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Frankenstein
- GenresFiction
232 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2025
7 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
2,393 books8,933 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
Want to Read
November 19, 2025I want to hurry and try and get this done today, so I can watch the new movie!!🧌
January 24, 2026
I like the themes but not the writing, unfortunately.
April 17, 2026
וואו איזה באנגר
מדהיםםם איו הערות
מדהיםםם איו הערות
March 21, 2026
A classic for a reason! Mary Shelley has a way with words, her ability to take us on a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts which juxtapose each other. This story was delightful and heartbreaking to read.
November 26, 2025
I really love reading a classic novel 💜
March 12, 2026
[4 stars]
Frankenstein was the second book that I read in my mission to read more classics this year. Although the language was difficult to follow at times, which is why I ended up giving it 4 stars, it was still a pleasant novel with strong messages.
Victor Frankenstein's selfish ambition for scientific discovery gave life to a creature, who at the time was pure and innocent, and then was immediately disgusted when it wasn't as smart as he wanted or planned. Because he took no responsibility for his actions, and his desire to "play God", it lead to destruction and the ultimate downfall of others. Victor's rejection causes the creature's violence, and Wollstonecraft Shelley shows that denying companionship and love can create a monster, and that judgement should not come from one's appearance but their actions instead. This also comes into play as Victor is obsessive over the idea of marrying Elizabeth, feeling like she is owed to him despite his actions making it clear that this is not the case. Although Elizabeth is killed by the hands of the creature, Victor is the one responsible for her death — she becomes a victim of his selfishness and hubris.
These messages of Frankenstein are timeless, and still need to be taken into consideration in the modern age.
Frankenstein was the second book that I read in my mission to read more classics this year. Although the language was difficult to follow at times, which is why I ended up giving it 4 stars, it was still a pleasant novel with strong messages.
Victor Frankenstein's selfish ambition for scientific discovery gave life to a creature, who at the time was pure and innocent, and then was immediately disgusted when it wasn't as smart as he wanted or planned. Because he took no responsibility for his actions, and his desire to "play God", it lead to destruction and the ultimate downfall of others. Victor's rejection causes the creature's violence, and Wollstonecraft Shelley shows that denying companionship and love can create a monster, and that judgement should not come from one's appearance but their actions instead. This also comes into play as Victor is obsessive over the idea of marrying Elizabeth, feeling like she is owed to him despite his actions making it clear that this is not the case. Although Elizabeth is killed by the hands of the creature, Victor is the one responsible for her death — she becomes a victim of his selfishness and hubris.
These messages of Frankenstein are timeless, and still need to be taken into consideration in the modern age.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews