-17% 🏆 Bestseller Tales and Stories — Gothic

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Tales and Stories

Name: Tales and Stories
Price: 13.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781513271453

✍️ Mary Shelley

Reader Score

4.6

(7 reviews)

$13.99 ~~$17.00~~ Save $3.01 (17%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Mary Shelley's collection of short fiction featuring Napoleonic War tales and tragic narratives.

This volume gathers disparate short stories by Mary Shelley into one accessible format. Mint Editions released this edition in February 2021 for readers seeking her lesser known works. The content includes a frame narrative set on an Italian lake involving a Countess. It also contains accounts of the Napoleonic Wars told through a storyteller during peacetime. The book does not focus on Frankenstein but rather on historical and personal drama. This approach highlights Shelley's range in handling different genres. Readers looking for a break from her most famous work will find this collection refreshing. It provides context for her broader literary output. The ISBN 9781513271453 identifies this specific printing.

Key Themes

Napoleonic Wars tragic tales Italian lake setting

Literary Context

The book sits in the early nineteenth century literary tradition. It draws on the period of the Napoleonic Wars for its historical backdrop. The setting includes an Italian lake and a time of peace. This context places the work firmly in Shelley's era of romanticism and historical reflection.

Mary Shelley

📚 all books by this author (292) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Jane Austen · Edgar Allan Poe · Bram Stoker · The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis

🏚️

Gothic

🏛 Mint Editions 📅 2021 📖 292 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781513271453

📚 This Book in Collections

📚 Horror Anthologies & Story Collections 👹 Monsters & Creature Features 📜 Classic Horror Novels

📝 Description: Tales and Stories

Tales and Stories is a collection of short fiction by Mary Shelley. The volume opens with a scene on an Italian lake where a group watches the sunset. A narrator begins speaking with a beautiful Countess who shares a tragic tale. This frame story sets the stage for the rest of the work. The collection shifts focus to the violent and thrilling days of the Napoleonic Wars. A storyteller recounts these events during a time of peace. The book gathers these varied pieces into a single volume published by Mint Editions in 2021. Readers will find Shelley’s distinct voice applied to historical conflict and personal tragedy rather than just Gothic monsters. This compilation offers a look at her versatility as a writer beyond the standard expectations of horror fans. It suits those interested in early nineteenth century literature and Napoleonic history. It may not satisfy readers seeking only supernatural creatures or modern jump scares. The text relies on the specific interactions between characters like the Countess and the narrator to drive the plot forward.

💎 Our verdict on Tales and Stories

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This volume is a compelling study in versatility, showcasing Shelley’s range beyond supernatural horror. The frame narrative on the Italian lake provides a sophisticated entry point into tales of tragic personal drama and historical violence. However, it does not suit readers seeking modern jump scares or traditional Gothic monsters. Those expecting pure horror fiction may find the focus on historical conflict and character interaction too subtle or dry. It is best appreciated by those who value literary context and early nineteenth-century prose style over fast-paced terror. The collection is a necessary piece for understanding Shelley’s full artistic scope, even if it lacks the visceral thrills of her more famous novel.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a departure from the standard Frankenstein narrative will find this collection refreshing and insightful. It is ideal for those interested in early nineteenth-century literature who wish to understand Mary Shelley’s broader literary output and her ability to handle diverse genres. The volume offers a unique perspective on historical conflict and personal tragedy through distinct character interactions, such as the Countess and the narrator. Those fascinated by Napoleonic War tales or Gothic frame narratives will appreciate the accessible format provided by Mint Editions. It serves as an excellent companion for scholars and fans alike who want to explore her lesser-known works without the weight of her most famous creation.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

You will love this if you admire early nineteenth-century literary nuances, Napoleonic history, or Shelley’s lesser-known narrative versatility. However, those craving iconic monsters like Frankenstein’s creature or expecting modern supernatural jump scares will likely find this collection…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 7 reviews

Laura C.

February 23, 2026

Excellent find

Bought this for my brother and ended up reading it first. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. Shipping was quick too.

Ashley J.

December 13, 2025

A modern classic

Added this to the shelf next to the ones I reread. The monster is scarier for how little you see of it. Shipping was quick too.

Beth N.

August 13, 2025

Exactly as described

Not my usual subgenre but wanted to branch out. The audiobook crowd will want the paper copy for the margins. Definitely recommend.

James V.

August 5, 2025

Excellent find

Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. Print is comfortable for late-night reading. Well worth it.

Sofia K.

May 26, 2025

Chilling

Been meaning to get this one for a while. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. If you like this kind of cooking, don't hesitate.

Victor W.

April 14, 2025

Been meaning to get this one for a while. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. The font runs small in this edition. Still worth having on the shelf.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Not exactly. While deeply unsettling, these stories focus on historical trauma and interpersonal tragedy during the Napoleonic era rather than monsters or ghosts, offering a more subtle, psychological approach to dark themes.

This recent release aims to rectify the oversight of Shelley’s short fiction, presenting her versatile voice in high-quality paperbacks to help modern readers appreciate her range beyond the shadow of Frankenstein.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Mary Shelley transcends her monolithic reputation as the mother of science fiction by revealing her mastery of human drama within historical upheaval. This Mint Editions compilation highlights her ability to weave personal tragedy against the violent backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, utilizing frame narratives that prioritize psychological depth over Gothic spectacle. It stands as a testament to Regency-era literary exploration, showcasing how early nineteenth-century authors used contemporary conflict to examine the fragility of the human spirit rather than relying on supernatural terrors.