The New Annotated Frankenstein reprints both Mary Shelley’s complete novel as well as an introduction from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro that examines his personal impression of the text and other Gothic/romantic authors, a foreword from the editor, Leslie S. Klinger (an expert on Frankenstein, Dracula, and Sherlock Holmes), that studies Shelley’s biography in her historical context alongside the novel’s legacy, as well as appendices from UCLA Distinguished Professor of English Literature Anne K. Mellor examining Frankenstein in light of modern trends of genetic engineering, a chronology of the novel’s events, Percy Blysshe Shelley’s review of the novel from 1817, and further examinations of the work on stage, screen, academia, and general popular culture. Throughout are illustrations of cultural references, geographic locations, historical figures, and more along with annotations that discuss revisions to the text over time or explain references that modern audiences are unlikely to understand. For those who have read Frankenstein before, this offers insights that will deepen their understanding of the work. For newcomers, this will help answer any questions they have as they read and give them a crash course in the book’s significance. A must-add to any fantasy, horror, or 19th-century literature lover’s bookshelf! ( )

REVIEWED: The New Annotated Frankenstein
WRITTEN BY: Leslie S. Klinger
PUBLISHED: August, 2017

This book is massive. And it’s gorgeous. And it’s well written, intriguing, insightful. This is the original text of the book from the 1831 edition along with Leslie Klinger’s copious notes and over 200 illustrations. A must-have for fans of Frankenstein, or anyone looking for additional insight into this classic.

Five out of Five stars

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