The Original Frankenstein

It's hard to review a work of such brilliance as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Nearly two hundred years after its publication, it still outstrips any of the novel or film derivations it spawned. Its focus is a scientist who defies God by taking upon himself the creation of a man. Because he, himself, is only a man, his work is clumsy and derivative (that is; the man that becomes the scientist's raw material was originally made by God). What is the created man's life like once he's animated? And what does he think of his "creator"? The novel takes on so many questions that are still being debated today: How far can science ethically go? What is our relationship to our Maker? Brilliant. Brilliant.

Once you've read Frankenstein, read into the lives of Mary Shelley and her famous friends, and that of her famous parents (her mother was an outspoken feminist and a prolific writer).

“The Original Frankenstein: Two New Versions, Mary Shelley’s Earliest Draft and Percy Shelley’s Revised Text” , edited by Charles E. Robinson, has two parts: the first is the modified version, called “Mary (with Percy Shelley)”. The second part is the earlier version, “Mary Shelley”. The pages of the second part is tinted slightly darker, which is obvious if you look at the book from the side.

So why would there be a difference between the 1818 and 1835 versions of “Frankenstein”, and why is it a big deal? Well, let’s start with the story of how “Frankenstein” came to be written in the first place. Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (1797-1851) fell in love with Percy Bysshe Shelley, the poet (1792-1822). She was 16. Not only that, Percy Bysshe Shelley was still married at the time. So the two lovers lived together (meanwhile having children together also) for four years until Percy’s wife committed suicide. Then Mary and Percy tied the knot just a couple weeks later. Nice, huh? Anyway, Mary and Percy were good friends with Lord Byron (another poet). During a summer holiday at Lord Byron’s house (when Mary was still Percy’s mistress), the house guests staying there came up with a challenge. Each were to write a good, scary story; and then share it with each other. Out of this fun time, “Frankenstein” is the only story to have reached posterity.

Apparently, ”Frankenstein” started out shorter than it is now, but Percy encouraged Mary to embellish it further, and recommended some changes. Because of his editing and suggestions, some parts reflect his own writing style rather than Mary’s. Among other suggestions to the book, he suggested changes to the personality of the “Frankenstein” monster. Percy also played a large part in getting the book initially published.

This particular edition is very useful in comparing the two different versions of "Frankenstein". When people read "Frankenstein", they might be reading either the earlier or older version without realizing there is more than one version. ( )