Shelley's Frankenstein

by Graham Allen

Mary Shelley's classic gothic novel, Frankenstein , is one of the most widely studied novels in English Literature. Due to its key position in the canon and its wide cultural influence, the novel has been the subject of many interpretations, which require some guidance to navigate. This book offers an authoritative, up-to-date guide for students, introducing its context, language, themes, criticism and afterlife, leading them to a more sophisticated understanding of the text.

Graham Allen places Frankenstein in its historical, intellectual and cultural contexts, offering analyses of its themes, style and structure, providing exemplary close readings, and presenting an up-to-date account of its critical reception. It also includes an introduction to its substantial history as an adapted text on stage and screen and its wider influence in film and popular culture. It includes points for discussion, suggestions for further study and an annotated guide to relevant reading.

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2008

About the author

Professor Graham Allen joined the School of English in University College Cork in 1995. Professor Allen has published extensively in the fields of literary and cultural theory and on subjects within Romantic literary studies. Professor Allen is Distinguished Visiting Fellow of the London Graduate School, a member of the Advisory Board of The Oxford Literary Review, a publishing poet and a regular book reviewer for The Sunday Business Post. The title poem of The One That Got Away won the 2010 Listowel Single Poem Prize and the collection has been shortlisted for The Crashaw Prize (2013), the Fool for Poetry Prize (2014) and the Strong/Shine First Collection Prize (2015).‍

Reviews

[Jon Margetts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allen weaves together critical ideas and perspectives on Frankenstein into an informative and varied book. He majors heavily on the Godwinian novel and its influence upon Shelley's masterpiece, and adeptly explores major themes within various sections of the original text. Allen's focus upon Shelley's context is concise and useful, as his discussion surrounding adaptations of Frankenstein. The book would be a useful tool for Higher Education, as a pointer for further criticisms to read, or for A-Level students to dip in and out of in aid of their studies.