'Mathilda' is a novella by Mary Shelley and is quite atmospheric and moody, with some challenging themes. This edition also provides an introductory explanation of the short story as well as additional works of the author in the appendix.

The story is actually rather intriguing, with gothic imagination, and dark plotlines.

The narrator also did an amazing job with their performance and made the story even more intense and emotional.

The short stories in the end were interesting as well, but some were not as good as others.

This review is also posted on Goodreads and Storygraph.

This audiobook contains excellent forwards around the themes of racism, incest, suicide, and colonialism that are features in Shelley's Mathilda. In addition to the forewords and the main audiobook, this recording also includes several appendixes featuring other short works by Shelley. It was a passionate and enjoyable read, with the narrator doing a wonderful job capturing the feeling Shelley put into the works.

What a spooky little novella from Mary Shelley- most famously known for Frankenstein and while you can see similarities in the writing style, this stands well on its own.

I think having some of the lesser known classics available via audio is a huge win and we should get more of those with decent narrators.

This was beautifully written and wild! The narrator was wonderful, bringing to life Shelley’s words. This is a very engaging short story, and the information provided beforehand was illuminating and added to the story!

What an interesting read. Incredibly sad, incredibly dramatic. I found it enjoyable, if a little bit plotless. The sad themes of this book were what pulled me in, and I thought that they were explored quite thoroughly in the narrator's monologues about family, love, and grief. Depressing classics are my weak spot, so this work was a great addition to my reading.

I don't think Mary Shelley is a favorite of mine, I do find her a bit long-winded, but I would rate this pretty similarly to how I rated Frankenstein.

I enjoyed the narration of this book quite a bit. She did a good job making it clear which bits were being said by what person and which things were dialogue.

I also was very interested in the introduction, which discussed this work as a metaphor for racism & sexism. After having read the book, I found that I benefitted from the discussion of the political climate of the time but definitely struggled to find some of the connections that the transcriber was discussing. Still definitely recommend not skipping!

3 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Okay wow this book had so much in it, no wonder why her father didn’t want this book published. Mary Shelley was so incredibly talented at writing gothic books, Mathilda is no exception. Incest, depression and suicide this book was just really well done. It did struggle to keep my attention at times but other than that I really enjoyed this one. (Also yay Barbados mentioned!)

Frances Butt did an amazing job at bringing this classic to life.

This was lovely - the narrator was extraordinary and really portrayed the emotions throughout the novel. The story itself felt so poignant and important. It’s a real shame that the author’s minor works aren’t as well known as Frankenstein.

I read some of the theories surrounding this & that it is actually about her father & relationship with Shelley, and listening to this having that in mind, regardless of the validity, added an extra layer of depth! Very cool!!

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for an early advance copy of this audiobook!

The Oxford World’s Classic edition of Mathilda by Mary Shelley is without a doubt the finest transcription of this forgotten classic. Shelley’s prose is on stunning display in this gothic tragedy, managing to evoke the Greek dramas and Dante while remaining legible and relevant to the modern ear. The novella folds the literary canon and elements of Shelley’s own experience into a masterful narrative that touches on themes of gender, class, and social despair.

The five appendices offer significant insight into the context and themes the novel addresses- and serve as a valuable addition to the new transcription.

The Audiobook narration, provided by Frances Butt, was exceptionally well performed: evocative, emotionally convincing, and coherent. The recording was high quality and easy to follow at a variety of audio speeds without losing its emotional depth.

Thank you HighBridge Audio and netgalley for the advance listening copy!

Wow! I didn't realize I needed to start to look to the 1800s for the weirdest, most fearlessly taboo sad girl literature. Mathilda is intense and eerie, and the prose is both gorgeous and aching.

Frances Butt's audiobook narration is divine. She captures Mathilda's melancholy like she's channeling her ghost. Highly recommend for fans of sadness, trauma, and weird girl energy.

Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.

“Mathilda” – Mary Shelley (audiobook)

Even in this lesser-known work, Mary Shelley demonstrates her remarkable ability to delve into dark, complex, and thought-provoking themes. Mathilda is a confessional novella steeped in grief, loneliness, and forbidden emotions. Shelley masterfully builds an atmosphere of inner turmoil through the voice of a young woman searching for meaning after a devastating tragedy. As with her other works, the themes here are deep, provocative, and emotionally demanding—which is exactly what I appreciated most.

The audio narration is excellent—the narrator’s voice is clear and expressive, with subtle tonal shifts when voicing male characters, making the listening experience more immersive and easier to follow. The story flows smoothly, and although there are no sound effects, that is by no means a drawback. The simplicity of the production enhances the gravity of the story and allows for deeper emotional focus.

What stood out to me most was the contrast between the protagonist’s unshaken hope and belief in healthy parental love, and the harsh reality she faces—one that is possessive, painful, and profoundly unhealthy.

I highly recommend this audiobook to lovers of classic literature, introspective fiction, and anyone unafraid to confront heavy themes such as sorrow, loss, and moral conflict. Mathilda is a short yet powerful work that leaves a lasting emotional impression.

I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.