Skip to content

Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus Paperback - 2016

by Mary Wollstonecraft


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.




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 or the Modern Prometheus
  • Author Mary Wollstonecraft
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 282
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Date 2016-03-17
  • ISBN 9781530607501 / 1530607507
  • Weight 0.84 lbs (0.38 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.59 in (22.91 x 15.19 x 1.50 cm)
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus

by Mary Wollstonecraft

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781530607501 / 1530607507
Quantity Available
10
Seller
Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 28.33
SGD 17.09 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New.
Item Price
SGD 28.33
SGD 17.09 shipping to USA