Frankenstein

Reprint of the 1818 Edition in one Volume. This is the Fourth Volume in a new series of student-focused reprints of the world's most iconic books being rolled out by Martino Fine Books in 2026. This series presents classic and foundational texts in a clean, double-column layout designed for maximum readability. Carefully reformatted for today's university students, these editions reduce eye strain, improve navigation, and deliver exceptional value - making essential reading both accessible and affordable. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who becomes obsessed with creating life. Driven by curiosity and ambition, he assembles a being from corpses and brings it to life, setting in motion a chain of events he cannot control.At first, Victor is horrified by his creation, abandoning the creature to face the world alone. Rejected and isolated, the creature struggles with its own identity, experiencing pain, loneliness, and anger at the way humans respond to it.The novel explores the consequences of unchecked ambition, the responsibilities of creation, and the moral limits of scientific pursuit. It raises questions about what it means to be human and the impact of isolation on both creator and creation.As Victor and his creation confront each other, Shelley examines themes of revenge, compassion, and the destructive potential of obsession. Frankenstein remains a powerful and enduring story about human ambition and the ethical limits of knowledge.

Mary Shelley, born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (1797-1851), was the daughter of philosopher and political writer William Godwin and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft (The Vindication of the Rights of Woman). Mary Shelley had a painful and turbulent life. Her mother died shortly after giving birth. Mary ran away with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, a married student of her father's, which resulted in alienation from her family and scandal. The couple traveled throughout Europe and lost their first child in 1815. Then, Mary's half-sister committed suicide, followed shortly thereafter by Percy's wife Harriett. This unfortunate circumstance allowed Percy and Mary to be wed in 1816. Percy Shelley drowned while sailing in 1822, leaving Mary as a young widow and mother. Mary Shelley is renowned for Frankenstein, but she also wrote additional novels, working to support her son and keeping her husband's legacy alive. She died of brain cancer in 1851.