Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (Penguin Classics)

&&LDIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LI&&RFrankenstein&&L/I&&R, by &&LSTRONG&&RMary Shelley&&L/B&&R, is part of the &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R&&LI&&R &&L/I&&Rseries, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R: &&LDIV&&R

New introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars
Biographies of the authors
Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events
Footnotes and endnotes
Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work
Comments by other famous authors
Study questions to challenge the readers viewpoints and expectations
Bibliographies for further reading
Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate

All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics &&L/I&&Rpulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each readers understanding of these enduring works.&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R&&L/P&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R&&LB&&RMary Shelley&&L/B&&R began writing &&LI&&RFrankenstein&&L/I&&R when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, &&LI&&RFrankenstein&&L/I&&R tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering "the cause of generation and life" and "bestowing animation upon lifeless matter," Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.&&LBR&&R&&LBR&&R&&LI&&RFrankenstein&&L/I&&R, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises rofound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever. &&LBR&&R&&LBR&&R&&L/P&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R&&LB&&RKaren Karbiener &&L/B&&Rreceived a Ph.D. from Columbia University and currently teaches literature at New York University.&&L/P&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&L/B&&R&&L/B&&R

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Published Jan 30, 2005

286 pages

Average rating: 7.7

1,128 RATINGS

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Readers say this 1818 edition of Frankenstein offers elegant prose and deep philosophical themes that remain relevant today. Many appreciate its explo...

TheBookishMind

Jan 13, 2026

10/10 stars

Hard to read because of English being my second language. But awesome book.

Thriller Crush

Jan 12, 2026

10/10 stars

This scientist thinks of everything, doesn't he? He sews up all the dead body parts, he puts all the organs in the right place and uses an electrical lighting bolt from a storm to bring his formation to life. Except he forgets one important thing, he never stops to think of the responsibility that accompanies giving life. Being human is already lonely. If Victor Frankenstein had put 'pause' on his selfish scientific achievements to reach out to his creation then things would have gone differently. Victor wants to create life but instead destroys it. His experimental invention results in the destruction of many lives. Knowing how to make a heart beat doesn't mean that you understand humanity. All his creation needed was a little guidance and a word of encouragement but there was no one anywhere across the world to grant him such kindness. The true monsters are revealed.

Maria Morgan

Jan 10, 2026

9/10 stars

Considering that this was written by a young woman, and it is the first science fiction book written by anyone, it should be read by everyone! Great imagination! Loved how she made it about society’s non-acceptance of a good person.

wheretheheckismyjello

Nov 19, 2025

9/10 stars

If you have a God complex and/or Daddy issues, then this is the book for you!!! Mary Shelley wrote the scariest story known to mankind, which is basically what happens when a man invents something highly destructive and then regrets it, but it's way too late and it bites him -- but mostly OTHER PEOPLE -- in the ass (also see: the nuclear bomb). Really, the story of Pandora's Box was probably about a man. Great work, Mary. I've also done really destructive things to get my father's attention, so this book was very relatable.

JJM

Oct 19, 2025

8/10 stars

Host: McAfees I enjoyed this book. Much more poetic than I thought it would be and does not really align with the pop culture notion of who Frankenstien is today.