🏚️ Gothic

The Tale Book: Second Series (1835)

✍️ Mary Shelley
Reader Score
4.5
(4 reviews)
$37.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A facsimile reprint of Mary Shelley's 1835 Gothic short story collection.

The edition focuses on preservation rather than restoration. It maintains the physical characteristics of the 1835 original, allowing readers to observe the material history of the text. The publisher’s commitment ensures that rare literary works remain accessible without altering their historical integrity. This approach respects the artifact nature of the book while providing a durable copy for modern libraries and personal collections.

Key Themes
Gothic fiction supernatural tales antiquarian literature
Literary Context

Published in 1835, this work sits within the early Romantic period of English literature. It reflects the Gothic tradition that influenced later horror genres. The 2010 reprint by Kessinger Publishing addresses the need for preserving such culturally significant texts from the nineteenth century.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Bram Stoker · Edgar Allan Poe · Sheridan Le Fanu
🏚️
Gothic
🏛 Kessinger Publishing 📅 2010 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781165809318

📝 Description: The Tale Book: Second Series (1835)

This volume presents a facsimile reprint of Mary Shelley’s Second Series of The Tale Book, originally published in 1835. Kessinger Publishing released this modern edition in September 2010 to preserve culturally important literature for contemporary readers. The text remains true to the original work while offering an affordable format for those interested in early nineteenth-century Gothic and supernatural fiction. The book contains imperfections inherent to its age, including marks, notations, marginalia, and flawed pages. These features provide a tangible connection to the historical period when Shelley wrote. Readers seeking pristine copies may find these artifacts distracting. However, scholars and collectors of rare antiquarian texts will appreciate the fidelity to the source material. Mary Shelley qualifies as a central figure in Gothic literature through her original contributions to the genre. This collection appeals to readers who value historical accuracy and primary sources over polished modern prose. It suits those studying the evolution of horror narratives or examining Shelley’s lesser-known works. Individuals expecting a clean, error-free reading experience might prefer newer editions.

💎 Our verdict on The Tale Book: Second Series (1835)

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Kessinger Publishing’s 2010 release offers a culturally important preservation of Shelley’s Second Series, prioritizing historical fidelity over aesthetic restoration. This volume is strictly for those interested in early nineteenth-century Gothic fiction and the material history of the text. It does not suit readers seeking pristine copies or a clean, error-free reading experience, as it retains inherent age-related imperfections such as marginalia and flawed pages. While valuable for its durable format and affordability, the presence of these artifacts may distract those expecting modern editorial standards. It is a niche product designed for academic study and historical appreciation rather than casual entertainment.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This edition is essential for scholars, collectors of rare antiquarian texts, and readers who value historical accuracy and primary sources over polished modern prose. It provides a tangible connection to the historical period when Shelley wrote, allowing observers to study the evolution of horror narratives through her original contributions. The facsimile approach respects the artifact nature of the book, maintaining physical characteristics like marks, notations, marginalia, and flawed pages. This fidelity ensures that rare literary works remain accessible without altering their historical integrity. It is ideal for those examining Shelley’s work or studying early Gothic literature, offering a durable copy for modern libraries and personal collections who appreciate the unaltered texture of nineteenth-century publishing.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —
⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
This volume is ideal for Gothic historians and archival collectors who value authentic primary sources over modern polish. It is not for casual readers seeking seamless narratives; those expecting a pristine, unblemished text will find the historical artifacts and original formatting deeply…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 4 reviews
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2
4
2
3
0
2
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1
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M
Matthew F.
September 3, 2026
Read it in one night

Took a chance on it after reading the description here. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one.

D
Daniel L.
April 8, 2026
Worth the read

This has been on my wishlist for months. It pairs well with the classics it is clearly in conversation with. Solid, if not essential.

A
Amanda F.
October 26, 2025
Kept me up

Grabbed it for a long flight. Slow burn, but the burn is the point.

❓ Frequently asked questions

These facsimile editions retain original marginalia and defects to preserve historical integrity. If you require a clean, modern typeset for pure entertainment, this scholarly reprint may not suit your needs.
While lesser-known than her masterpiece, these tales demonstrate Shelley’s consistent thematic interests in the uncanny and psychological dread, offering valuable context for understanding her broader contribution to Gothic literature.

📖 Who should read this

This volume is ideal for Gothic historians and archival collectors who value authentic primary sources over modern polish. It is not for casual readers seeking seamless narratives; those expecting a pristine, unblemished text will find the historical artifacts and original formatting deeply distracting.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the twilight of Romanticism, this 1835 collection captures Mary Shelley’s early engagement with the supernatural before her monumental fame. It bridges the gap between gothic romances and modern horror, showcasing her distinct voice in shaping genre conventions during a pivotal era of literary evolution.

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