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The New Annotated Frankenstein
The New Annotated Frankenstein | Mary Shelley
19 posts | 10 read | 6 to read
Two centuries after its original publication, Mary Shelleys classic tale of gothic horror comes to vivid life in "what may very well be the best presentation of the novel" to date (Guillermo del Toro). "Remarkably, a nineteen-year-old, writing her first novel, penned a tale that combines tragedy, morality, social commentary, and a thoughtful examination of the very nature of knowledge," writes best-selling author Leslie S. Klinger in his foreword to The New Annotated Frankenstein. Despite its undeniable status as one of the most influential works of fiction ever written, Mary Shelleys novel is often reductively dismissed as the wellspring for tacky monster films or as a cautionary tale about experimental science gone haywire. Now, two centuries after the first publication of Frankenstein, Klinger revives Shelleys gothic masterpiece by reproducing her original text with the most lavishly illustrated and comprehensively annotated edition to date. Featuring over 200 illustrations and nearly 1,000 annotations, this sumptuous volume recaptures Shelleys early nineteenth-century world with historical precision and imaginative breadth, tracing the social and political roots of the authors revolutionary brand of Romanticism. Braiding together decades of scholarship with his own keen insights, Klinger recounts Frankensteins indelible contributions to the realms of science fiction, feminist theory, and modern intellectual historynot to mention film history and popular culture. The result of Klingers exhaustive research is a multifaceted portrait of one of Western literatures most divinely gifted prodigies, a young novelist who defied her eras restrictions on female ambitions by independently supporting herself and her children as a writer and editor. Born in a world of men in the midst of a political and an emerging industrial revolution, Shelley crafted a horror story that, beyond its incisive commentary on her own milieu, is widely recognized as the first work of science fiction. The daughter of a pioneering feminist and an Enlightenment philosopher, Shelley lived and wrote at the center of British Romanticism, the exuberant, young movement that rebelled against tradition and reason and "with a rebellious scream gave birth to a world of gods and monsters" (del Toro). Following his best-selling The New Annotated H. P. Lovecraft and The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Klinger not only considers Shelleys original 1818 text but, for the first time in any annotated volume, traces the effects of her significant revisions in the 1823 and 1831 editions. With an afterword by renowned literary scholar Anne K. Mellor, The New Annotated Frankenstein celebrates the prescient genius and undying legacy of the worlds "first truly modern myth." The New Annotated Frankenstein includes: Nearly 1,000 notes that provide information and historical context on every aspect of Frankenstein and of Mary Shelleys life Over 200 illustrations, including original artwork from the 1831 edition and dozens of photographs of real-world locations that appear in the novel Extensive listings of films and theatrical adaptations An introduction by Guillermo del Toro and an afterword by Anne K. Mellor
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BC_Dittemore
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Pickpick

There are parts of Frankenstein I wish were written differently; it‘s apparent that Shelley was an inexperienced writer. But the mythology, parable, metaphor she created is superb and still holds up after 205 years.

The text of this annotated version follows the 1818 edition with the 1832 edits, along with other drafts, within the annotations. Klinger does a fantastic job covering all the bases including popular culture, academia, and much more.

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BC_Dittemore
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I enjoyed the annotations from Leslie S. Klinger in American Gods so much that I am going to make it a point to try and collect all his annotated books. Frankenstein is readily available and cheap ($22 on Amazon) and I don‘t own any other copies of it. On top of Frankenstein, he has done Dracula (OOP and a bit expensive) works by Poe, Christie, Lovecraft, and more.

Probably be a couple months before I dig into this but I‘m super excited!

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Skygoddess1
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Frankenstein is by far one of my all time favorite classics. So much so I have 7 editions and counting and my friends and family know they can get me Frankenstein items and I‘ll love them! My latest addition to my ever growing Frankenstein collection are these earrings I made after finding the charms. I absolutely love how the earrings turned out and know I will be getting a lot of wear out of them. #BookInspiredJewelry #Frankenstein

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Joshsandaker
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Pickpick

Put this down for a long time but don‘t get the wrong idea, I totally loved it. It‘s the only way I‘d recommend reading ‘Frankenstein‘. The book uses the original 1818 text, but it notes the changes in the text to the 1831 version, as well as three different drafts she had. Plus it adds clarity to the stories and poems she references...it‘s really the only way to truly understand it. Wonderful read. Also recommend Klinger‘s version of ‘Dracula‘.

2 likes2 stack adds
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Chrissyreadit
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#7days7covers day 1.
Anyone else want to join in?

sudi Wow, i've never seen this cover before but it looks great 💚 5y
83 likes1 comment
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EchoCharlie
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Happy Belated Birthday to Mary Shelley

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plemmdog
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Pickpick

Perhaps one of the most famous paragraphs in fiction! Thoroughly enjoying reading this again.

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plemmdog
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I chose Frankenstein for my October book club, considering it‘s 200 years old this year. Mary Shelley was 19 when she wrote this and had already lost a baby 2 weeks after birth. This is a gorgeous edition which tells you everything you ever needed or wanted to know...

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Chrissyreadit
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My total selfish splurge! Arrived today! It is gorgeous!

LibrarianRyan Nice. I didn‘t no there was a New annotated version. Wonder how it differed from the old annotated version. 6y
Chrissyreadit @LibrarianRyan not sure but this book is so beautiful! 6y
91 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Joshsandaker
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Powell‘s haul.

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SarahSaysRead
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Kitty paws = not very conducive to reading. 😑📖😼

#LittenKitten #TraLaFrankenstein #currentlyreading

2BR02B Very considerate (by cat standards) to obstruct your view with paws only. Mine like to sit dead center of whatever book I happen to be reading. 7y
rubyslippersreads Lovely kitty paws. 😸 7y
32 likes2 comments
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wen4blu
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First up for #LitsyPartyofOne is finishing my Halloween read. The book contains lots of interesting information, but I keep finding myself lost in all the footnotes. 😕

@Ambrosnazzy

JanuarieTimewalker13 Ooooh!!! Ok, I'll have to get this out when I finally read Frankenstein. I like Klinger's work!! Thank you for posting this! 7y
50 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Joshsandaker
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Always love Leslie S. Klinger‘s notes.

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Joshsandaker
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*Finally* got this from the library today after having a pending hold for like a month. Just got through the lengthy foreword and note on the text, and thus have technically just started the story but I‘m already enjoying Leslie S. Klinger‘s wonderful annotations. I loved his ‘New Annotated Dracula‘, so I‘m sure I‘ll love this as well. #CurrentRead

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aeeklund
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Happy Birthday, Mary Shelley!! You were one wicked smart gal. 🎉🎉⚡️⚗️📗💀

batsy And only around 19 when she wrote this, I believe... Truly amazing 🙌 7y
38 likes1 comment