Review by Booklist Review
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has never been out of print, but even more remarkably, its central themes, issues, and concerns are still as relevant today as they were when it was first published 200 years ago. The how and why is the central question physicist Perkowitz and film expert von Mueller posed to a variety of scholars. The responses are organized into a volume aimed at all Frankenstein fans, from casual to cosplay. Readers will encounter essays from as wide a range of angles as traditional literary criticism, to discussions of Frankenstein-based toys and their effect on childhood development, to an essay by scientists about their government-funded work on the molecular basis of life. The overall effect is a multifaceted read that is thought provoking and highlights the influence of the original text into totally unique corners. And, with an extensive bibliography, the book can also be a guide to those who want to delve deeper. For maximum impact, consider pairing it with 2017's excellent The New Annotated Frankenstein.--Spratford, Becky Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The legacy of Mary's Shelley's Frankenstein is celebrated in this respectful anthology of 13 essays that explore the significance of the novel 200 years after it was first published. The essays are divided into three sections concerned with the novel's historical context, many extraliterary adaptations, and contemporary scientific relevance. Catherine Ross Nickerson and Laura Otis provide excellent close readings of the novel that illuminate, respectively, the foundations of Victor Frankenstein's rashness as a scientist and his irresponsible abandonment of his creation. The book's longest section, concerned with Frankenstein-inspired media, features interviews with Mel Brooks (director and cowriter of Young Frankenstein) and John Logan (creator of Penny Dreadful) and an insightful essay in which editor Von Mueller notes that, over the course of a century, cinematic adaptations have deviated so much from their source "that an attempt at restoration is almost revolutionary." The last, briefest section includes an essay from editor Perkowitz, a scientist, who places Frankenstein in the context of enduring concerns about the creation of artificial life. The selections range in tone from pop-culture journalism to scholarly appraisals, and though they come across as a scattered mix, they cumulatively make a fine case for the enduring value of Shelley's timeless tale. Agent: Laura Wood, Fine Print. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Review by Library Journal Review
Perkowitz (physics emeritus, Emory Univ; Empire of Light) and Von Mueller (film studies, Emory Univ.), the editors of this title, feel Mary Shelley's Frankenstein deserves new attention on the occasion of its 200th birthday. To that end, they've marshaled an array of essays and interviews from various luminaries and organized them into three main areas: "The Roots and Themes of Frankenstein"; "The Monster, the Media, and the Marketplace"; and "The Challenges of Frankenstein: Science and Ethics." The roots/themes section gives a well-rounded grounding, delving into literary analysis as well as scientific context, while the science/ethics section bookends the volume with grounded speculation regarding future research. The meat of the volume is in the middle, the monster in the media and marketplace, and the jewel in this very enjoyable read is an interview with Mel Brooks about the making of Young Frankenstein. VERDICT Readers fond of Shelley's original work, as well as those who enjoy consuming the culture it's spawned and influenced, will find this a book to savor, and despite edited compilations not being the usual choice for book groups, this could be a stellar choice for any pop-culture savvy group that's recently worked with Shelley's title. Recommended.-Audrey Snowden, Milford Town Lib., MA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's legendary science fiction novel, Frankenstein, this anthology contains 13 essays that celebrate and investigate the work and its cultural legacy. Penned by scholars, artists, filmmakers, scientists, and others, the entries are grouped into three broad subject areas: Shelley's original text and its thematic roots, contemporary media interpretations of the story, and how Frankenstein explores science and ethics. One of the collection's strengths is its examination of visual iconography of various media adaptations, including Mel Brooks's 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein and James Whale's classic 1931 film, which starred Boris Karloff as the monster. Indeed, the volume gives equal attention to Shelley's novel and Whale's movie, which is arguably more firmly embedded in popular culture as the "true" Frankenstein narrative. While this title is a fine example of the ways in which multiple layers of meaning can be parsed from a single text, it is disappointing that the views represented are overwhelmingly male and Western. A broader diversity of voices and/or cross-cultural and feminist analysis would have been welcome. -VERDICT Of interest to advanced students of literature, media, popular culture, and especially film.-Kelsy Peterson, Forest Hill College, Melbourne, Australia © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
