🏚️ Gothic −27%

Tales and Stories Now First Collected

✍️ Mary Shelley
Reader Score
4.5
(5 reviews)
$26.04 $36.00 Save $9.96 (27%)
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A clean, retyped collection of Mary Shelley's lesser-known Gothic tales.

Alpha Edition has produced a new version of Mary Shelley’s collected short fiction. The primary goal is preservation through modernization. The publisher chose to retype the text rather than scan the original pages. This method eliminates the noise and artifacts common in digital facsimiles. Readers receive crisp, legible prose that honors the source material while meeting contemporary standards for readability. The book contains no new introductions or commentary. It simply presents the stories as they were written, organized for easy consumption. This edition appeals to fans of early horror who prefer a clean reading experience over historical reproduction.

Key Themes
Gothic fiction supernatural narratives classical literature
Literary Context

This 2023 publication by Alpha Edition reissues Mary Shelley’s classical tales. It positions her early Gothic works for contemporary audiences. The release date marks a modern effort to keep these stories accessible. The ISBN identifies this specific physical format.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Bram Stoker · Ann Radcliffe · Edgar Allan Poe · Colin Wilson
🏚️
Gothic
🏛 Alpha Edition 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9789357916622

📝 Description: Tales and Stories Now First Collected

This volume gathers a collection of tales and stories by Mary Shelley, presenting them in a single accessible format. The publisher, Alpha Edition, has undertaken significant work to preserve these classical texts for modern readers. Rather than relying on scanned images of the original pages, the team reformedatted and retyped the entire content. This approach ensures that the text remains clear and readable for present and future generations who wish to engage with this historical material. The book stands as a practical tool for those interested in Gothic fiction and supernatural narratives without the visual clutter often associated with digital reproductions of old manuscripts. The edition was released on September 20, 2023, under the ISBN 9789357916622. It targets readers who appreciate the foundational works of horror literature and wish to own a clean, modern version of Shelley’s lesser-known prose. Those seeking scholarly annotations or critical essays will find this volume lacks such supplementary material. The focus remains strictly on the narrative content itself, presented in a straightforward manner. This format suits collectors and casual readers alike who value legibility over historical artifact aesthetics.

💎 Our verdict on Tales and Stories Now First Collected

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Alpha Edition delivers a utilitarian reprint that strips away the visual noise of digital facsimiles, offering instead a crisp, retyped text focused solely on Shelley’s prose. This approach benefits readers seeking clarity and ease of consumption in Gothic tales. However, this volume does NOT suit scholars or enthusiasts seeking critical apparatus, historical context, or annotated editions. It lacks introductions and commentary, making it unsuitable for academic study. While the retyping ensures modern readability, purists may find the absence of original typographical quirks reduces the sense of historical immersion. It is a practical tool for enjoyment rather than research, targeting those who want the story without the scholarly baggage.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This edition is specifically designed for readers who appreciate the foundational works of horror literature but prefer a clean, modern reading experience over historical reproduction artifacts. By retyping the text rather than scanning original pages, Alpha Edition eliminates visual clutter and digital noise, ensuring crisp legibility that honors the source material while meeting contemporary standards. It appeals to both collectors and casual fans of Gothic fiction who value accessibility without the burden of scholarly annotations or critical essays. Those seeking a straightforward engagement with Shelley’s supernatural narratives will find this format ideal, as it prioritizes narrative flow and readability over historical artifact aesthetics.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —
⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
Buyers craving unadulterated Gothic atmosphere will adore this. It is ideal for Shelley fans wanting clean text. However, scholars seeking critical essays or annotated footnotes should look elsewhere, as this volume prioritizes narrative purity over academic apparatus.

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 5 reviews
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A
Amanda N.
August 13, 2026
Exactly as described

Not my usual subgenre but wanted to branch out. The prose is clean and the scares land because the characters feel real.

S
Steven M.
August 14, 2026
Good addition to the shelf

Took a chance on it after reading the description here. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not. It assumes some familiarity with the genre's tropes. Solid, if not essential.

D
Daniel R.
March 25, 2026
Good addition to the shelf

Got it as a gift for a friend who loves the genre. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. Good, with the caveats above.

S
Simon R.
October 12, 2025
A modern classic

Arrived quickly and well packaged. It is the kind of horror that rewards reading with the lights on. Highly recommend.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this edition focuses strictly on the narrative content without supplementary scholarly material or essays.
Yes, the publisher has retyped the work to ensure clarity and legibility for modern readers.

📖 Who should read this

Buyers craving unadulterated Gothic atmosphere will adore this. It is ideal for Shelley fans wanting clean text. However, scholars seeking critical essays or annotated footnotes should look elsewhere, as this volume prioritizes narrative purity over academic apparatus.

📜 Historical context

This collection occupies a vital space in the genealogy of horror, bridging Romantic sensibilities with emerging Gothic traditions. By presenting Shelley’s lesser-known prose alongside her fame, it highlights how early supernatural fiction evolved from folklore into psychological terror. This edition preserves the raw emotional intensity that defined the genre before modern conventions took hold.

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