New
Books for Fans of Frankenstein
It’s alive! That’s right – with the release of Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein film adaptation, streaming on Netflix November 7, Mary Shelley’s classic novel is enjoying a resurgence of attention. This book has so many appeal factors for readers of all tastes, from fans of science fiction or atmospheric gothic tales to lovers of monster stories or thought-provoking moral dilemmas. The timeless tale is packed with nuance, making it a perfect source of inspiration for continued exploration and examination.
Whether you’re a fan of the original novel or you love one of the many delightful adaptations of the classic, there is no shortage of books to dive into. Here is a list of books for all the Frankenstein fans, featuring everything from retellings and expansions of the original story to complete reinventions inspired by the novel’s themes.
Books You Should Know About
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
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From your OverDrive DCL: Eynhallow is an unsettling and haunting tale that cleverly expands on the classic Frankenstein story while also standing on its own with a unique spin. It is 1797, and Agnes Tulloch lives on the Orkney Islands with her distant husband and their four children. Life there is desperate and brutal, and Agnes struggles to provide for her family. All that changes when a stranger comes to the island to rent an abandoned cottage. The island is buzzing with curiosity for this wealthy foreigner. Why would he come to Eynhallow? When Agnes’ husband hires her out as a cook and washerwoman to this stranger, Agnes begrudgingly goes to visit the exiled aristocrat, and she soon befriends him and discovers him to be a mercurial scientist named Victor Frankenstein who is working tirelessly and despondently on a secret project. Despite her sensibility, Agnes finds herself drawn to the man’s dark and brooding charm. She soon discovers that while he may bring her a sense of hope and possibility, he also brings unthinkable terror and destruction, along with something else – a large creature that roams the island at night.
Agnes is a compelling protagonist who will have readers immersed in her story long before Victor arrives on the page. This atmospheric novel is filled with thrills and chills that will unsettle readers late into the night. The book earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist.
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
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From your OverDrive DCL: Monstrilio is not a direct adaptation of Frankenstein, but the themes and exploration of the “monstrous” hold true to Mary Shelley’s original creation in a strange new way. Both bizarre and heartfelt, Monstrilio is a story of family, love, and acceptance that questions what it truly means to be human.
When Magos loses her eleven-year-old son Santiago, she decides to keep a piece of him for herself. Instead of saving baby teeth or cutting a lock of his hair, she cuts out his lung and keeps it in a jar. Santiago had been born with only one lung, and while it kept him alive, it was also the piece of him that led to his premature death. In Magos’ grief, and acting on maternal instinct, she follows an old folktale and nurtures the lung, feeding it and keeping it until it begins to grow. Before she knows it, the lung has formed limbs and gained sentience, and it is now Monstrilio, a carnivorous yet sweet creature she keeps hidden away in her family’s Mexico City home. Soon, though, more of the family becomes aware of his existence and must grapple with this new being together. Is Monstrilio Santiago, or is this something else entirely? As Monstrilio continues to grow and evolve, he must balance his innate impulses with his family’s care and expectations for him, and he will have to decide what type of life he is going to live.
This moving and thought-provoking debut novel is a celebration of queer stories told through multiple perspectives. It earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly.
The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss
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From your OverDrive DCL: This series has perhaps the biggest divergence from the tone of the original Frankenstein, but it pays homage to favorite characters of classic literature while reimagining their stories in an innovative new narrative with a feminist twist.
Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture. This reward would solve all of Mary’s immediate financial woes. Instead her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein. When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the daughters of literature’s most infamous scientists will team up to reclaim their own narratives, with the monsters taking on the monstrous.
This fast-paced, witty Victorian-era adventure has a loveable cast of characters with a delightful found family component, and it has great cross-over appeal for YA readers. The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, and The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club series has three books to keep readers hooked.
The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo
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From the publisher: The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Motillo brings to life the fascinating times, startling science, and real-life horrors behind Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece, Frankenstein.
Montillo recounts how—at the intersection of the Romantic Age and the Industrial Revolution—Shelley’s Victor Frankenstein was inspired by actual scientists of the period: curious and daring iconoclasts who were obsessed with the inner workings of the human body and how it might be reanimated after death.
With true-life tales of grave robbers, ghoulish experiments, and the ultimate in macabre research—human reanimation—The Lady and Her Monsters is a brilliant exploration of the creation of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s horror classic.
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi
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From the publisher: From the rubble-strewn streets of U.S.-occupied Baghdad, Hadi—a scavenger and an oddball fixture at a local café—collects human body parts and stitches them together to create a corpse. His goal, he claims, is for the government to recognize the parts as people and to give them proper burial. But when the corpse goes missing, a wave of eerie murders sweeps the city, and reports stream in of a horrendous-looking criminal who, though shot, cannot be killed. Hadi soon realizes he’s created a monster, one that needs human flesh to survive—first from the guilty, and then from anyone in its path. A prizewinning novel by “Baghdad’s new literary star” (The New York Times), Frankenstein in Baghdad captures with white-knuckle horror and black humor the surreal reality of contemporary Iraq.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
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From your OverDrive DCL: Kiersten White has become something of a master of fantastical horror, and what better route to explore that with than a dark reimaging of Frankenstein through a feminist lens?
