Shelley's suspenseful and intellectually rich gothic tale confronts some of the most important and enduring themes in all of literture--the power of human imagination, the potential hubris of science, the gulf between appearance and essence, the effects of human cruelty, the desire for revenge and the need for forgiveness, and much more. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of the masterpieces of nineteenth-century Gothicism. While stay-ing in the Swiss Alps in 1816 with her lover Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and others, Mary, then eighteen, began to concoct the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and the monster he brings to life by electricity. Written in a time of great personal tragedy, it is a subversive and morbid story warning against the dehumanization of art and the corrupting influence of science. Packed with allusions and literary references, it is also one of the best thrillers ever written. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus was an instant bestseller on publication in 1818. The prototype of the science fiction novel, it has spawned countless imitations and adaptations but retains its original power.
This Modern Library edition includes a new Introduction by Wendy Steiner, the chair of the English department at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Scandal of Pleasure.
Mary Shelley was born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin in 1797 in London. She eloped to France with Shelley, whom she married in 1816. After Frankenstein, she wrote several novels, including Valperga and Falkner, and edited editions of the poetry of Shelley, who had died in 1822. Mary Shelley died in London in 1851.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

The select bibliography by M.K. Joseph is of benefit to our students. --Dr. Darlene J. Alberts, Ohio Dominican College
This has proved ideal for my Freshman class...compact, inexpensive, clearly printed with margins big enough to scribble in! --Hilary Kaplan, University of California and Los Angeles
The best general edition of this classic text in terms of text, notes, and general design. --Barry M. Katz, Stanford University
Indispensable for the study of Shelley's Frankenstein. --Eric Rabkin, University of Michigan
Marilyn Butlers introduction was comprehensive and informative and provided a valuable background for my general intro to lit students. The inclusion of the apprndices was also useful and thought-provoking. --Stephanie Wardrop, Colorado State University


Ranked #24 in Newsweek's Top 50 Books You Should Read to Understand the Way We Live Now

The select bibliography by M.K. Joseph is of benefit to our students. --Dr. Darlene J. Alberts, Ohio Dominican College

This has proved ideal for my Freshman class...compact, inexpensive, clearly printed with margins big enough to scribble in! --Hilary Kaplan, University of California and Los Angeles

The best general edition of this classic text in terms of text, notes, and general design. --Barry M. Katz, Stanford University

Indispensable for the study of Shelley's Frankenstein. --Eric Rabkin, University of Michigan

Marilyn Butlers introduction was comprehensive and informative and provided a valuable background for my general intro to lit students. The inclusion of the apprndices was also useful and thought-provoking. --Stephanie Wardrop, Colorado State University

Ranked #24 in Newsweek's Top 50 Books You Should Read to Understand the Way We Live Now

The select bibliography by M.K. Joseph is of benefit to our students. --Dr. Darlene J. Alberts, Ohio Dominican College

This has proved ideal for my Freshman class...compact, inexpensive, clearly printed with margins big enough to scribble in! --Hilary Kaplan, University of California and Los Angeles

The best general edition of this classic text in terms of text, notes, and general design. --Barry M. Katz, Stanford University

Indispensable for the study of Shelley's Frankenstein. --Eric Rabkin, University of Michigan

Marilyn Butlers introduction was comprehensive and informative and provided a valuable background for my general intro to lit students. The inclusion of the apprndices was also useful and thought-provoking. --Stephanie Wardrop, Colorado State University