”

[Brooke Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I don’t think I ever read this in high school and I’m so glad I finally did. A story delving into the meaning and easy corruption of human nature, of the consequence of playing god. It was heartbreaking and compelling, still so many years after its initial publication.