The Original Frankenstein: A Vintage Classics Book by Mary Shelley

The Original Frankenstein: A Vintage Classics Book by Mary Shelley

Working from the earliest surviving draft of Frankenstein, Charles E. Robinson presents two versions of the classic novel—as Mary Shelley originally wrote it and a subsequent version clearly indicating Percy Shelley’s amendments and contributions. For the first time, we can hear Mary’s sole voice, which is colloquial, fast-paced, and sounds more modern to a contemporary reader.

An Unprecedented Look at a Classic

This unique edition allows readers to see for the first time the true extent of Percy Shelley’s contribution—some 5,000 words out of 72,000—and his stylistic and thematic changes. His occasionally florid prose is in marked contrast to the directness of Mary’s writing. Interesting, too, are Percy’s suggestions, which humanize the monster, thus shaping many of the major themes of the novel as we read it today. In these two versions of Frankenstein, we have an exciting new view of one of literature’s greatest works.