The original 1818 text preserves the hard-hitting and politically-charged aspects of Shelley's original writing, as well as her unflinching wit and strong female voice. This edition also emphasizes Shelley's relationship with her mother -- trailblazing feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who penned A Vindication of the Rights of Woman -- and demonstrates her commitment to carrying forward her mother's ideals, placing her in the context of a feminist legacy.

Includes the novel, literary excerpts, reviews, a chronology, and an essay.

Introduction / Charlotte Gordon -- Suggestions for further reading / Charlotte Gordon -- Frankenstein : the 1818 text -- How to read Frankenstein / Charles E. Robinson -- Chronology / Charles E. Robinson -- Suggested further reading / Charles E. Robinson -- Introduction to Frankenstein, third edition (1831) / Mary Shelley -- The creation of Eve - Genesis 2:18-25, King James Bible -- "Prometheus" / Lord Byron -- Mary Shelley's Letter I, Hôtel de Sécheron, Geneva, May 17, 1816 -- Excerpts from A vindication of the rights of woman / Mary Wollstonecraft -- Mary Shelley's diary entry, March 19, 1815.