Kathryn Harkup

Making the Monster (eBook, ePUB)

The Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

A thrilling and gruesome look at the science that influenced Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

The year 1818 saw the publication of one of the most influential science-fiction stories of all time. Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley had a huge impact on the gothic horror and science-fiction genres, and her creation has become part of our everyday culture, from cartoons to Hallowe'en costumes. Even the name 'Frankenstein' has become a by-word for evil scientists and dangerous experiments. How did a teenager with no formal education come up with the idea for such an extraordinary novel?

Clues are dotted throughout Georgian science and popular culture. The years before the book's publication saw huge advances in our understanding of the natural sciences, in areas such as electricity and physiology, for example. Sensational science demonstrations caught the imagination of the general public, while the newspapers were full of lurid tales of murderers and resurrectionists.

Making the Monster explores the scientific background behind Mary Shelley's book. Is there any science fact behind the science fiction? And how might a real-life Victor Frankenstein have gone about creating his monster? From tales of volcanic eruptions, artificial life and chemical revolutions, to experimental surgery, 'monsters' and electrical experiments on human cadavers, Kathryn Harkup examines the science and scientists that influenced Shelley, and inspired her most famous creation.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury UK
• Seitenzahl: 288
• Erscheinungstermin: 8. Februar 2018
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781472933751
• Artikelnr.: 50402088

Autorenporträt

Kathryn Harkup is a former chemist turned author. She writes and gives regular public talks on the disgusting and dangerous side of science. Her first book was the international best-seller A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie, which was shortlisted for a Mystery Readers International Macavity Award and a BMA Book Award. She has also written Making the Monster: The Science of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts, and her latest book is Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond.

@RotwangsRobot

Inhaltsangabe

Preface PART 1: CONCEPTION Chapter 1: Enlightenment Chapter 2: Development
Chapter 3: Elopement Chapter 4: Nascent PART 2: CREATION Chapter 5:
Education Chapter 6: Inspiration Chapter 7: Collection Chapter 8:
Preservation Chapter 9: Construction Chapter 10: Electrification Chapter
11: Reanimation PART 3: BIRTH Chapter 12: Life Chapter 13: Death Epilogue
Appendix: Timeline of Events Bibliography Acknowledgements Index