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Frankenstein
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Frankenstein Mass market paperbound - 2001

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley


About this book

Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus is a Gothic novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818. The story revolves around Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a monstrous creature and immediately regrets his actions, abandoning the creature to its own devices. The creature, seeking acceptance and revenge, terrorizes Victor and those he loves. Themes of ambition, ethics, humanity, and loneliness are explored through Shelley's vivid descriptions of the natural world and her characters' psychological torment. Frankenstein remains a classic of Gothic literature and a seminal work of science fiction.

Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin wrote the first draft of her groundbreaking novel in 1816, while on a trip to Lake Geneva with her soon-to-be husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and poet Lord Byron. They were stuck indoors during famously known as the Year Without a Summer.




From the publisher

Mary Shelley conceived of her Gothic masterpiece "Frankenstein" on a visit to Switzerland in 1816. The country gave her a setting, and her companions, husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and their friend Lord Byron, sparked her imagination with philosophical discussions about the reanimation of the dead. When poor weather kept them housebound, they devised a story-writing contest -- and Mary set out to create a tale "to make the reader dread to look around, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart." The story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who oversteps the bounds of conscience, and the monster he creates, was a bestseller in its day -- and remains one of the most spellbinding novels of all time.

Washington Square Press' Enriched Classics present the great works of world literature enhanced for the contemporary reader. This edition of "Frankenstein" was prepared by Anne K. Mellor, professor of English and women's studies at the University of California in Los Angeles. It includes an introduction, a selection of critical excerpts, suggestions for further reading, and a unique visual essay of drawings and photographs.

First Edition Identification

A small London publishing house, Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, first printed Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus in a limited series of just 500 copies on January 1, 1818. By then, Mary was just 20 years old. The first edition was published anonymously in 1818, with a preface by Percy B. Shelley and a dedication to Mary’s father, philosopher William Godwin. Mary Shelley didn’t publicly claim her novel until years later, and her name appears in the second edition, published in 1823. First edition original pasteboards were in blueish gray.

First editions are very scarce and exceptionally rare on the market. In 2021 one of the first 500 copies of the novel was sold at auction for $1.17 million. It was the first Frankenstein first edition copy to be auctioned since 1985.


Details

  • Title Frankenstein
  • Author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
  • Binding Mass Market Paperbound
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 279
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Simon & Schuster, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 2001-06
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780671531508 / 0671531506
  • Weight 0.35 lbs (0.16 kg)
  • Dimensions 6.83 x 4.19 x 0.89 in (17.35 x 10.64 x 2.26 cm)
  • Reading level 1040
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 99174691
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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Frankenstein (Enriched Classics (Washington Square))
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Frankenstein (Enriched Classics (Washington Square))

by Mary Shelley

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Frankenstein
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Frankenstein

by Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671531508 / 0671531506
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Simon & Schuster, 2001. Mass Market Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Frankenstein (Enriched Classics Series)
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Frankenstein (Enriched Classics Series)

by Shelley, Mary

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Simon & Schuster, 2001-06-26. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good. Prompt shipment, with tracking. we ship in CLEAN SECURE NEW boxes Used book. Very good, some creasing.
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Frankenstein (Enriched Classics Series)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Frankenstein (Enriched Classics Series)

by Shelley, Mary

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671531508 / 0671531506
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Simon & Schuster, 2001-06-26. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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