Frankenstein: The Definitive 1831 Edition of the Gothic Horror Classic

by Mary Shelley, Drop Cap Classics (Contributor)

Genres: Classics

155 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2025

About the author

See Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Reviews

[k a i t l y n · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this with my english class, and although i was hesitant at first to get into it, the further we analyzed the more i was drawn into the book. the theme of “to not push the boundaries of nature” and “unchecked ambition” are timeless and can be applied to current day events. the ending left me wanting more and i absolutely loved this book. mary shelley created a masterpiece and i will forever love my teacher for giving teaching this novel!

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars rounded up. An absolutely stunning classic, Mary Shelley is an inspiration. I read the 1818 version in high school so I had to read the second edition to compare and contrast!!

I preferred the creature in the 1818 edition, though I adored the way he made you think and feel in both. His feeling of “otherness” was a core piece in both that carried a lot of weight for me while reading.

I loved reading the excerpt in the beginning that Mary shared her perspective on what she changed and why. Such a reflective read, her prose is thoughtful and some of the lines cut to your core.

“Life, though it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it”

“Beware; I am fearless, therefore powerful”

Classic and for good reason.

[Chelsea Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! I definitely dont consider myself an expert at all when it comes to classics and dont have tons of experience however I could actually understand the writing in this one and felt the language wasn't too difficult to read.

I was blown away at how beautiful and terrifying this story was. It was not at all what I expected and so much deeper than the silly green monster we see during Halloween.

It's a story of wanting and desiring love and acceptance, friendship, revenge and entertains the thought of what happens when our pursuit of knowledge and perhaps power goes a little too far.....

[Chloe Self · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is out of my preferred genre, as part of a book club read I finished kind of out of necessity. I’m not sure I would have chosen to read this on my own, or continued if I hadn’t heard that it was so many people’s favorite book or highly recommended. There was a lot of fluffy language and content, as mother of horror I was hoping for more detail regarding the interaction between Frankenstein and his creature. The story was best once turned to be described by creature, and ultimately I’m very glad I read this book.

[James Thrift · Rating 5 out of 5]

The compelling power of the Frankenstein narrative secures its place as my favorite classic monster tale. This adaptation successfully captures a great tone, but nothing can truly match the raw, complex vision found in Mary Shelley's 1818 text.

[Ewan Cameron McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favourite book, and have read it so many times in the past three and a half years. I just love the story, the characters (especially the Creature), and the themes and the message at the core of the story. I have been dying to read the 1818 version, but have never found a copy.

[Angela]

Not the edition I just read, but I wanted to keep track of the version and I'm too lazy to find the exact one.

Lol Victor literally is the worst. And he's so hot. Most annoying, useless little hot boy out here ruining lives. Justice for Ernest.

[Nathan M]

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