Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Thank you to everyone who attended the September meeting! It was a lot of fun conversations with you all!

Our next book is chosen because it's a great October read & there is a new movie coming out about it in November!

Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818, when she was 20. Her name first appeared in the second edition, which was published in Paris in 1821.

Shelley travelled through Europe in 1815 in the area around Frankenstein Castle, where, two centuries before, an alchemist had engaged in experiments. In 1816 after thinking about this trip, Shelley was inspired to write Frankenstein after imagining a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made.

Though Frankenstein is infused with elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement, it is regarded as the first true science-fiction story. In contrast to previous stories with fantastical elements resembling those of later science fiction, the central character "makes a deliberate decision" and "turns to modern experiments in the laboratory" to achieve fantastic results. The novel has had a considerable influence on literature and on popular culture; it has spawned a complete genre of horror stories, films, and plays.

Since the publication of the novel, the name "Frankenstein" has often been used, erroneously, to refer to the monster, rather than to his creator/father.

***Also, kindly keep in mind that there are only 20 spaces open. Please think about if you are actually committed to reading the book and attending the meeting. As in my other book club, I will be tracking attendance and will be making note of no shows. I'm looking for a continuous community for this online group. Thank you so much for your cooperation!

New film adaptation available on November 2nd!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!