Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, presented in its original 1818 text, offers a raw and politically-charged narrative that captures the essence of Shelley’s early writing. This edition, part of Penguin Classics’ esteemed series, includes an introduction by National Book Critics Circle award-winner Charlotte Gordon, who delves into the relationship between Mary Shelley and her mother, the trailblazing feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. The book emphasizes Shelley’s commitment to her mother’s ideals, setting her work within a broader feminist legacy rather than relegating it to a male-dominated literary circle that includes Percy Shelley and Lord Byron.

The 288-page text is enriched with additional features such as new introductions and suggestions for further reading by Gordon, who also provides selected literary excerpts and reviews. A chronology and an essay by preeminent Frankenstein scholar Charles E. Robinson add depth to the reader’s understanding of the novel.

Penguin Classics stands as the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, offering authoritative texts enhanced by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors. This edition of Frankenstein, along with its comprehensive supplementary materials, makes it an invaluable addition to any literary collection and a must-read for students and enthusiasts alike.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read, this 1818 text of Shelley’s masterpiece invites readers to explore the originality and power of her writing in its early form.