Frankenstein, a Longman Cultural Edition

This Longman Cultural Edition presents Mary Shelley’s novel alongside materials that reveal its historical and literary background. The volume contains the text of the 1818 version, which serves as the primary narrative foundation for readers seeking the original structure of the story. It also includes the introduction to and a sample revision from the later 1831 version, allowing for direct comparison between the two iterations of the work. Susan J. Wolfson edited this series to place the novel within its cultural and critical contexts, highlighting how Shelley’s family members and friends influenced the text. The book is organized to provide a comprehensive view of the era. It features a chronology that aligns Shelley’s life with key historical events, offering a timeline for understanding the period. A speculative calendar details the novel’s events in the late eighteenth century. New additions include Frankentalk, which gathers selected references from the popular press, and Richard Brinsley Peake’s complete stage adaptation, titled Frankenstein, A Romantic Drama. This edition suits students and scholars interested in Gothic literature and historical context. It may not appeal to casual readers seeking only a straightforward narrative without academic apparatus.