Frankenstein (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism)

Year 2000
Pages 484

Worth buying if: You teach or study literature, ethics, or science studies.

Skip it if: You only want a short, lightweight edition of the novel.

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Summary

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein presents Victor Frankenstein's tragic creation and the ethical, scientific, and literary debates it sparks; this edition pairs the novel with extended contemporary criticism for readers and students.

Why this book now

Ongoing debates about science, responsibility, and agency keep Shelley's exploration of creators and creations urgently relevant.

30-second preview

Two quick cards, fifteen seconds each.

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1-sentence hook

A foundational Gothic novel paired with sustained critical conversation—Shelley's Frankenstein as both story and scholarly test case.

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Best for readers who...

Good fit if you want...

  • You teach or study literature, ethics, or science studies.
  • You want primary text plus sustained critical essays in one volume.
  • If you like stylistic experimentation, the sentences are economical and exact, making small moments feel freshly observed and crucial.

Maybe skip if...

  • You only want a short, lightweight edition of the novel.
  • You seek a modernized or heavily abridged retelling.
  • If you are not into slow builds, the viewpoint rotates often, requiring you to reorient regularly.

Mood / Vibe Tags

Gothic Provocative Scholarly commentary Long read Published before 2020

Decided it fits?

Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780312227623

Worth buying if: You teach or study literature, ethics, or science studies.

Skip it if: You only want a short, lightweight edition of the novel.

Buy This Edition on Amazon

Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.

Reader guide

Cues to help you decide faster.

Reading commitment

Steady Needs some room

At roughly 480 pages, expect a two-part commitment: read the novel carefully, then allow additional time to work through the collected critical essays and notes.

What stands out here

This Palgrave Macmillan Case Studies edition emphasizes sustained contemporary criticism alongside the full text, making it suited for classroom use and in-depth study.

Best way to approach it

Start with a focused read of Shelley's novel, then tackle the essays selectively—use the criticism to deepen thematic questions about creation, guilt, and scientific responsibility.

Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780312227623

Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.