Elizabeth Lavenza takes center stage in this tale – rescued from an abusive caregiver at age five, she is brought in by the Frankenstein family to become a companion to Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy. Elizabeth soon becomes his closest friend, confidante, and protector, making her indispensable to the family. She is rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and fine dresses, and soon she and Victor are inseparable. But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth’s survival depends on managing Victor’s dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Elizabeth will need to hone her manipulative talents and harden her calculating heart to stay alive, no matter the cost.
This suspenseful story is a riveting ride for both YA and adult readers who enjoy psychological horror. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein earned starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and The Horn Book, and it was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR and the Chicago Public Library.
Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill
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From the publisher: It is not the monster you must fear, but the monster it makes of men . . .
Mary is the great-niece of Victor Frankenstein. She knows her great uncle disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the Arctic, but she doesn’t know why or how. The 1850s are a time of discovery, and London is ablaze with the latest scientific theories and debates, especially when a spectacular new exhibition of dinosaur sculptures opens at the Crystal Palace. Mary is keen to make her name in this world of science alongside her geologist husband, Henry—but despite her sharp mind and sharper tongue, without wealth and connections their options are limited.
When Mary discovers some old family papers that allude to the shocking truth behind her great-uncle’s past, she thinks she may have found the key to securing her and Henry’s professional and financial future. Their quest takes them to the wilds of Scotland; to Henry’s intriguing but reclusive sister, Maisie; and to a deadly chase with a rival who is out to steal their secret.
A queer, feminist masterpiece inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic, Our Hideous Progeny is a sumptuous tale of ambition and obsession, of forbidden love and sabotage and a twisty Gothic adventure that may forever change your view of human nature.
Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne
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From your OverDrive DCL: The tale of Frankenstein has become so immersed in pop culture that it transcends genres – you don’t have to be a horror fan to appreciate Mary Shelley’s creation. In fact, some folks gravitate more towards its lighter adaptations and parodies, like Mel Brooks’ hilarious Young Frankenstein. Sally Thorne’s historical rom-com that reimagines Victor Frankenstein’s little sister attempting to create the perfect man is perfect for these readers looking for a lighter take on the classic tale. This love story earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, and Library Journal sums it up perfectly by writing, “Thorne surprises with this unexpectedly thoughtful gothic rom-com. Readers looking for a dash of spookiness mixed with romance and humor should add this to their must-read list.”
For generations, every Frankenstein has found their true love and equal, unlocking lifetimes of blissful wedded adventure. Clever, pretty (and odd) Angelika Frankenstein has run out of suitors and fears she may become the exception to this family rule. When assisting in her brother Victor’s ground-breaking experiment to bring a reassembled man back to life, she realizes that having an agreeable gentleman convalescing in the guest suite might be a chance to let a man get to know the real her. For the first time, Angelika embarks upon a project that is all her own.
When her handsome scientific miracle sits up on the lab table, her hopes for an instant romantic connection are thrown into disarray. Her resurrected beau Will has total amnesia and is solely focused on uncovering his true identity. Trying to ignore their heart-pounding chemistry, Angelika joins the investigation into his past, hoping it will bring them closer. But when a second suitor emerges to aid their quest, Angelika wonders if she was too hasty inventing a solution. Is fate something that cannot be influenced by science, or is Will her dream man, tailored to her in every way?
Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A. Olivas
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From the publisher: An unnamed paralegal, brought back to life through a controversial process, maneuvers through a near-future world that both needs and resents him. As the United States president spouts anti-reanimation rhetoric and giant pharmaceutical companies rake in profits, the man falls in love with lawyer Faustina Godínez. His world expands as he meets her network of family and friends, setting him on a course to discover his first-life history, which the reanimation process erased. With elements of science fiction, horror, political satire and romance, Chicano Frankenstein confronts our nation’s bigotries and the question of what it truly means to be human.
Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
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From the publisher: New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance.
Meka is used to death. After all, it’s the family business. As a newly certified mortician’s assistant at her parents’ funeral home, her days are not for the faint of heart. Luckily her boyfriend Noah isn’t squeamish, and Meka is finally feeling ready to say the three little words that will change everything.
But then tragedy strikes, and Meka’s world is torn apart. Nothing makes sense, especially the strange things start happening. Ravens are circling her home. Strangers are following her. Someone is leaving mysterious items at her door. And worst of all . . . The dead don’t seem to be staying dead.
Meka thought she understood death better than anyone. Turns out, the family business is a bit more complicated than it seems. And Meka isn’t the only one desperate to unearth their secrets . . . because the truth may be worth dying for.
If you’re interested in exploring more titles that will appeal to fans of Frankenstein, check out some of our complete recommended lists here:
Waiting for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
Monster Mash (Books Featuring Monsters)
For more great lists, check out the Recommended Lists section of the Resource Center, home of all the great lists maintained by OverDrive’s staff librarians. Lists include bestsellers, favorite genres, kids and teens, LOTE content, seasonal favorites, and more!
Thank you for joining us on this week’s round up of books for fans of Frankenstein! Reach out to your Digital Content Librarian or Account Manager for more information on how to provide the best content for your community.
About the author: Claire has worked in publicity for the arts, public libraries, and archives. At OverDrive she helps public libraries manage their collections and creates lists of the hottest titles to help her partners shop and promote their collections to their patrons. When she isn’t reading she loves to run, try new recipes (while listening to an audiobook), plan her next road trip, or hang out with her two dogs and cat. Claire is always excited to talk about a good mystery or spooky books!