Frankenstein

Frankenstein remains a landmark of literary innovation, and this Norton Critical Edition—titled The 1818 Text, Contexts, Criticism—brings Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's groundbreaking novel into fresh focus for today’s readers. Based on the original 1818 text originally issued in three volumes, this edition revitalizes the classic with an extensive new preface, detailed annotations, and a rich array of interpretive materials that explore the text’s historical and cultural dimensions. This volume offers an insightful framework for understanding Frankenstein’s lasting impact. With sections dedicated to examining the circumstances of its creation, its reception and evolution through time, and thoughtful considerations of its influences, the edition invites readers to engage with the novel on multiple levels. Scholarly essays, illustrative materials, and comparative excerpts complement Shelley's narrative, making this edition an invaluable resource for both students and literary enthusiasts alike.