Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Genres: Classics, Gothic

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!

[Keith Kernes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The age of the novel is clear, but a lot of the ideas are more relevant than ever. I've been reading heavily about artificial intelligence (AI) a lot recently and the risks associated with it, and a bit less recently we have the Covid outbreak from a lab leak. All of these show the risks of out-of-control acts of human hubris. I'm actually a big fan of scientific progress, but abandoning or denying responsibility for the creations seems to be a common theme. This book hit on that point over 200 years ago.
The prose is a bit much and the story is a bit slow which is why I couldn't give it 5 stars. But, Mary Shelley did hit it out of the park with the overall plot.
However, I find Dr. Frankenstein even more horrible not for the creation of the creature, but for his abandonment and treatment of it afterward. He brought a thing into the world and then failed to take responsibility for the results. And only his own suffering mattered to him at several critical junctures of the story.
And I have to admit I much preferred this version of the creature to the traditional movie version. Though I admit I have not yet seen the 2025 Del Toro version, so perhaps he more accurately captures the creature from the novel.
An excellent if aging book that is a worthwhile read.

[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.

[Sarah Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is quite literally nothing I love more than a gothic classic, and I knew within the first few pages that this was going to be such a fun read. I love how so much of the story unfolds through letters or characters recounting their travels/adventures. While dark and depressing, I caught myself laughing or smiling at parts that were so obviously written by a young woman because they described feelings only a 17-year-old girl could know so well. There were moments I had to remind myself I was reading a world-famous classic, not some girl's diary -- but in the best way possible. Mary Shelley remains so authentically herself in her writing, and I absolutely adore her for the bravery it takes to be so transparent and vulnerable at such a scary age of girlhood.
Overall, such a haunting and messy, yet brilliant, story.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally sympathize with the Creature- everything he was, became, and did was a result of Victor’s actions.

Frankenstein wanted the power trip of defying nature. He created this life but had no intention or plans whatsoever for said life. He didn’t even name it.

The only peaceful experience the Creature ever had with a human was old man De Lacey, who was blind. I liked the commentary of humanity in this: that humans are judgmental and cannot see past their perceptions of what we should be. It also carries the idea of innocence- children have no prejudice; they learn them.

This is for sure one of my favorite classics!!

[J.G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected a story about a monster and ended up questioning what actually makes someone human. Shelley gives the Creature everything we associate with humanity intelligence, emotion, longing, rage, cruelty, remorse and somehow makes something impossible feel painfully real. I argued with this book, doubted its narrator, changed my theories, defended the Creature, condemned him, and understood him. By the end, I didn’t need to believe in the science behind his creation. I believed in the humanity within him.

[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.

[lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am not a big fan of letters in books and changing narration dynamically. it was exciting but also hard to read as the language was really eloquent and every scene gave me something to think about so it required deep focus from me. when i had time i really enjoyed diving into frankestein’s dystopian world but on a daily basis i prefer when a book is not so demanding for my thoughts. it was an interesting pick but not my favorite!!

[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.

[Ema Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I really did.
I think it was eye opening and a great conversation starter. I even liked the writing however, something about it dragged a little and it actually took a second attempt for me to finish it (hence the only 3 stars).

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Amber Culbertson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't remember this being so boring when I read it in highschool? I really wanted to like it. But 100 pages and 10 chapters in - couldn't do it.

[María Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ame con todo mi ser el punto de vista de la criatura, ver que todo lo que cometió seguía siendo impulsado por el anhelo que tenía por sentir simpatía, amor y conexión. Y el final, soul crushing.

[Nina Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

For while I destroyed his hopes, I did not satisfy my own desires.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book of its time by a young girl, it is amazing. Some parts were word salady and hard to understand but most books of that time are like that for me.

[Brock · Rating 2.5 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.