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The world’s most famous work of horror fiction: a devastating exploration of the limits of human creativityMary Shelley's timeless gothic novel presents the epic battle between man and monster at its greatest literary pitch. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor to the very brink of madness. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship, scientific hubris, and horror. 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."For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Penguin Classics (2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0141439475
ISBN-13: 978-0141439471
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1,860 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #22,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #76 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Graphic Novels > Science Fiction #278 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Literature #331 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Mythology & Folk Tales
Much like Bram Stoker's "Dracula", Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is a story we all think we know, but really don't. Very few films have consciously attempted to follow the novel too closely (which shouldn't detract from the excellent James Whale/Boris Karloff film, or its masterpiece-sequel, "The Bride of Frankenstein). Thus, everything popular culture "knows" about "Frankenstein" does not originate from literature, but from films. This is a shame, in a way, because the novel itself is, if not the progenitor, an early vessel of so many archetypes found science fiction and horror.The basic plot remained intact when transferred to other media. Swiss medical student Victor Frankenstein discovers the secret of life (which he never reveals, lest someone repeat the mistake). He then puts together a body, essentially a man, from various corpses. He then becomes horrified by the creature he has built, and abandons. The creature, suffering a great deal of neglect and abuse, still manages to get a thorough education, and learns of his lineage. After murdering Victor's younger brother, and framing the family maid, the creature tells his (admittedly) sad tale to his "father", and then demands a mate. Victor, in a panic, agrees, then thinks better of it at the last moment, destroying the new bride. In retaliation, the creature murders all of Victor's loved ones (including his wife), and leads Victor on a merry chase across the world.Most probably know that Mary Shelley wrote this book in response to a challenge issued by Lord Byron, during a vacation at Lake Geneva. (Along with this story came John Polidori's "The Vampyre", the first English vampire novel.) Most probably also know that Shelley went on to write other works of imaginative gothic fiction.
Frankenstein: Or the Modern Prometheus - The 1818 Text Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus Frankenstein: Or the Modern Prometheus Frankenstein and the Critics: Includes unabridged FRANKENSTEIN 1818 American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer Civil Liberties Vs. National Security In A Post 9/11 World (Prometheus's Contemporary Issues) Six Greek Tragedies: Persians; Prometheus Bound; Women of Trachis; Philoctetes; Trojan Women; Bacchae (Classical Dramatists) Prometheus: The Art of the Film Frankenstein Frankenstein: A BabyLit® Anatomy Primer Frankenstein (Signet Classics) Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Signet Classics) Frankenstein (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism) Frankenstein (The Classic Collection) Three Gothic Novels: The Castle of Otranto; Vathek; Frankenstein The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein unknown Edition by Hoobler, Dorothy, Hoobler, Thomas (2007) Frankenstein: Mary Shelley's Wedding Guest (Twayne's Masterwork Studies) (No 126) In Search of Frankenstein Exploring The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Frankenstein (Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companions)
