🏚️ Gothic

Frankenstein Thrift Study Edition (Study)

✍️ Mary Shelley
Reader Score
4.2
(7 reviews)
$10.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Dover edition of Shelley's novel with a complete study guide and examinations.

Mary Shelley wrote this story when she was eighteen years old. The first edition came out anonymously in London on January 1, 1818. Victor Frankenstein serves as the central character, a scientist whose experiments result in a sapient creature. The Dover publication combines the full text with educational resources. These resources include summaries of each chapter and explanations of plot points. Historical background information helps place the work in its proper context. The guide also features questions for review and biographical details about Shelley herself. This structure supports readers who need to analyze the novel for academic purposes. It is not designed for casual reading alone. The ISBN is 9780486475820. The book contains 240 pages. It addresses subjects like fictional scientists and monsters.

Key Themes
Frankenstein fiction Mary Shelley biography Scientists in fiction
Literary Context

Shelley started writing the story when she was 18. The first edition was published anonymously in London on January 1, 1818. Her name first appeared in the second edition, which was published in Paris in 1821. This work sits within the tradition of gothic and supernatural fiction.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Bram Stoker · H.P. Lovecraft
🏚️
Gothic
🏛 Dover Publications 📅 2009 📖 223 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780486475820
📚 This Book in Collections

📝 Description: Frankenstein Thrift Study Edition (Study)

This Dover Thrift Study Edition presents Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel alongside a comprehensive study guide. The text remains unabridged, preserving the original narrative of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature through unorthodox methods. Shelley began writing at age eighteen, with the first anonymous edition appearing in London on January 1, 1818. Her name appeared later in the Parisian second edition published in 1821. The accompanying study materials offer chapter-by-chapter summaries and discussions of the plot. Readers will find question-and-answer sections designed to test comprehension, along with an author biography and historical background context. The guide also includes examinations related to Shelley’s work and fictional subjects such as scientists and monsters. This volume serves students and scholars seeking academic support for Shelley’s classic tale. The book suits those analyzing the origins of gothic fiction or tracking the development of monster narratives in literature. It may not appeal to readers seeking only the narrative without analytical aids. The inclusion of examination materials makes it particularly useful for coursework. The text begins with the line, July 24: Write my story. This edition provides both the primary source and the tools required for deeper understanding of Shelley’s contributions to supernatural fiction.

💎 Our verdict on Frankenstein Thrift Study Edition (Study)

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
This Dover Thrift Study Edition serves as a robust academic companion rather than a pure literary escape. It combines Mary Shelley’s original narrative with extensive supplementary materials, including summaries, questions, and historical context, which are essential for students analyzing the novel’s themes of scientific experimentation and creation. While the inclusion of examinations supports deeper understanding of Shelley’s contributions to supernatural fiction, it may alienate readers seeking only the story. The text begins with a direct address to the reader, setting a tone of urgent confession. It is an excellent resource for coursework but lacks the immersive quality desired by those who prefer unadulterated narrative experiences without pedagogical interruptions or structural aids.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This edition is specifically designed for students and scholars who require academic support to analyze Shelley’s classic tale effectively. It provides the unabridged primary text alongside comprehensive educational resources, including chapter-by-chapter summaries, plot explanations, and historical background. The inclusion of review questions and examinations makes it an indispensable tool for coursework or literary analysis. Readers seeking to understand the origins of gothic fiction or track the development of monster narratives will find the biographical details and contextual guides invaluable. However, this volume is not intended for casual readers who wish to experience the narrative without analytical aids or study materials.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —
⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
This volume is ideal for literature students and academics requiring rigorous textual analysis alongside the unabridged classic. It serves those dissecting Gothic tropes or tracking monster mythos evolution. However, casual readers seeking pure narrative immersion without academic interruptions…

Reader rating

4.2
Based on 7 reviews
5
2
4
3
3
2
2
0
1
0
S
Simon T.
May 13, 2026

Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. If you like this kind of cooking, don't hesitate.

C
Carol D.
May 17, 2026

Arrived quickly and well packaged. Read it in two sittings; the second one ran past midnight. The font runs small in this edition. Still worth having on the shelf.

B
Brian N.
September 6, 2025

Finally got around to ordering this. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. Print is comfortable for late-night reading. The font runs small in this edition. Still worth having on the shelf.

B
Beth K.
June 13, 2025
Mixed feelings

Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. Slow burn, but the burn is the point. Read it in two sittings; the second one ran past midnight.

R
Rosa E.
June 8, 2025
Worth the read

Grabbed it for a long flight. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. Slow burn, but the burn is the point.

L
Liam R.
April 15, 2025

Wanted something for October and it delivered. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. It is the kind of horror that rewards reading with the lights on. Great value for what you get.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, the unabridged original narrative is preserved in full. You will find the complete story of Victor Frankenstein alongside the supplementary study materials, ensuring you have access to the authentic 1818 text.
It is specifically designed for academic use. While the story remains engaging, the inclusion of chapter summaries, comprehension questions, and historical context makes it less suitable for those seeking an uninterrupted literary experience.

📖 Who should read this

This volume is ideal for literature students and academics requiring rigorous textual analysis alongside the unabridged classic. It serves those dissecting Gothic tropes or tracking monster mythos evolution. However, casual readers seeking pure narrative immersion without academic interruptions will find the study aids intrusive.

📜 Historical context

Published anonymously in London in 1818, this text anchors the entire horror genre. Shelley’s debut work birthed the modern science fiction and Gothic tradition, challenging Enlightenment ideals through Victor’s hubris. This Dover edition preserves that foundational narrative while providing the scholarly apparatus necessary to understand its profound impact on subsequent monster literature and philosophical discourse regarding creation.

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