Happy Birthday to Mary Shelley’s Monster!

It’s still alive!

Frankenstein was first published 200 years ago in 1818 by Mary Shelley. In Frankenstein, she explores themes of responsibility and the importance of acceptance and empathy. She also explores the controls placed upon women and a justice system that is unfair to the working class. The novel lacks the staggering monster, the character of Igor, and the cry of “It’s alive!”

Frankenstein
A | BN | K | AB
Instead, it has a monster who teaches himself to speak and to read, and who pursues revenge against the scientist (Victor Frankenstein) who abandoned him. Today, this story about scary science, social injustice, and fear of the ‘other’ is more relevant than ever.

Because of the 200th anniversary, there’s a lot of buzz about Frankenstein and it can be confusing with so many editions to choose from, not to mention the movie adaptations. Here, Dear Bitches, is my guide for you to the wonderful world of Mary Shelley! Just choose the quote that best describes your point of view:

“I never got around to reading Frankenstein and now there are like 500 versions of it and I’m so confused.”

Fear not! I am here for you! The first version of Frankenstein was published in 1818. This is the version I prefer, personally. Mary rewrote it in 1831, and that version has more emphasis on fate rather than free will. Neither is hard to find and most will say “1818” or “1831” on the cover. Penguin Random House has a lovely paperback version that came out on January 16th, 2018. It has some helpful supplementary materials without being overwhelming.

“But I want one with notes and things!”

Here are my two favorite annotated editions. The Annotated Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, ed. by Leslie S. Klinger ( A | BN | K | G | AB ), is shiny and beautiful and I want to hug it. In fact, I have hugged it, repeatedly. It has wonderful illustrations, clear indicators of the changes between the 1818 and 1831 editions so you can compare and contrast, an appendix with a list of Frankenstein movies, and more. I love it. It is my precioussss.

I’m also fond of Frankenstein: Annotated for Scientists, Engineers, and Creators of All Types, by Mary Shelley, edited by David H. Guston, Ed Finn, Jason Scott Robert, Charles E. Robinson. ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) In addition to annotations, it has a collection of essays and the most helpful chronology I’ve seen so far. Plus SCIENCE.

“Hey, I want to read some fiction about Mary! I bet she had some wild times!”

I’m biased because I’m friendly with the author, but I can honestly say that Outcasts: A Novel of Mary Shelley, by Sarah Stegall was outstanding. ( A | BN | K | G | AB )

“OK, but what REALLY happened?”

Romantic Outlaws
A | BN | K | AB
Disclosure – I’ve read so many biographies of Mary that they blur together. Here are the standouts:

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, by Charlotte Gordon. So good, you guys. A wonderful biography. Highly recommend.

Young Romantics: The Shelleys, Byron, and Other Tangled Lives, by Daisy Hay ( A | BN | K | G | AB ). This book shows how important the role of community was in the creative lives of the Romantics, including Mary.

The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real-Life Dr. Frankenstein’s, and the Creation of Mary Shelley’s Masterpiece, by Roseanne Montillo ( A | BN | K | G | AB ). SCIENCE, BITCHEZZZ! Trigger warning for animal abuse because Regency and Victorian people were assholes when it came to animal welfare. It’s a fascinating book if you can get through it – some passages are hard to take.

Daughter of Earth and Water: A Biography of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, by Noel Gerson ( A ). This is just a good, solid biography.

“Heck with this, I just wanna watch a movie!”

The first thing you need to know is that most of the movies have very little in common with the book. There’s also a gazillion movies to choose from. You can narrow it down by asking yourself what you want. Do you want humor? Gore? Prestige actors? Philosophy? Horror?

Here are my personal favorites, not counting movies that are in some way inspired by Frankenstein but only indirectly (for instance, most movies about AI have Frankenstein undertones).

