Monstrous Progeny - A History of the Frankenstein Narratives - Lester D. Friedman and Allison B. Kavey

Oct 15, 2026

A scholarly history tracing how Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein narratives evolve across intellectual, medical, and cultural contexts. The book examines Frankenstein’s intellectual background, the medical frameworks surrounding the story, and its adaptation from page to stage, then surveys enduring film traditions through universal and Hammer movie cycles. It also analyzes transitions, translations, and transformations in later variations, concluding with an exploration of enduring monster storytelling across media, supported by notes, bibliography, and index.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages253

Reading Time6 h 30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction: Singing the Body Electric

1 In a Country of Eternal Light: Frankenstein’s Intellectual History

2 The Instruments of Life: Frankenstein’s Medical History

3 A More Horrid Contrast: From the Page to the Stage

4 It’s Still Alive: The Universal and Hammer Movie Cycles

5 Mary Shelley’s Stepchildren: Transitions, Translations, and Transformations

6 Fifty Ways to Leave Your Monster

Notes

Select Bibliography

Index

Monstrous Progeny ———————————————————————————————— ———————————————————————————————— Monstrous Progeny A History of the Frankenstein Narratives LESTER D . FRIEDMAN AND ALLISON B . KAVEY ———————————————————————————————— ———————————————————————————————— RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, AND LONDON Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Friedman, Lester D. , author. | Kavey, Allison, 1977–author. Title: Monstrous progeny: a history of the Frankenstein narratives / Lester D. Friedman, Allison B. Kavey. Description: New Brusnwick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2015047575| ISBN 9780813564241 (hardback) | ISBN 9780813564234 (pbk.) | ISBN 9780813564258 (e-book (web pdf)) Subjects: LCSH: Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797–1851. Frankenstein. | Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797–1851—Adapatations. | Frankenstein, Victor (Fictitious character)—Miscellanea. | Frankenstein’s monster (Fictitious character)—Miscellanea. | Monsters in mass media. | BISAC: PERFORMING ARTS / Film & Video / History & Criticism. | LITERARY CRITICISM / Gothic & Romance. | SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture. | LITERARY CRITICISM / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh.| LITERARY CRITICISM / Semiotics & Theory. | SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies. | LITERARY CRITICISM / Science Fiction & Fantasy. Classification: LCC PR5397.F73 F785 2016 | DDC 823/.7—dc23 LC record available at [http://lccn.loc.gov/](http://lccn.loc.gov/2015047575)[2015047575](http://lccn.loc.gov/2015047575) A British Cataloging-in-Publication record for this book is available from the British Library. Copyright © 2016 by Lester D. Friedman and Allison B. Kavey All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Please contact Rutgers University Press, 106 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. The only exception to this prohibition is “fair use” as defined by U.S. copyright law. Visit our website: [http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu](http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu)[ ](http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu)Manufactured in the United States of America For Bob Congemi, who inspired me to become a teacher —LDF For Kraken, my own monster though never my creation —ABK Something was waiting for him in the darkness, a part of himself he couldn’t deny. —Alice Hoffman, The Museum of Extraordinary Things The world will teach them about monsters soon enough. Let them remember there’s always the poker. —Terry Pratchett, Hogfather CONTENTS Acknowledgments xi Introduction: Singing the Body Electric 1 1 In a Country of Eternal Light: Frankenstein’s Intellectual History 15 2 The Instruments of Life: Frankenstein’s Medical History 40 3 A More Horrid Contrast: From the Page to the Stage 71 4 It’s Still Alive: The Universal and Hammer Movie Cycles 92 5 Mary Shelley’s Stepchildren: Transitions, Translations, and Transformations 146 6 Fifty Ways to Leave Your Monster 201 Notes 211 Select Bibliography 221 Index 229

FAQs

What is the book’s central focus regarding Frankenstein narratives?

It traces the development of Frankenstein narratives through intellectual history, medical contexts, and cultural adaptations across page, stage, and film.

How does the book treat adaptations from different media?

It examines shifts from the original text to the stage and then surveys major film cycles, including Universal and Hammer traditions, as continuing versions of the story.

What supporting materials are included for further study?

The book includes notes, a select bibliography, and an index, alongside bibliographical references.

Oct 15, 2026

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