Frankenstein
Back of the Book
Obsessed with creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life with electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear. This chilling gothic tale, begun when Mary Shelley was just nineteen years old, would become the world’s most famous work of horror fiction, and remains a devastating exploration of the limits of human creativity
Based on the third edition of 1831, this Penguin Classics edition, with an introduction and notes by Maurice Hindle, contains all the revisions Mary Shelley made to her story, as well as her 1831 introduction and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s preface to the first edition. It also includes as appendices a select collation of the texts of 1818 and 1831 together with "A Fragment" by Lord Byron and Dr John Polidori’s "The Vampyre: A Tale."
Why You Should Read It
A poignant meditation on what it means to be human and on the nature of compassion, and one of the more digestible classics - it is no secret why Frankenstein remains on modern syllabi. Shelley’s tale continues to find modern molds to fit into and remains relevant as time passes - with the advent of new innovation in technology and the seemingly unending hubris of humanity, a godliness we aspire to, that was Shelley’s primary preoccupation.
Memorable Passage
She died calmly; and her countenance expressed affection even in death. I need not describe the feelings of those whose dearest ties are rent by that most irreparable evil, the void that presents itself to the soul, and the despair that is exhibited on the countenance. It is so long before the mind can persuade itself that she, whom we saw every day, and whose very existence appeared a part of our own, can have departed for ever-that the brightness of a beloved eye can have been extinguished, and the sound of a voice so familiar, and dear to the ear, can be hugged, never more to be heard. These are the reflections of the first days; but when the lapse of time proves the reality of evil, then the actual bitterness of grief commences.
About the Author
Mary Shelley (1797–1851) was an English novelist whose enduring significance rests on her groundbreaking work, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Born to intellectuals Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, Shelley emerged as a literary force during the Romantic era. "Frankenstein," conceived during a summer sojourn with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, became a seminal work in Gothic literature, delving into themes of creation, morality, and the consequences of playing god. Shelley's literary prowess extended beyond this iconic novel, encompassing works like The Last Man and Mathilda. Her life, marked by personal tragedies and intellectual pursuits, makes her a compelling figure in literary history. Mary Shelley is worth knowing not only for her groundbreaking contributions to science fiction and horror but also for her role as a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated literary landscape, leaving an indelible mark on literature and inspiring generations of writers to explore the depths of human nature and ambition.
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