Frankenstein
Mary Shelley's 1818 novel about a scientist creating a sapient creature.
This edition presents Mary Shelley's original narrative regarding Victor Frankenstein and his creation. The text examines the aftermath of an unorthodox scientific experiment that results in a sapient being. Shelley started writing when she was eighteen, leading to the first anonymous publication in London on January 1, 1818. Her authorship became public with the second edition in Paris in 1821. The story operates within the gothic tradition, exploring themes of ambition and isolation. It does not provide easy answers but rather presents a complex moral landscape. The narrative structure reveals the psychological toll on both creator and created. This version offers a direct engagement with the source material without modern interpretation.
Shelley began writing at eighteen. The first edition appeared anonymously in London on January 1, 1818. Her name appeared in the second edition published in Paris in 1821. The BBC named it one of 100 Novels That Shaped Our World.
📝 Description: Frankenstein
💎 Our verdict on Frankenstein
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate classic horror and philosophical inquiries into the nature of creation will find this narrative deeply rewarding. It offers a direct engagement with source material that examines the psychological toll on both creator and created without modern interpretation. Those interested in the intersection of science and ethics, or the gothic tradition's exploration of ambition and isolation, will connect with its complex moral landscape. While it may not suit those seeking fast-paced modern thrillers, this enduring literary classic provides a significant historical perspective on speculative fiction that continues to influence contemporary discussions about humanity and responsibility.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
This volume presents Mary Shelley's original narrative regarding Victor Frankenstein and his creation, operating firmly within the gothic tradition. It examines the aftermath of an unorthodox scientific experiment resulting in a sapient being, revealing the psychological toll on both parties. The text avoids easy answers, instead presenting a complex moral landscape that demands careful reading. It suits readers who enjoy classic horror and philosophical questions about creation rather than those seeking immediate thrills. By allowing direct engagement with the source material in a modern format, it preserves the story's foundational role in speculative fiction. This edition is ideal for those wishing to understand the origins of cosmic and psychological horror themes in literature.
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📖 From the series “Collins Classics”
✍️ More books by this author Mary Shelley
🏛 Books from this publisher William Collins
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