Making the Monster

Kathryn Harkup weaves the life of the creator of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, and the science that surrounded the creation of a monster.
Mary Shelley was young when she wrote what would become a classic of literature.
Kathryn writes of Mary Shelley’s life but also explains the science that would have been available when the novel was written.
This book definitely gives one a better understanding of so many aspects of electricity and medical advancement, just to name a few areas of science that are discussed.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that wanted to take a closer look behind the science of Frankenstein.

This book seems as cobbled together as the eponymous creature in its title. Nevertheless, the author’s research into such macabre topics as grave robbing, electrical reanimation of corpses, and survival time of severed heads will be fascinating to readers with strong stomachs. In addition, a partial biography of early feminist, and precocious writer Shelley is provided as well as the critical response of Victorian England to her novel which is compared to the familiar Hollywood version. Readers wishing to pursue any of the book’s diverse threads in more detail may refer to Harkup’s attached bibliography.

….. the fascinating and often horrifying story of the pioneers and screwballs who did what was necessary or deludedly or insanely believed was necessary to give modern medical science an understanding of life, death, and the functioning of the body. Often weirder than anything Victor Frankenstein could have thought up, although some in this book clearly inspired Mary Shelley, or were perhaps iinspired by her….

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and well written. It covered many subjects but is a great springboard into more in-depth study…or just an interesting read.

A fascinating look at the history of science as it pertains to how Frankenstein’s monster would have been created. An exciting read. Equally appealing for science and history buffs. Really held my interest throughout.

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