Frankenstein, 1931, Directed by James Whale

This movie introduced audiences to the following elements NOT seen in the book: a flat-headed monster, the castle, the lightning strike and flipping of the switch, “It’s alive!,” the mob with pitchforks, the monster being inarticulate. The cinematography is still amazing and the monster continues to break our hearts.

Bride of Frankenstein, 1935, Directed by James Whale

This has no business on this list as it has nothing to do with the book except that I just saw it and now I’m madly in love with Elsa Lanchester, who plays both Mary Shelley and The Bride so I keep proselytizing. Do you have 75 minutes for a word from our Lady and Savior, The Bride? The cinematography remains incredible and the costuming is ON POINT.

Gods and Monsters, 1998, Directed by Bill Condon

A touching but also tough story of James Whale’s last days, starring Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. We all expect greatness from Ian McKellen, but Brendan Fraser also gives an excellent performance.

Young Frankenstein, 1974, Directed by Mel Brooks.

Oh please. Like I wasn’t going to mention Young Frankenstein.

Comments are Closed

  1. Emily C says:

    Thanks Carrie! Your recent post on Castle Frankenstein totally renewed my interest in Mary Shelley, and by extension gothic and Romantic literature. Thanks for all the links!

  2. Lane V says:

    This past halloween a local theatre company performed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written by Nick Dear. None of my group had read the book and were only familiar with Hollywood versions. The play was true to source,mesmerizing, and though provoking. It made me want to read the book, but i wasn’t sure which one to get, this post very helpful.

  3. DonnaMarie says:

    You really need to add Penny Dreadful to this list. Rory Kinnear is amazing and heart breaking as he gives one of the few depictions of the monster as Shelley imagined him.

  4. Hazel says:

    I second Penny Dreadful. The series didn’t live up to its promise, but Kinnear was a perfect Frankenstein’s monster.

  5. Peggy says:

    Love this post! Thanks to you, I discovered that my free copy of Frankenstein is the 1831 version. (I could find no copyright on my ebook but checked a few “differences between the versions” websites). Can’t wait to read the 1818 version – a paper copy might even be in my future!

  6. Darynda says:

    This post makes me so happy!!! I’m working on a story in homage to Mary Shelley and her incredible imagination. How many stories survive the test of time to such a degree? Especially a debut? What an amazing journey she had. Thank you so much for all of the reading material suggestions. I’ve ordered two already. Eeeep!

  7. Steffi says:

    I wrote my master’s thesis on Gothic fiction. I tried to read FRANKENSTEIN three times … failed very time. That being said, Mary Shelley’s influence on the genre is undisputed and from what I read _about_ it (cause somehow that was easier) it’s a beautifully crafted, smart book.

    I did see Danny Boyle’s drama version of FRANKENSTEIN with Johnny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch all those years ago and it was an incredible production.

  8. Sean says:

    I would also recommend Gris Grimley’s graphic novel version of Frankenstein. Uses the original text but with some fantastically creepy illustrating.

  9. Susan/DC says:

    I too recommend the Benedict Cumberbatch/Jonny Lee Miller version where they alternated the roles of the doctor and the monster. I saw a film of the play with Cumberbatch as the monster. He was alternately heartbreaking and terrifying.

  10. Bu says:

    This is the Shelley/Frankenstein/Creature master post I didn’t know I wanted, but definitely needed–thank you! I will be referring to this throughout the year for all my S/F/C needs.

  11. Kareena says:

    Thank you for this on the magnificent Mary Shelley, it’s brilliant! I want to second the person who said it made them happy! Can I also recommend the latest Mary Shelley bit of bio published for the anniversary, “In Search of Mary Shelley” by Fiona Sampson.

  12. Maite says:

    “Frankestein: Annotated for Scientists”… and I stopped reading to order that.

    As someone who first heard of Frankestein when it showed up in “Legends of the Hidden Temple”, my approach has always been from the literature influence. It took Penny Dreadful to get me to understand that Frankestein is more than the pop culture take on him.

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