Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

by Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft; Gordon, Charlotte

• ISBN13: 9780143131847
• ISBN10: 0143131842
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781524705701
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2018-01-16
• Publisher: RH
• More Book Details

About This Book

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

ISBN: 9780143131847

About This Book

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: The 1818 Text is a seminal novel that has captivated readers for centuries. This edition, published by Penguin Classics, presents the original 1818 text, preserving the hard-hitting and politically charged aspects of Shelley's writing. The book includes a new introduction by Charlotte Gordon, suggestions for further reading, literary excerpts, and reviews selected by Gordon, as well as a chronology and essay by preeminent Shelley scholar Charles E. Robinson.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and educators in literature and English courses at the high school and college levels. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the historical context and literary significance of Mary Shelley's work. The book's original text and scholarly additions make it an essential read for those studying Romantic literature, feminist theory, and the history of science.

History and Editions

The 1818 edition of Frankenstein has been a cornerstone of literary studies for nearly two centuries. This edition is a faithful reproduction of the original text, offering readers a glimpse into the early 19th-century literary landscape. The inclusion of a new introduction and scholarly notes provides context and depth to the narrative, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers.

Author and Other Works

Mary Shelley was a pioneering author in her time, known for her vivid imagination and strong female voice. Frankenstein is her most famous work, but she also wrote other notable novels like Mathilda and Valperga. Shelley's writing often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, reflecting her own experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society.

Key Features

• Original Text: The 1818 edition preserves the original narrative and themes that have made Frankenstein a classic.
• Scholarly Additions: The book includes a new introduction, suggestions for further reading, and scholarly notes that provide context and depth to the narrative.
• Historical Significance: This edition is essential for understanding the historical context of Romantic literature and the early 19th-century scientific and philosophical debates.
• Educational Value: It is a valuable resource for students of literature, particularly those studying Romanticism, feminist theory, and the history of science.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Hardcover: ISBN-13: 9780143131847
• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780143131847 (also available in paperback format)
• E-book: Available through various e-book platforms (please check specific retailers for e-book ISBNs)

Publication Details

• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication Date: August 3, 2018
• Number of Pages: 352 pages
• Language: English
• Item Weight: 0.44 pounds
• Dimensions: 5.00" wide x 7.67" long x 0.71" tall

Other Editions and Formats

While this specific edition is the focus, other editions of Frankenstein are available:

• Other Editions: Various editions exist, including annotated editions and modern translations. These can be found through major book retailers or academic publishers.

Related ISBNs:

• 9780143131847 (Hardcover)
• 9780143131847 (Paperback)

Please note that while other ISBNs may exist for different formats or editions, these specific ISBNs are accurate for the hardcover and paperback formats mentioned above.

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for Frankenstein: The 1818 Text, making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Author Biography

Mary Shelley was born in London in 1797, daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, famous radical writers of the day. In 1814 she met and soon fell in love with the then-unknown Percy Bysshe Shelley. In December 1816, after Shelley’s first wife committed suicide, Mary and Percy married. They lived in Italy from 1818 until 1822, when Shelley drowned, whereupon Mary returned to London to live as a professional writer of novels, stories, and essays until her death in 1851.
 
Charlotte Gordon’s previous publications include Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley (2015), Mistress Bradstreet: The Untold Story of America’s First Poet (2005), and The Woman Who Named God: Abraham’s Dilemma and the Birth of Three Faiths (2009). Romantic Outlaws was the winner of the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography. Currently, she is the distinguished professor of the humanities at Endicott College.
 
Charles E. Robinson, was professor of English at the University of Delaware, frequently lectured on “The Ten Texts of Frankenstein” and edited Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus: The Original Two-Volume Novel of 1816-1817 from the Bodleian Library Manuscripts, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (with Percy Bysshe Shelley) (2008), reprinted in paperback by Vintage Books (2009). His other books included Shelley and Byron: The Snake and Eagle Wreathed in Fight (1976) and an edition of Mary Shelley: Collected Tales and Short Stories, with Original Engravings (1976); The Mary Shelley Reader (1990), coedited with Betty T. Bennett; and an edition of Mary Shelley’s Mythological Dramas: Proserpine and Midas (1992) as well as the two-volume Frankenstein Notebooks (1996).