Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (Penguin Classics)

Book Overview: Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (Penguin Classics)

For the bicentennial of its first publication, Mary Shelley’s original 1818 text, introduced by National Book Critics Circle award-winner Charlotte Gordon. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

2018 marks the bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s seminal novel. For the first time, Penguin Classics will publish the original 1818 text, which preserves the hard-hitting and politically-charged aspects of Shelley’s original writing, as well as her unflinching wit and strong female voice. This edition also emphasizes Shelley’s relationship with her mother–trailblazing feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who penned A Vindication of the Rights of Woman–and demonstrates her commitment to carrying forward her mother’s ideals, placing her in the context of a feminist legacy rather than the sole female in the company of male poets, including Percy Shelley and Lord Byron.

This edition includes a new introduction and suggestions for further reading by National Book Critics Circle award-winner and Shelley expert Charlotte Gordon, literary excerpts and reviews selected by Gordon, and a chronology and essay by preeminent Shelley scholar Charles E. Robinson.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,800 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Product Information

ISBN-13
ISBN-10
Publisher
Publication Date
Edition
Language
Pages
Dimensions	N/a
Weight	N/a

Editorial Reviews

“Gordon’s framing is the real standout of the anniversary edition (…) Highly recommended.”
— N. K. Jemisin, The New York Times Book Review

“Frankenstein is as efficient and resonant a reference today as it was in 1818. . . In this bicentennial year, much will be written about Frankenstein, its adaptations, and whether there exists a definitive or superior version of the novel. . . The 1818 Text is reflective of the thrill and nervous energy that ushered in a new era of science and society. . . But part of what makes it a little unsettling is what makes it so interesting: The chance to watch a 200-year-old novel develop. In a story that’s reflected so much of the last two hundred years, and centers so much on choices, storytelling, and the potential for change, it only makes sense that Frankenstein reflects changes within its own creator”
–Genevieve Valentine, NPR

About the Author

Mary Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, born on August 30, 1797, was a powerful force in 19th century literature. Emanating from a line of prominent intellectuals, she was the daughter of philosopher and political writer, William Godwin, and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Unfortunately, her mother passed away shortly after her birth, inevitably casting an influential shadow on her work. Primarily educated by her father, she was ushered into the expansive world of literature and creativity early in life, cultivating a passion for writing that she nurtured into adulthood.

She is most acclaimed for her iconic novel, “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus”, which she penned at the age of 20. This was a groundbreaking work in the genre of Gothic literature, intertwining elements of horror and romance with a profound exploration of the human condition. The timeless tale of a scientist who creates a terrifying creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment has permeated global culture, making her one of the earliest and arguably one of the most influential contributors to science fiction.

Beyond “Frankenstein”, Shelley demonstrated her literary prowess through diverse bodies of work including novels, essays, and travelogues. Her personal life, marred by tragedy including the loss of several children and her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, echoed in her haunting, melancholic themes. Mary Shelley devoted her life to the power of the written word and survived numerous tragedies, leaving a legacy that significantly shifted the landscape of literature. She died on February 1, 1851, but her timeless works continue to resonate with, and inspire, readers worldwide.