Frankenstein: The Definitive 1831 Edition of the Gothic Horror Classic

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

155 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 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

[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!

[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.

[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.

[Kristin Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was less of a horror story and more about what it means to be human. It was well written , dark, and disturbing. Not what I expected, certainly not what I needed this summer, but I’m glad I read it.

[Nathan M]

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

[F Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Men should do some actual self reflection once in a while.

[Abbi · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

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.