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Arcturus Publishing Ltd Frankenstein Illustrated by Kim Ekdahl (Arcturus Illustrated Classics).
Arcturus Publishing Ltd Frankenstein Illustrated by Kim Ekdahl (Arcturus Illustrated Classics) ABISBOOK Arcturus Publishing Ltd.
- GenresClassics
224 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2025
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About the author
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
2,342 books8,500 followersMary 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 30, 2025
3.75
Reading the original 1818 text of Frankenstein has surprised me in the most wonderful way. This book is nothing like the image I had of "Frankenstein" (not even sure where from)
The story of Frankenstein is far more emotional and philosophical than I ever expected. The passages told from the Creature’s perspective were the highlight for me. His reflections, his sensitivity and the way he quietly observes the De Lacey family from his hovel are stunning. He sees himself as part of their lives even though they are unaware of his existence. His emotional intelligence is extraordinary; he understands love, belonging and vulnerability long before anyone shows him kindness.
It’s tragic that Victor could give life but not love. The novel shows that creation without care becomes cruelty. Victor plays god in bringing him to life (early creation of AI?), yet completely fails in the most basic duty of a creator: to Nurture. The real sin here isn’t creation, but abandonment.
That said, I did find some of Victor’s sections repetitive, especially his long stretches of despair and self-pity, which at times slowed the narrative. But even those moments contribute to the moral weight and reveal how unfit he is to take responsibility for what he created.
Reading the original 1818 text of Frankenstein has surprised me in the most wonderful way. This book is nothing like the image I had of "Frankenstein" (not even sure where from)
The story of Frankenstein is far more emotional and philosophical than I ever expected. The passages told from the Creature’s perspective were the highlight for me. His reflections, his sensitivity and the way he quietly observes the De Lacey family from his hovel are stunning. He sees himself as part of their lives even though they are unaware of his existence. His emotional intelligence is extraordinary; he understands love, belonging and vulnerability long before anyone shows him kindness.
It’s tragic that Victor could give life but not love. The novel shows that creation without care becomes cruelty. Victor plays god in bringing him to life (early creation of AI?), yet completely fails in the most basic duty of a creator: to Nurture. The real sin here isn’t creation, but abandonment.
That said, I did find some of Victor’s sections repetitive, especially his long stretches of despair and self-pity, which at times slowed the narrative. But even those moments contribute to the moral weight and reveal how unfit he is to take responsibility for what he created.
November 17, 2025
This is amazing, and possibly the oldest novel I’ve ever read. I enjoy the story as well as the snippets of history when people still travels by boat and horse — there was not even passenger train yet. Also that the daemon is a vegetarian, apparently vegetarianism for moral reason (not religious or health) was (already) in fashion early 1800s.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews