What do you think?
Rate this book
Frankenstein and the Birth of Science
On the 200th anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein, this fascinating study explores how the real science of her times influenced Mary Shelley’s classic work of science fiction.
Mary Shelley grew up surrounded by the era’s prominent scientific thinkers, and conceived Frankenstein in a time of rapid scientific change—including debates on the reanimation of corpses and “the elixir of life.” This engrossing book offers insight into the world of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century science through the prism of Shelley’s seminal novel—the first work of science fiction ever—revealing how the monster was conceived, positing the real-life basis for Victor Frankenstein, and describing in vivid detail the experiments that might have led to the Creature’s birth. It also explores incarnations of the monster since Frankenstein was first published and modern interpretations of the “mad scientist,” while looking ahead to such scientific wonders as permanent bionic limbs and implants.
Mary Shelley grew up surrounded by the era’s prominent scientific thinkers, and conceived Frankenstein in a time of rapid scientific change—including debates on the reanimation of corpses and “the elixir of life.” This engrossing book offers insight into the world of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century science through the prism of Shelley’s seminal novel—the first work of science fiction ever—revealing how the monster was conceived, positing the real-life basis for Victor Frankenstein, and describing in vivid detail the experiments that might have led to the Creature’s birth. It also explores incarnations of the monster since Frankenstein was first published and modern interpretations of the “mad scientist,” while looking ahead to such scientific wonders as permanent bionic limbs and implants.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionScience
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 11, 2018
4 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Joel Levy
142 books64 followersJoel Levy is a writer and journalist specializing in science and history. He is the author of over a dozen books, including The Little Book of Conspiracies and Scientific Feuds: From Galileo to the Human Genome Project.
Phobiapedia
is his first book for children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 26, 2019
A really fascinating read for those who like to see the connection between different aspects of culture, in this case the developing world of science and the world of art and literature. Now I'm reading Frankenstein! I don't think I would have appreciated it without this book.
January 8, 2019
This is an unique book, part science history, part biography, part science ethic?
The book goes over the history of science spanning from 16th to 19th century that may have inspired Mary Shelly writing Frankenstein. Also explores how 'Frankenstein' had become a fixed symbol for humanity's anxiety over new development in science/technology and potential consequences.
Remember actual reading of original 'Frankenstein' was a bit of disappointment; it seems like there's no concrete story of science, but lots of anguish of Victor-creator of monster, and of the monster. However, it seems like such anguish/anxiety described in the story is the main reason, that Frankenstein's story is still alive now.
Interesting and disturbing last chapter, going over our own generation's possible Frankenstein.
"A lot of bad things humans do to each other are very specific to human nature. Behavior like becoming violent when we feel threatened, being jealous, wanting exclusive access to resources, preferring our next of kin to strangers, etc., were built into us by evolution for the survival of species. Intelligent machines will not have these basic behaviors unless we explicitly build (them) into them" -Yann LeCun
"The Monster is dangerous precisely because of his humanity; creations that do not partake of his humanity will be less dangerous, not more" 184 pp
The book goes over the history of science spanning from 16th to 19th century that may have inspired Mary Shelly writing Frankenstein. Also explores how 'Frankenstein' had become a fixed symbol for humanity's anxiety over new development in science/technology and potential consequences.
Remember actual reading of original 'Frankenstein' was a bit of disappointment; it seems like there's no concrete story of science, but lots of anguish of Victor-creator of monster, and of the monster. However, it seems like such anguish/anxiety described in the story is the main reason, that Frankenstein's story is still alive now.
Interesting and disturbing last chapter, going over our own generation's possible Frankenstein.
"A lot of bad things humans do to each other are very specific to human nature. Behavior like becoming violent when we feel threatened, being jealous, wanting exclusive access to resources, preferring our next of kin to strangers, etc., were built into us by evolution for the survival of species. Intelligent machines will not have these basic behaviors unless we explicitly build (them) into them" -Yann LeCun
"The Monster is dangerous precisely because of his humanity; creations that do not partake of his humanity will be less dangerous, not more" 184 pp
November 5, 2025
It was okay- I did learn some stuff. It's basically a history of science with allusions to Frankenstein sprinkled throughout. There is a very disturbing photo involving a dog toward the end of the book that was so bad it made me wish I had never picked up the book at all. It was totally unnecessary.
I don't really recommend this book, but if you are some kind of science scholar you may want to add it to your collection for kicks.
I don't really recommend this book, but if you are some kind of science scholar you may want to add it to your collection for kicks.
October 26, 2019
A fascinating read that covers the obvious scientific realms of biology and electricity that are relevant to Mary Shelley’s novel, but also less obvious areas of interest such as polar exploration. This book effectively combines science, history, and literature, and it makes me want to read more books like it.
January 15, 2020
Informational and entertaining. The way it is relayed makes it easy to read. I just wish it had contained color illustrations. And had mentioned more women scientists- after all, it was a woman who started the whole science fiction genre. Finally, I would have cataloged it in the 500s rather than 800s- it does contain more science than literature in it.
December 17, 2023
Not my usual type of book (non-fiction) but I'm a huge fan of Frankenstein so figured why not. And to the book's credit it kept me relatively engaged for significant periods of time and I have a much greater appreciation for Frankenstein because of it. Science is pretty cool... and also pretty horrifying
February 4, 2021
What a book! I have to shamelessly say that I’ve read this more times than book it studies. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in science and getting deeper into the times in which Mary wrote this classic.
October 6, 2018
The way this book was printed was rather odd? Random blank pages? Only printing on half the page occasionally in the middle of a chapter? Also, the referencing system bugged me
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews