‘But these philosophers, whose hands seem only made to dabble in dirt, and their eyes to pore over the microscope or the crucible, have indeed performed miracles.’
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein - P9
The novel, first published in 1818, was to dominate her literary legacy just as the monster dominated the life of his creator, Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein gave Mary fame, if not fortune, and was recognised early on as a classic of English literature. In 1831 it was included in a series of standard English novels and this second publication gave Mary the opportunity to revise and edit her work. It is this later edition that is more widely read, but this book will examine both editions. - P9