Percy Bysshe Shelley, as could be expected, gave Frankenstein an excellent review. He more lovingly dealt with flaws in the novel than other critics did. He was the only reviewer of the time to recognize why Frankenstein's human creation had turned to evil. Percy actually mentioned that the creature had originally been good, and was only turned evil by his poor reception by society (Shelley 185). He points out, like no other critic did, the scene where the creature introduces himself to the blind DeLacey, and is perceived a kind being. It is only when the sight-endowed DeLaceys return, that the being is again hated. Percy also points out the closing scene - one that is hard to forget - where the creature shows immense intelligence, as well as human morals and grief, in an attempt to be understood by at least one human (Shelley 186). No other critics either understood or gave any credit to this scene.
Steel engraving (993 x 71mm) for frontispiece to t...
English: Portrait of Mary Shelley
Manuscript page from Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyIt did not ease their offended state.
The Edinburgh Magazine and Literary Miscellany recognized Frankenstein's originality, and was impressed by Shelley's writing style. They had a few qualms about the book, but dealt with them in a much more fair and kind manner than most other reviewers. They noticed some writing mistakes which are commonly produced by a lack of experience, and missed the purpose of the novel, but were not too full of themselves in their more constructive criticisms. Walter Scott of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine enjoyed the novel, as did Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine. They recognized it as an original idea, and pointed out that they found it brought reflections and emotions they had not before experienced. It was like entering a whole new realm of the human mind, one whose presence was not previously known.
Bell's magazine...