Subtitled, “The Science Behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” this is a really interesting mix of biography (both of Mary Shelley herself and her novel), combined with a look at the scientific achievements of the time.   The early 1800’s were a time of great scientific advances, when science itself was beginning to break into different branches.   In fact, the term, ‘scientist,’ was, in itself, new and evolved from the word ‘artist,’ to describe what someone interested in science actually was.

This book is full of such nuggets, wrapped up within Mary Shelley’s life story – from her parents, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft – her early life, with little formal schooling, but her love of reading and the stream of visitors to Godwin’s house to indulge in both business and intellectual conversation, which aroused her interest in various subjects. One of the acolytes who came to see Godwin was, of course, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Godwin’s theories about free love were obviously tested to the extreme when Shelley, already married, informed him that he hoped to form a union with his daughter.   The couple eloped, along with Mary’s step sister, Claire (in pursuit of another poet, Byron, and who, Mary would find, was very hard to shake off).

There is the story of the famous evening at Villa Diodati at Lake Geneva, in 1816, ‘the year without summer,’ when heavy rain forced Shelley and his party to stay overnight with Byron.   Byron’s proposal that they should each write a ghost story and the results of this.  Oddly, neither Byron, nor Shelley, completed the project, but Byron’s ambitious doctor, John William Polidori, who had his own literary ambitions, and Mary, took up the challenge, and two staple figures of the horror genre were born – the vampire and Frankenstein.

Alongside the biography elements of the book and the history of how the novel came to be written, as well as how it was perceived and fared once published, there is also a great deal on the scientific advances of the time.   This book will take you from early advances to chemistry, through anatomy rooms, from body snatching to the process of decay.  It is not all pleasant, but nor was the subject matter and the ideas behind Mary Shelley’s novel.  I found this a very interesting read and thought the author pitched the level just right – this was both interesting and easily understandable, even to someone without any scientific background.   I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

This book is bookended by the life of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.  From her parents who were way ahead of their time with what could be considered hippie thinking.  They instilled a forward-thinking, and love to write in their young daughter.  Mary was a huge fan of science and her husband Percy was also an author.  Most of Mary’s life was in and around author’s circle.  From her time when with Lord Byron and the beginnings of Frankenstein as a friendly competition.

The lion’s share of this book uses Victor Frankenstein as a backdrop to discuss the science of the time.  From organ transplants to the robing of graves for body parts.  There was also a huge section on the use of electricity on frogs to use on humans.  The study of electricity was very complex and misunderstood for quite some time.  Many things that scientist were trying at the time are just now being perfected.

I think the science sections of that tie into the Frankenstein story would have been better if I had read Frankenstein recently.  I haven’t read the book in many years.  So parts of the story were just interesting medical science.  Having read Mary Roach’s Stiff I was familiar with parts of this book that talks about the lucrative corpse snatching trade.  Scientist needed parts to fully explore their ideas and through corpses, they were literally just laying around.

This is an enjoyably thorough work and the attention it gives to nearly every aspect imaginable can and will can be equally enjoyed by any major fan of Shelley and her monumentally influential book, or anyone who is even the slightest bit curious on how "Frankenstein" came to be.

Insightful read on the historical meanings behind Frankenstein. Got the feeling that I have read and heard all of this before . Nonetheless good narration by an exciting writer

✦✦✦✦.5
Like Harkups last novel A is for Arsenic based on Agatha Christie and the poisons she used (link to my review), this book was filled with science.

This book went through lots of aspects including science at that time and to my great interest: things that might've inspired her.

The thing is though, Frankenstein has such a rich history because though it's science fiction, it has some bits that have been regarded as almost fact.

I learned a great deal from this book, and not all of it things I though I might learn, so to say it surprised me is an understatement. Do note that it isn't exactly a bedtime story.

So what did I think?
So as usual, I'll tell things I liked and didn't like, relating to the stars I gave:

+1 | The science. This book was stuffed to the brim with information, just like I hoped!

+1 | The book delved into inspiration: real experiments and interesting facts - also from the future since the publication of Frankenstein, which I though brought a great perspective.

+1 | Not only did it explain experiments and science, Harkup also discussed places and people, again also from later times.

+1 | Mary Shelley's life, family history and connections were presented with fascinating facts told.

+/-0.5 | The writing was gripping, but the pace, since it is scientific, won't be to everyone's liking.

All in all, I can only imagine the work that has been put into this book and I think it is vital to fans of frankenstein or to those whom are just fascinated by science.

Captivating read about science and inspiration, Harkup excelled in portraying the feelings and setting of Frankenstein. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am keenly waiting for what is yet to come!

This was an excellent look at the novel of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. It examines the procedures carried out by Victor and then finds real world examples. The book is really well written and keeps the reader interested. A really great book and well researched.

I love reading about the making of stories and characters. What's the inspiration or why did the hey write this? Reading this was very interesting and informative.

I love Frankenstein and Shelley's other works. This is a great companion read!