Short Fiction

Mary Shelley is best known for her novel Frankenstein, but she also wrote several other works of fiction and nonfiction. This edition contains most of Shelley’s works of short fiction, published primarily in periodical and annuals.

The stories in this collection deal with themes of love, family, and grief. Shelley’s modern reputation rests largely on Frankenstein, but most of these stories don’t involve the supernatural at all, instead focusing on more human endeavors and the suffering caused by love and desire.

Included in this edition is “Mathilda,” a likely autobiographical novella written by Shelley after the death of two of her children, and considered too controversial for publication during her lifetime.