Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

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

[Lynn Gambardella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot! I watch the movie every year around Halloween. What I liked about the book was you really understood the “monster’s” point of view….in the movie the “monster” is uncommunicative and in the book he expresses his feelings. I found myself having more empathy for the “monster” in the book than I do when I watch the movie!
Happy I took the time to read!

[Jessica Fradd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read after many years and forgot just how much I enjoyed this book!

[Abiana Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book after being underwhelmed with the newest film adaptation and wanting to know what the source material really had to offer. It’s safe to say that the book was 10 times better than the film and I’m excited to watch other adaptations to see if they hold up to what Mary Shelley was originally expressing. Such an interesting story about loneliness and the human condition, I love the exploration of both Frankenstein and his monster throughout and the concept of companionship that they both search for and unconventionally find within each other.

I’ve been assigned Frankenstein 3 times in my academic career, and all three times I’ve completely ignored the novel. I didn’t think I would find it interesting or relatable, but I’m glad to say that I was wrong. And I’m equally as glad that I read it on my own time.

[Cata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravillosa y desgarradora lectura. No puedo siquiera sacarme de la cabeza cada escena como si Walton hubiera sido yo misma escuchando la desgarradora historia. Una historia donde refleja la raza humana en imagen y semejanza. Donde Frankenstein no sería sino un adorado por su dulzura y compañía. Sin embargo fue todo lo contrario y más por su creador que no hizo más que estudiar y enfermarse literalmente por cada paso que daba su criatura. Todos somos criaturas. Todos menos Frankenstein.

[Kendall Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always feel silly trying to review classics, what could I say that hasn't already been said? I will say that I was surprised I had never actually read this because of my the love of the films, and found it enjoyable to know the origin of the story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed some parts, other times it felt like a chore. I feel it’s worth reading, but it can feel boring at times. There’s so much unnecessary description of nature, which I understand is standard for Romanticism of this era, but it makes it feel like at times I could just skip a few pages and not miss a thing. Also, not at all scary. No horror, just the horrifically ill Victor Frankenstein who is irrational around his creation and refuses to confront his mistakes until it is far too late.

Though all this is harsh, I definitely enjoyed the part of the story told from the creature’s perspective.

edit: I moved this up to three stars looking back on it after some time, I was just a bit bored towards the ending but overall it was a good experience and I’m glad I read it.