Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (Penguin Classics)

I first read Frankenstein in my mid-twenties one-hundred years ago. I read the Bantam edition and I don't remember if that was the 1818 version or the 1831 revised version. It's fun to read the originally published version because I think it's the truest thing to Mary Shelley's original concept, before the backlash of critics when she then felt she had to alter some of the stories and add things to please the conservative minds that might have deemed many of her concepts as amoral. So this version by Penguin Classics stating which version it is is nice. On that note, I must say that I wish, and this is just a nit-picky thing, that Penguin Classics would up the size of their font just a little. With this new edition and new artwork on the cover, I was hoping to see a new and improved font size, but no. Or, if it is, it's still very small to me. Beyond the font size, I will say, that this version has a lot of wonderful extras to it. Not only does it come with Charlotte Gordon's introduction, but also an essay by Charles E. Robinson on how one should read a novel like Frankenstein (as it tackles many vast subjects), then there's Mary's Shelley's introduction to the 1831 version, excerpts from The King James Bible, Genisis and the Creation of Eve, a poem by Lord Byron, a letter from Mary Shelley, excerpts from Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft's book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, and an entry from Shelley's diary. All in all, it's a wonderful addition to one of the greatest novels ever written! Do I wish that the font was more reader-friendly? Yes, but beyond that, it's a great deal for the price and it's a book that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. The themes and story still hold up today. And the Penguin Classics edition has a lot of wonderful extra material for you to enjoy.

If all you know is the "modern" depictions of Frankenstein - this original will surprise you. The characters are developed well with one being able to see their comlexities - you see the the good, the not so good, thier personal struggles, and thier triumphs. A book not to be passed over.

All my life I thought the movie was the book. Nothing like the movies. This book is amazing and to think that Mary wrote this as a young woman and before all this technology we have today This is a master piece!

A masterpiece and a must-read for any literature enthusiast. This edition preserves Mary Shelley’s original vision, offering a raw and thought-provoking exploration of humanity, ambition, and morality. The introduction and notes are incredibly insightful, enriching the reading experience with historical and literary context. The quality of the book itself is excellent, with a durable cover and clear, well-formatted text. Highly recommend for anyone looking to dive into one of the most iconic novels of all time

This is a Penguin Classics edition from 2018, which has a bare penguin as a logo, instead of the classic logo with the penguin inside an orange oval.

Bought for school. Served its purpose. Good price.

Excellent classical novel. Good AP literature class reading. Highly recommend.

I really liked the product and it has good quality and is very useful.

Great audio book. Really helpful when teaching text.

Great storytelling, pacing, and atmospheric writing. Deservedly a classic!

Opera fondamentale nella letteratura romantica inglese

Leí la traducción de la edición de los 1830 hace 20 años, y este año, para conmemorar el 200 aniversario de su publicación, leí la versión original. No puedo afirmar cuál de las dos versiones es superior, mi memoria no es tan buena para recordar detalles de hace dos décadas (ni siquiera de hace dos semanas), lo que sí puedo decir es que esta segunda lectura me hizo llorar igual que la primera lectura... bueno, esta vez no tanto porque iba en el metro y hay que fingir que uno es un hombre rudo y malo para que no te empujen tanto. Absolutamente recomendable.

Good